You are implementing on-farm research, but how do you share the results locally or even regionally? How do you share the economic value of the research through reporting results, hosting field days for youth or the agricultural community? Moreover, how do you evaluate the impact of your research? All those resources and more below.
Economic evaluation of cover crops in Midwest row crop farming: Final report by Dr. Alejando Plastina, Iowa State University for NC SARE
Two USDA programs from which eligible farmers and ranchers can receive financial assistance soil health practices on working lands are the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). To locate state specific programs, link to your state’s NRCS website, and click on the “PROGRAMS” tag.
Some states offer soil health cost share programs for soil health or cover crops. Check with your state’s department of agriculture, department of environmental quality, or department of natural resources.
Soil health or cover crop cost share may be accessible locally through a soil and water conservation district, natural resource district, or commercial grain buyer.
Ohio State Ag Crops Report Template (Word Format) and sample reports
Practical farmers sample research reports
University of Nebraska On-Farm Research sample reports
USDA SARE Farmer Field Day Toolkit includes:
- Tips for a Successful Field Day
- Suggested Timeline
- Working with the Media
- Creating Press Releases and PSAs
- Capturing the Event with Video
- Downloadable Tools and Templates
Want to share the toolkit at a workshop or other event? Download it as a 16-page PDF.
Soil Quality Measures for On-Farm Demonstration
- Soil Quality Lessons and Videos for high school youth includes the next four resources (shown in the tabs below) plus many additional products on demonstrating soil properties and quality.
| NRCS Guide | Overview | Test |
| Soil Glue | https://youtu.be/zrE1QGdJ2gY | |
| Soil Organic Matter | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-M23q6Hw58 | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iYV0zzChzs |
| Soil Infiltration | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFf614XOiQQ | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iz415J3AOI4 |
| Soil Respiration | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=be51efbavTo | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjnCf0weSUQ |
- Tighty Whities soil microbial demonstration introduction video , results after two months video and fact sheet.
- Physical estimates section in Section 11 of soil quality kit guide manual “Soil Physical Observations and Estimations”
- Using Tea Bags to Assess Soil
- Iowa State University Soil Health Management Manual, Field Guide and Assessment Card
- Evaluation tool for in-door meeting sharing results of multiple OFR projects (Word or PDF format)
- Generic evaluation tool for cropping systems educational workshop or field day (Word format)