Here we offer a selection of useful resources that can be found online or through state Extension offices on various topics related to conducting on-farm research.
On-Farm Research
General Info and Tips
Many state Extension offices have staff and resources that can help you through the research process. Two in-depth guides on research for farmers include:
- How to Conduct Research On Your Farm Or Ranch (SARE)
www.sare.org/research - Farmers Guide to Conducting On-Farm Research (Organic Farming Research Foundation)
ofrf.org/reports/farmers-guide-to-conducting-on-farm-research
Sources of Funding
- SARE, a program of the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)
https://www.sare.org/grants/ - Building Sustainable Farms, Ranches and Communities, a guide to federal funding opportunities, updated with each Farm Bill
www.sare.org/federal-funding-guide
Selecting Indicators: A Sampling of Data Collection Methods
The following guides are available through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS):
- Cropland In-Field Soil Health Assessment
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/Cropland_InField_Soil_Health_Assessment_Guide.pdf - Guide to Pasture Condition Scoring
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2022-06/National_Pasture_Condition_Scoring_Guide_and_Score_Sheet_-_January_2020.pdf
Communication
- The Farmer Field Day Toolkit
https://www.sare.org/resources/the-farmer-field-day-toolkit/
Acknowledgments
This bulletin was written by Jennifer Walker. For their valuable contributions, we would like to thank Liz Brownlee (North Central SARE), Candice Huber (Northeast SARE), Miranda Kersten (Western SARE), Candace Pollock-Moore (Southern SARE), Kristy Borrelli (SARE Outreach), and Jermaine Hinds (SARE Outreach). It was produced by Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE), supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), U.S. Department of Agriculture under award number 2020-38640-31524. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the USDA.
