On-farm research allows farmers to improve their knowledge and understanding of their own production systems, which in turn can improve the amount and type of information available for decision making and increase the agricultural community’s capacity to adapt to changing markets, technologies, and knowledge.
It is BCFC’s hope that this guide will improve individual producers’ long term ability to conduct their own on-farm trials to test crops and production methods of interest, refine their forage production and products, and further enhance the production of high quality forage in BC.
Resources to Support Producers’ On-Farm Research
The Guide to On-Farm Demonstration Research was a final deliverable of the project: “Demonstrating Innovative Forage Production Practices to Increase Climate Change Adaptation (2014-2017)” (a Farm Adaptation Innovator Program project). You can purchase a hard-copy for $25 ($10 for members) – contact the BCFC office for more information. (Need extra worksheets or activity sheets? Download extra blank files below!)
BCFC offers a 3 hour Introduction Workshop on the Guide to On-Farm Demonstration Research, which provides an overview of the concept and how to use the Guide to help implementation. Producers found it useful to go have this overview before taking the more in-depth steps to start planning their own project. BCFC offers the workshop at-cost. E-mail bcfc@bcforagecouncil.com to discuss options for bringing the workshop to your community.
Ready to get started on your own project? A webinar was developed as part of the “Train the Trainers and Raising the Next Generation” project, where you can have Dr. Catherine Tarasoff (Agrowest Consulting Scientists) walk you through the Guide and plan your own project, step-by-step.
Webinar Series Include:
- Chapter 1: Introduction to On-Farm Research
- Chapter 2: Planning Your Research (Part 1)
- Chapter 2: Planning Your Research (Part 2)
- Chapter 3 & 4: Implementing Your Research, Analyzing and Interpreting Your Data
Want to share your results? We have developed an online research discussion forum where producers are encouraged to share their ideas, their results, ask questions and learn from each other. Check out the Research Forum here.
Acknowledgements
The webinar series developed through the project “Train the Trainers and Raising the Next Generation,” a project that was funded in part by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Government of British Columbia through programs delivered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of B.C. Additional funding provided by the Thompson Rivers University, the BC Cattlemens’ Association and the BC Forage Council.
Extra Resources:
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