1991 Annual Report for ANC91-005
A National Conference on Participatory On-Farm Research and Education for Agricultural Sustainability
Summary
Rationale:
While agricultural research and education were once the near-exclusive domain of state and
federal organizations and product-based companies, many non-profit and community-based
groups are now involved. Many of these new programs are directed by farmers, and much of this
activity occurs on farmers' fields in real-world situations. Concurrent with the increase in
on-farm research and demonstrations has been a growing interest in the methodology, credibility,
and impact of this approach.
Objectives:
The overall purpose of the conference was to explore a new model for agricultural research and
extension education which includes farmers, consumers, public interest groups, agricultural
industry, universities and other educational agencies as partners or co-learners in the
development and sharing of knowledge. The specific objectives of the project were:
1) Increase awareness of the need for a working model for sustainable agricultural research and
education based on partnership among co-learners.
2) Improve understanding of appropriate methodologies for conducting sustainable agricultural
research and extension education programs in an on-farm environment.
3) Improve understanding of the role farmers and community members play in the development
of new knowledge.
Methods:
A national conference was held in Champaign, Illinois, on July 30-August 1, 1992. The meeting
was sponsored by SARE, the Agricultural Research Institute, the Illinois Stewardship Alliance,
and the University of Illinois. It was held in conjunction with the North Central Regional
Meeting of the American Society of Agronomy and the annual meeting of the North Central
Regional Research Committee, Evaluating Sustainable Agriculture Production and Marketing
Systems. Approximately 180 farmers, industry representatives, government agency workers,
educators and researchers registered for the conference. In addition, about 150 members of the
American Society of Agronomy participated during the first day of the meeting, which was
organized as a joint educational session.
There were seven invited formal presentations, three in-depth workshops, and 36 submitted
abstracts that were published in the proceedings (14 of these were accepted for oral presentation).
A 249-page proceedings was published prior to the conference and was available to all
registrants. In addition, the proceedings was made available in electronic form through the
national Sustainable Agriculture Network. A video tape of several of the key sessions was
developed for distribution at a later date. Also, 35 people registered for the post-conference tour,
which was hosted by the Illinois Stewardship Alliance On-farm Research and Demonstration
Program.
Results:
This conference has improved awareness and understanding of how the participatory model can
be used to develop new knowledge through research, and to share that knowledge with a wider
community through effective education programs. The participants in the conference were
extension educators, applied research scientists working with sustainable agriculture groups, the
farmer leadership of sustainable agriculture organizations, crop and pest management
consultants, and research and development personnel from agricultural industry.
Impact:
It is possible that the conference has resulted in improved understanding and enhanced dialogue
among groups with diverse agricultural interests. The conference focused national attention on
the need for a research and education paradigm that changes the current uni-directional model of
knowledge generation and delivery. The intent was to make educators trained in the reductionist,
top-down research and education paradigm more aware of an alternative means of doing
business. It is difficult to know if anyone changed their mind about research and educational
methodologies.
Future Recommendations:
Recommendations for improvement of conferences organized in a participatory mode:
1) The length of some invited presentations limited the opportunity to engage in meaningful
discussion among the conference participants. More time must be scheduled for interaction.
2) A conference on participatory agricultural research needs a more balanced program. There
were not enough farmers on the program or as participants in the conference.
3) Although it was recommended, we do not favor having separate sessions for farmers. We
believe this would only serve to maintain the division between farmer and academic researchers.
4) There is a need for more participation by social scientists and community leaders.
5) More small sessions are needed to allow meaningful interaction among the participants.