Farmer research education program

Farmer research education program

Summary

This project provides training to facilitate farmer research. The course is directed towards Extension Educators and other agricultural professionals directly working with farmers in Maine, New Hampshire and neighboring states. Project activities include workshops, on-farm research projects, farm tours, and the development of communication tools. A series of 2-day workshops are being conducted covering topics such as: how to work with farmers to translate production and conservation problems into researchable questions, how to design experiments that are scientifically sound yet manageable, and how to analyze on-farm experimental data.

All participants in the course are working with farmers in their region to develop and implement farmer research projects. These projects will serve as hands-on learning experiences for project participants. Workshops are being held in conjunction with each phase of carrying out these projects in order to discuss and solve real-world problems as they arise. Workshops are in modular form so that professionals not able to participate in the entire series will receive training in one or more critical components of farmer research. We use a range of experiential learning techniques designed to teach integrative skills needed when dealing with the complex issues in farmer research. Participants work in diverse teams which include experienced farmers as well as other qualified on-farm research practitioners.

Farm tours to project sites will highlight research designs, findings, and the farmer research process. A newsletter and website are being developed to disseminate results from farmer research projects, promote the innovative research approach and issues throughout the region, and remain in contact with farmer research programs.

Objectives/Performance Targets

20 Agricultural support professionals, in partnership with at least 35 farmers, will complete an on-farm research project, and incorporate the results into their educational programming. 17 of the 35 participating farmers will change a production practice based on their on-farm research.

Accomplishments/Milestones

Milestones

120 Educators and 500 farmers from Maine, New Hampshire and surrounding states will learn about farmer research and our project at regional meetings, trade shows and field days.

60 Educators and 40 farmers will ask for more information about farmer research and will learn of other resources and contacts.

40 agricultural Educators will participate in one or more of the program modules and integrate elements of the farmer research approach into their outreach program.

30 Educators will initiate an on-farm research project and gain experience in conducting research with farmers.

20 Agricultural support professionals, in partnership with at least 35 farmers, will complete an on-farm research project, and incorporate the results into their educational programming. 17 of the 35 participating farmers will change a production practice based on their on-farm research.

Accomplishments

We have been advertising this project to educators in all the northeastern states through SARE’s email list and newsletter. As a result, we have attracted participants in our workshops from Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Vermont. Farmers have been contacted through short talks at field days, meetings and trade shows. We have reached our goal of having 40 educators attend a workshop earlier than expected, with 42 educators attending one or both of the workshops held so far. Forty-five educators have subscribed to a listserve that gives regular updates on the project and provides a forum for discussion. Attendees at either of the workshops have been asked to submit a proposal for a farmer-led research project that is due February 1st. Theses projects provide an opportunity to use the principles discussed during the workshops. A workshop will be offered in the fall of 2004 to analyze results from the projects and discuss how we go forward with creating a regional network of farmer research groups.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

Assessment of outcomes is scheduled to start in 2004.

Collaborators: