RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Peer Knowledge Networking Groups Facilitate Social Connections, Information Sharing, and Collective Action
JF American Journal of Enology and Viticulture
JO Am J Enol Vitic.
FD American Society for Enology and Viticulture
SP 0770013
DO 10.5344/ajev.2026.25056
VO 77
IS 1
A1 Hobbs, Malcolm B.
A1 Fendell-Hummel, Hannah G.
A1 Cooper, Monica L.
YR 2026
UL http://www.ajevonline.org/content/77/1/0770013.abstract
AB Background and goals Peer knowledge networking groups connect growers, facilitate knowledge dissemination, and promote cooperation. Our goals were to document the structure, function, and impacts of such groups in California.Methods and key findings We interviewed the coordinators of eight groups and surveyed their members. Qualitative analysis of the interviews identified challenges of operating these groups, strategies to overcome them, and positive impacts. Challenges were recruitment, membership, leadership, and group processes. Positive impacts were increased knowledge sharing, social connections, practice adoption, pressure for regulatory change, future resilience, and reduced pest and disease pressure. Member survey data found that members established relationships, participated in group projects, adopted practices, and worked with their neighbors to coordinate practices and share expertise, data, and resources. A social network analysis of 249 individuals communicating about vineyard pest and disease management in Napa County illustrated such groups’ central importance. Members scored higher on centrality measures compared to non-members, indicating that they communicate with more network actors and are more important intermediaries for information exchange. This difference was significantly magnified for members who joined multiple groups and transcended differences based on job role.Conclusions and significance In this work, we illustrate the positive impacts of the groups we studied, describing their capacity to establish a network of participants, provide a forum for continued engagement among members, and support the resilience of regional agricultural operations. Practical strategies for establishing and coordinating peer knowledge networking groups, as well as insights relevant to future efforts for expanding agricultural networks and harnessing their potential to engage growers in collective responses, are also suggested.