Resources
On-Farm Research Bulletins & Reports
AGSTATS02. An easy-to-use, Windows-based software for statistical analysis of simple on-farm field experiments. http://pnwsteep.wsu.edu/onfarmtesting/
Alternative Approaches to On-Farm Research and Technology Exchange, Vol. III by Charles Francis et al. This 174-page compendium presents papers from a 1995 symposium on alternative research approaches. $12. (402) 472-1581; www.ianr.unl.edu/ianr/csas/vol3-1.htm
Designing Research and Demonstration Tests for Farmers’ Fields by the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Cooperative Extension Service. http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/pubcd/B1177-w.htm
Establishing On-Farm Demonstration and Research Plots by J. Havlin et al., Kansas State University Cooperative. Eight pages. $0.35, plus tax and shipping. Order from KSU, (785) 532-5830; www.oznet.ksu.edu/library/crpsl2/
Farmer’s Guide to On-Farm Research by R. Janke, et al. Uses real-life examples from Dick Thompson’s Iowa farm. $6 + s/h. Rodale Book Store, (800) 832-6285.
A Field Guide for On-Farm Research Experiments by Keith Baldwin, North Carolina A & T State University Extension. 13 pages. Free. Contact (336) 334-7957; kbaldwin@ncat.edu
On-Farm Research Guide by the Organic Farming Research Foundation. http://ofrf.org/grants/on-farm_research_guide.pdf. Research.Guide. PDF
On-Farm Research Guidebook by Dan Anderson, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 23-page handbook sets forth easy-to-use guidelines for conducting simple on-farm experiments. www.ag.uiuc.edu/~vista/abstracts/aGUIDEBK.html or (217) 333-1588; aslan@uiuc.edu
On-Farm Testing: A Grower’s Guide (EB1706) by B. Miller et al, Washington State University Cooperative Extension. A 20-page guide, including forms for record-keeping. $1.50 (800) 723-1763; bulletin@wsu.edu or http://pnwsteep.wsu.edu/onfarmtesting/oftman.htm
On-Farm Trials for Farmers Using the Randomized Complete Block Design (EC125) by Phil Rzewnicki. This extension bulletin puts design and analysis in farmers’ language. $2. (402) 472-9712.
On-Farm Testing – A Scientific Approach to Grower Evaluation of New Technologies, Pacific Northwest Conservation Tillage Handbook Series No. 9; Chapter 10, by Roger Veseth et al. http://pnwsteep.wsu.edu/tillagehandbook/chapter10/100999.htm
The Paired Comparison: A Good Design for Farmer-Managed Trials by Rick Exner and Dick Thompson, Practical Farmers of Iowa. This seven-page paper features real-life examples and worksheets. Free. (515) 294-5486; dnexner@iastate.edu or www.pfi.iastate.edu/ofr/OFR_worksheet.htm
Market Research Resources
Building a Sustainable Business: A Guide to Developing a Business Plan for Farms and Rural Businesses. Helps alternative and sustainable agriculture entrepreneurs transform farm-grown inspiration into profitable enterprises. $14 + s/h from the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN): (802) 656-0484; or www.sare.org/publications/business.htm
Successful Marketing Research: The Complete Guide to Getting and Using Essential Information About Your Customers and Competitors by Edward L. Hester. A complete guide to getting and using essential information about customers and competitors. Aimed at both potential and established small business owners. $19.95. John Wiley & Sons, (800) 225-5945; www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/
Farmer/Researcher Networks
Alternative Energy Resources Organization (AERO). Grassroots membership organization helps organize groups of farmers and ranchers interested in exploring sustainable techniques. (406) 443-7272; or http://www.aeromt.org/
The Innovative Farmers of Ohio (IFO). Since 1994, IFO members have conducted on-farm trials and field days and helped other producers interested in running experiments on their farms. Contact (740) 368-8552 or visit www.ifoh.org/ for more information.
North American Farming Systems Association On-Farm Research Listserv. To share information and questions about on-farm research, contact sejohnson@smallfarm.org
Practical Farmers of Iowa. A 600-member organization founded in 1985, PFI is dedicated to sharing information that supports farmers, their environment and their communities. Contact (515) 232-5661 or visit www.practicalfarmers.org/ for more information.
Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA (RAFI-USA). Based in North Carolina, RAFI-USA supports peanut and tobacco farmer networks developing more sustainable production methods. Contact Scott Marlow, (919) 542-1396; smarlow@rafiusa.org or visit http://www.rafiusa.org/
The Southern New England Farmer Research Group Network. Includes farmers in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island who compare practices, test recommendations and new technologies, evaluate innovations and adapt existing practices. Contact Sue Ellen Johnson, (413) 323-4531; sejohnson@smallfarm.org or Tom Morris, (860) 486-0637 or visit http://www.smallfarm.org/frgn/index.htm
Nebraska Soybean & Feed Grains Profitability Project. Works with farmers in eastern Nebraska to help them conduct on-farm research and publish their results. Contact Keith Glewen at KGlewen1@unl.edu or http://farmresearch.unl.edu/nufarmresearch/pages/index.jsp
Wisconsin Farmer Networks. Grazing networks as well as general topic sustainable farming networks are spread geographically and by interest area throughout the state. See http://www.cias.wisc.edu/networks.php or contact (608) 262-5200; phaza@wisc.edu.
Top