Creative Conversations: The Un-Meeting as an Approach to Agricultural Extension Communication

Authors

• Jessica R. Spence, Virginia TechFollow
• Eric K. Kaufman, Virginia Tech
• Megan M. Seibel, Virginia Tech
• Jean A. Parrella, Virginia Tech
• Crystal Tyler-Mackey, Virginia Tech
• Benjamin B. Grove, Virginia Tech
• Bolane Adebayo, Virginia Tech
• Olamide Olowoyo, Virginia Tech
• Sonika Poudel, Virginia Tech
• Stephanie Zhu, Virginia Tech
• Michael Gutter, Virginia Tech

Volume

64

Issue

2

Abstract

The agricultural industry increasingly faces complex challenges that require diverse stakeholder input, and traditional meeting approaches often limit engagement and perpetuate top-down dynamics that can inhibit effective problem-solving. This article explores the ``un-meeting'' format as an alternative, highlighting its ability to foster inclusive, participant-driven discussions that encourage collaborative brainstorming and actionable outcomes. Based on our experience with a statewide agriculture summit, we discuss the principles underlying un-meetings, the facilitation process, and the practical implications for Extension professionals. Recommendations include the importance of knowledgeable facilitators, a large team for effective management, and limiting session cycles to maintain focus and depth in discussions.

Authors’ Contribution Statement

Jessica R. Spence wrote the original draft of the manuscript. Eric K. Kaufman supervised the project and reviewed and edited the manuscript. Megan M. Seibel, Jean A. Parrella, Crystal Tyler-Mackey, Benjamin B. Grove, Bolane Adebayo, Olamide Olowoyo, Sonika Poudel, and Stephanie Zhu critically reviewed and edited the manuscript. Michael Gutter conceptualized the study and designed the methodology. All authors read and approved the final manuscript and accept responsibility for its content.

Data Availability

No datasets were generated or analyzed during the current study.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Spence, J., Kaufman, E., Seibel, M., Parrella, J., Tyler-Mackey, C., Grove, B., Adebayo, B., Olowoyo, O., Poudel, S., Zhu, S., & Gutter, M. (2026). Creative Conversations: The Un-Meeting as an Approach to Agricultural Extension Communication. Journal of Extension, 64(2), Article 24. https://doi.org/10.66752/1077-5315.5750