The community challenge : the learning response

This article narrates a story that has its origins in three strategic decisions within a small agricultural polytechnic located on the urban/rural fringe of Australia's largest city. It is a story which arises out of the integrated thoughts and actions of an academic community, which, tired of its marginal status, decided in the 1970s to change its focus from production agriculture to responsible rural development; to change its emphasis from a teaching approach based on courses to one of learning based on projects; and to change its prevailing reductionist paradigm to embrace an holistic one. In this way, the Hawkesbury Agricultural College committed itself to the development of learning communities across rural Australia.