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Agricultural systems can be described in many ways. Over the years, researchers and farmers alike have used a variety of terms, such as farming system, cropping system, organic, ecological, to identify agricultural systems based on particular characteristics or definitions. Many of these common terms are outlined in Box 1.1 (p. 12). In addition to these […]

This handbook is organized into five chapters that provide an overview of the theoretical underpinnings and history of systems research, give concrete examples of existing systems research projects, and offer detailed practical guidance on how to organize and execute a collaborative systems project. Each chapter includes a case study that highlights key facets of a […]

Each SARE region offers a competitive Research and Education grant program, which can be used to fund multiyear, interdisciplinary investigations of agricultural systems. Smaller partnership grants are also available, designed to encourage agricultural professionals to team up with farmers to conduct on-farm research and demonstration projects. From its very beginning, SARE has regularly funded projects […]

A Aber, John, 76–77 academics on collaborative teams, 27–28 accountability: project leaders, 25–26; steps to ensure, 84; of team members, 83–84 accounting, natural resource. See natural resource accounting agricultural systems: agroecology, 9–11, 13; concepts of, 9–11; definition of, 9, 12 (Box 1.1); emergent properties of, 11; existing, 43–45, 51–55; model of, 5 (Fig. I1); multifunctional, 3; nomenclature of, 12; […]

Conclusion | Chapter One Chapter One Chapter Two Collaborative Culture Team Building Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Additional Readings on Social Science for Systems Research

In this handbook, we hope we have laid out in clear and simple terms the best information available on how to conduct agricultural systems research—from basic agricultural systems theory and background, to building collaborative teams, to designing and analyzing research projects. For every bit of information we have provided, however, there is much more to […]

Starting a Systems Project Confirming the Plan and Launching the Project Financial Management Dealing with a Reduced Budget Instituting Accountability Expanding the Project Team Publishing Interdisciplinary Systems Work References Progress is made one step at a time. Every big accomplishment is a series of little accomplishments. —David Joseph Schwartz The strategies discussed in previous chapters are […]

Statistical and Mathematical Tools Univariate Analysis Multivariate Approaches to Data Analysis Other Mathematical Analyses: Structural Equation Modeling and Path Analysis Natural Resource Accounting Life Cycle Assessment Ecological Footprints Carbon Footprints Using Indicators to Assess Agricultural Systems Sustainability Indicators and Indices: Practical Considerations SARE Case Study: Using Life Cycle Assessment at the University of New Hampshire's […]

Defining the Project Scope Information Gathering and Literature Review Identifying the Problem Establishing Goals and Objectives Matching Experimental Design to Goals Situating Experiments: Simulated and Existing Agricultural Systems Experimental Design Using Simulated Agricultural Systems Defining the Systems Design Considerations Long-Term Experiments Experimental Design Using Existing Agricultural Systems Design Considerations Design Considerations for Statistical Methods Financial […]

Developing a Collaborative Team Role of the Project Leader Assembling the Core Team Engaging Farmers and Other Nonacademic Stakeholders in Systems Projects Instilling a Culture of Collaboration Facilitating Participatory Decision-Making Elements of Participatory Decision-Making Becoming a Good Facilitator Planning and Conducting Effective Meetings Planning the Meeting During the Meeting SARE Case Study: SAFS: Systems Research […]