Farmer-Run Research Organization for Southern New England

2004 Annual Report for LNE01-143

Project Type: Research and Education
Funds awarded in 2001: $167,660.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2005
Matching Non-Federal Funds: $59,921.00
Region: Northeast
State: Connecticut
Project Leader:
Thomas Morris
University of Connecticut

Farmer-Run Research Organization for Southern New England

Objectives/Performance Targets

1. Annual creation of 4 farmer-run research groups of 3 to 10 farmers each. These groups will be formed from contact with 300 to 400 producers in CT, and MA.

In 2004, five farmer-run research groups conducted field trials. Each group involved between 3 and 5 farmers. The groups were: 1) hen manure-commercial fertilizer comparison, 2) manure stacking to reduce N leaching, 3) fish emulsion as a fertility amendment; 4) alternative soil nitrogen tests; and 5) vacuum grass silage group (in this group only 2 farmers collected data in 2004). All of these groups were continuing studies from the previous year. No new groups were created in 2004 because of the uncertainty of future funding, and concerns about the long-term negative implications of a participatory activity being abruptly terminated.

2. Formation of a farmer research organization in the southern New England region.

The plan called for two to four farmers coordinating the on-farm group in their areas, and 10 to 16 farmers who are active members within the research groups. The organization would submit at least two proposals, one to SARE and one to a granting agency other than SARE (likely a non-profit group interested in adult education), in year three to support their research and education programs.

An organization has not yet been formalized, but farmer leadership (3 individuals) is emerging as anticipated. Several farmers have begun to represent the project and to explain the participatory research approach to solving problems on farms to outsiders. Fifteen farmers are very active participating fully in their groups and attending every annual meeting. Thirteen other farmers have participated at lesser levels. Proposals were submitted to NESARE and to USDA-NRI for the initiative to continue and expand. A proposal has not yet been submitted to a foundation.

Accomplishments/Milestones

1: Contact with 300 farmers through 15 informational meetings and distribution of project fact sheets.

Results: Outreach for the project was deliberately reduced in 2004, because of the uncertainty of future funding. However, outreach activities, including two field days, were attended by about 100 farmers. One field day showed results from the hen manure project, and one showed results from the manure stacking experiments. The hen manure field day was planned and implemented with an agronomist from a local fertilizer company. Our annual meeting of the Farmer Research Group network in February 2004 resulted in exchange of information among the farmers of different research groups and some visiting farmers. A farmer panel presented the project results and the concepts of the participatory approach to solving problems on farms at the National SARE conference in Burlington, VT to an audience of approximately 60 people, one half of which were farmers. Mailing of the project updates reached over 400 dairy farmers. A web-page for the project was created as result of a request by project outsiders.

2: 75 farmers initiate contact with project in year 1.

Results: More than 75 farmers were contacted as scheduled in Year 1, in Year 3 numerous farmers and field agents contacted the project, most looking for results of the farmer groups or with new research ideas. A few farmers joined groups, but new groups were not formed.

3: 40 farmers hold meetings with project about developing multi-farm research trial.

Results: Conversations were held with approximately 30 farmers about developing research trials. New groups were not formed in 2004, and outreach was curtailed, because of concerns about project sustainability.

4: 20 farmers agree to participate in a research partnership. Within these 20 farmers there will be 4 to 5 groups with different interests.

Results: In 2004, 19 farmers (in 5 groups) agreed to participate in research groups.

5: 16 farmers implement research trials (4 groups).

Results: In 2004, 15 farmers in 5 groups designed and conducted experiments, and collected data from their field trials.

6: 5 field days conducted by farmers.

Resul;ts: Two field days were held in 2004. A hen manure group farmer organized one in conjunction with an industry field day; another was organized by a project assistant with a farmer. Only two field days were organized and not the five we were had planned because at the 2003 annual meeting farmers decided they did not want to have extensive outreach or field days until they had more concrete results (see below).

7: Annual meeting of 65 farmers: 40 from original group plus 25 new farmers.

Results: The project wide annual meeting was held in February 2004. Twenty-six farmers participated. In consultation with active farmers, it was decided not to invite non-participating farmers (those who had not been active in a research group) because of the qualitative level of the discussion of research results and experiences. The project leader invited outside farmers interested in one group because of demand by those farmers. This action had mixed results, changed the dynamics of the meeting, and did not advance the project. Consequently, based on the direct request of participating farmers and the experience of 2004, outside farmers (farmers who have not participated in a research group) have not been invited to the upcoming 2005 annual meeting.

8: Distribution of results of 4 group trials (16 farms) in a newsletter.

Results: A one-page annual update was widely distributed in early spring 2004. A fall 2004 update has been less widely distributed. (See it on www.smallfarm.org/frgn)

9 and 10: Formation of next season’s groups, and selection of new research topics Sequence continues in years 2, 3 and 4 with a 60% retention rate of experienced farmers and the addition of new farmers to establish at least 5 group trials (20 farms) in year 3.

Results: Five groups continued field activities in 2004. Topics remained the same, some changes in measures and protocols in 3 of the groups. Three new additional farmers joined the existing groups in 2004. Two farmers left groups, one because of time demands, one because he felt the research group had already answered his question (this farmer is rejoining the project in 2005).

11: Leadership emerges in year 3 and 4 with 3 to 6 farmers creating a formal non-profit organization.

Results: Farmer leadership is emerging, but a formal organization was not created in 2004.

12: Two proposals submitted by the nonprofit organization.

Results: Three proposals were prepared and two were submitted in 2004 to obtain continued funding for this project.

Milestones for Outreach, Farmers

1. 1000 farmers read the research results of the farmer research organization

2. 300 farmers attend field days

3. 200 farmers use farmer research information in a decision

4. 150 farmers try a new practice based on farmer-research

5. 30 farmers adopt a recommended practice based on farmer-run research

6. 15 farmers become actively involved in the farmer research organization

Report on outreach to farmers: Final results of the five active groups are not yet available. However there is wide and continuing interest in the findings of several of the research groups (particularly vacuum grass silage and manure stacking). In fact, discouraging farmers from adopting practices based on preliminary results has been one of the project’s unforeseen challenges.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

The outcome of this project has not yet been attained, as we have not yet developed a sustainable Farmer Research Organization for Southern New England. Our project time frame was probably too short for this goal. We will describe the positive outcomes, technical breakthroughs, research findings leading to BMP’s, farmer engagement and empowerment, and a sustainable farmer research network in our final report.

Collaborators:

Sue Ellen Johnson

New England Small Farm Institute
Stephen Herbert

University of Massachusetts