Should I host on-farm research?

Dry crusted soilWhen considering whether or not to host on-farm research there are a lot of things to think about. For example, how do you find the right farmer cooperator for your particular project? What should farmers consider when deciding whether or not to host on-farm research? What on-farm research protocols should you consider? Are their funding opportunities for on-farm research? Get the answer to these questions and more below!

LEAVE US YOUR SUGGESTIONS to help us improve this page!

Farmer CooperatorsSound Research DesignFarmer ChecklistSample OFR ProtocolsResearch Funding
University of Nebraska – Grower’s Guide to On-Farm Research

Practical Farmers – What is expected of a farmer?

Iowa Soybean Association – Guide to On-Farm Replicated Strip Trials

  • Need for On-Farm Research (page 4)
  • Basics of On-Farm Trials (page 6)
Replication and Randomization Fact Sheet: Replicated Comparisons vs. Side by Side Comparisons

Focuses on replicated vs side by side trials (2.5 minutes)

 https://youtu.be/RgFDJjvFmds

 

 From the “Understanding Ag Research” Tool Package for Extension Educators, 2017 NC-ANR Academy. S. Bauder, SDSU Extension; L. Stahl, U of MN Extension; J. Thomas, UNL Extension, and J. Coltrain, formerly KSU Extension. These resources resulted from their participation in the 2017 North Central ANR Academy sponsored by the Extension Deans/Directors of the 12 North Central states. Thanks to John, Lizabeth, Sara, and Josh for sharing these resources.On-Farm Research: Tips on Making Your On-Farm Trial Comparison Fair – University of Minnesota
Setting Up an On-Farm Research Trial Fact Sheet: Setting up an On-Farm Research Trial
Focuses on selecting a doable research question (2.5 minutes)		 https://youtu.be/TJLuuiOzIs8 From the “Understanding Ag Research” Tool Package for Extension Educators, 2017 NC-ANR Academy. S. Bauder, SDSU Extension; L. Stahl, U of MN Extension; J. Thomas, UNL Extension, and J. Coltrain, formerly KSU Extension. These resources resulted from their participation in the 2017 North Central ANR Academy sponsored by the Extension Deans/Directors of the 12 North Central states. Thanks to John, Lizabeth, Sara, and Josh for sharing these resources.On-Farm Research: Tips on Making Your On-Farm Trial Comparison Fair – University of Minnesota
Blowing the Whistle on Ag Marketing Claims Fact Sheet: Blowing the Whistle on Marketing Claims
Focuses on key statistical principles when comparing results from a trial (2.5 minutes)		 https://youtu.be/HmM-eDXzCeo From the “Understanding Ag Research” Tool Package for Extension Educators, 2017 NC-ANR Academy. S. Bauder, SDSU Extension; L. Stahl, U of MN Extension; J. Thomas, UNL Extension, and J. Coltrain, formerly KSU Extension. These resources resulted from their participation in the 2017 North Central ANR Academy sponsored by the Extension Deans/Directors of the 12 North Central states. Thanks to John, Lizabeth, Sara, and Josh for sharing these resources.On-Farm Research: Tips on Making Your On-Farm Trial Comparison Fair – University of Minnesota
The Least Significant Difference in Ag Research Fact Sheet:“Understanding Ag Research” Tool Package for Extension Educators
Focuses on statistical differences (4 minutes)		 https://youtu.be/5yguiDaKF7Y From the “Understanding Ag Research” Tool Package for Extension Educators, 2017 NC-ANR Academy. S. Bauder, SDSU Extension; L. Stahl, U of MN Extension; J. Thomas, UNL Extension, and J. Coltrain, formerly KSU Extension. These resources resulted from their participation in the 2017 North Central ANR Academy sponsored by the Extension Deans/Directors of the 12 North Central states. Thanks to John, Lizabeth, Sara, and Josh for sharing these resources.On-Farm Research: Tips on Making Your On-Farm Trial Comparison Fair – University of Minnesota
Data Use and Privacy AgreementsPrecision Data Collection Considerations –

Best Management Practices for Collecting Accurate Yield Data and Avoiding Errors During Harvest

See Sample OFR Protocols for Soil Health evaluation in How do I successfully implement on-farm research?
      • NCR-SARE hosts a competitive Farmer Rancher Grant Program exclusively to fund farmers and ranchers striving for agricultural sustainability
      • The North Central Region SARE (NCR-SARE) Research and Education Grant Program is a competitive grant program for researchers and educators involved in projects that explore and promote environmentally sound, profitable, and socially responsible food and/or fiber systems
      • The North Central Region SARE (NCR-SARE) Partnership Grant program is intended to foster cooperation between agriculture professionals and small groups of farmers and ranchers to catalyze on-farm research, demonstration, and education activities related to sustainable agriculture
      • NRCS offers voluntary programs to eligible landowners and agricultural producers to provide financial and technical assistance to help manage natural resources in a sustainable manner. Through these programs the agency approves contracts to provide financial assistance to help plan and implement conservation practices that address natural resource concerns