Training in Alternative Research Strategies for Sustainable Farming Systems

Training in Alternative Research Strategies for Sustainable Farming Systems

Summary

This project will provide a training program for NC Cooperative Extension agents, other professional agriculturists, students, and farmers in principles and practices of participatory research in sustainable farming systems. The training series will be offered as a three credit, graduate level class. Participants will learn how to plan, design, implement, and evaluate locally relevant, farmer-initiated, participatory on-farm research projects that address sustainable agriculture issues and concerns in their communities. As part of the training, teams of farmers and agents will implement on-farm tests that makes credible comparisons of sustainable agricultural practices. Trainees will train other interested farmers to conduct on-farm research. Collaborators include NCSU, NCA&TSU, the Rural Advancement Foundation International USA, the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, UNC-Greensboro, and farmers.

Objectives
1.) Participants will learn how to plan, design, implement, and evaluate locally relevant, farmer-initiated, participatory on-farm research projects that address sustainable agriculture issues and concerns in their communities. Participants will include Extension agents, NCDA&CS regional agronomists, NRCS field staff, farmers, and other interested individuals. Interdisciplinary teams recruited from farmers participating in the RAFI Peanut Project, NCSU and NCA&TSU, state and federal agricultural agencies, and non-governmental agriculture-affiliated organizations will assist participants in these endeavors. Participant teams (agent/farmer) will implement an on-farm test that makes credible comparisons of sustainable agricultural practices.

2.) The training will be structured as a graduate level class offered at North Carolina State University. Extension agents will enroll in the class and upon successful completion of the required course work and field lab project (an on-farm experiment), receive credits that will meet professional development requirements and contribute toward completion of graduate degree requirements.

3.) Agents, farmers, and other participants, working individually or in teams, will train other interested farmers to conduct on-farm research. The training will take place at farms, on-farm research sites, and the annual CFSA Sustainable Agriculture Conference (SAC). An interdisciplinary advisory team will provide support for that activity. Results of research projects and observations about experimental methods will be shared with producers who wish to adopt demonstrated practices or experiment using demonstrated methods.

4.) Farmer-participants will meet to share information from, experience with, and feedback on the on-farm research training process. At these farmer-to-farmer sessions, participants will evaluate potential social, economic, and environmental consequences of the implementation of sustainable on-farm research project results and methods.

Collaborators: