Network Challenge Training Sessions - Session 2 Summary

Exploring Farmer-Led Research & Practical Methods

📅 Date: February 4, 2025

🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

🎤 Guest Speakers:

📄 Session Format:
✅ Panel Discussion
✅ Interactive Breakout Rooms
✅ Q&A and Networking

🔗 View the 2025 Working Document (Ongoing Collaboration)

🔴 Missed the session? Watch the full recording here:

 

🔬 Session Overview

In this session, we explored the fundamentals of on-farm research and how Ontario farmers can take practical, structured approaches to testing new ideas and validating observations.

🔹 Learn how to move from curiosity to research-backed decision-making.
🔹 Discover simple ways to track and analyze results.
🔹 Explore funding and collaboration opportunities for farmer-led research.

 

 

🔎 What is Research?

Research is a structured way to explore a curiosity or question you might have on your farm. It helps you:

✔ Validate observations with real data.
✔ Think critically about what you’re seeing.
✔ Ensure results are repeatable and reliable.
✔ Put guardrails on curiosity to measure if something is actually having an effect.

👉 Most farmers are already testing new things on their farms—research just helps formalize and track results more effectively!

 

 

📊 Why is Research Important?

Research can boost confidence in decision-making and help farmers test ideas on their own terms.

✔ Test if a practice or product will work for your farm (logistically, financially, ecologically).
✔ Validate observations with structured trials.
✔ Make informed decisions using trusted data instead of assumptions.
✔ Understand why something happened—whether it’s soil fertility, plant health, or crop resilience.

 

 

📌 How to Conduct Research on Your Farm

✅ Start with a Clear Research Question
The more specific the question, the clearer the results!

✅ Choose a Location & Design for Your Trial
Consider field variability before selecting test areas.

✅ Plan Your Data Collection Before the Season Starts
Think about:

  • What data are you already collecting?
  • What tools or equipment will you need?
  • What new measurements will help you answer your question?

✅ Replicate Your Research!
Having at least 6 replicates strengthens the validity of your findings.

✅ Take Good Notes & Track Observations
Use a dedicated notebook, take photos, and keep organized records in Excel or a field app. Sometimes, the notes explain things the data doesn’t!

✅ Analyze & Think Critically About the Data
Beyond just looking at numbers, consider:

  • Does the data match what you expected?
  • Are there external factors (weather, soil type, pests) that influenced the results?
  • Would your findings be the same across different years or farms?

 

 

📈 How to Interpret & Validate Results

✔ Use a Check or Control Treatment – Without a comparison, it’s hard to measure real change!
✔ Graph Your Data – Even simple graphs can help spot trends.
✔ Ask for Help! – Farmers, agronomists, and researchers can assist in analyzing results.
✔ Think Beyond Just One Season – Research is iterative, and replication leads to confidence.

 

 

🤝 Making Research More Approachable: Why Get Involved?

Farmer-led research is powerful because it answers real-world questions that matter to producers.

✔ If you have a question, chances are other farmers do too.
✔ Working with others helps validate and compare results.
✔ You don’t need to do it alone—there are funding programs, tools, and research partners available.

🎯 The best way to make research worthwhile is to pay attention to the “small stuff” from the beginning!

 

🌍 How to Get Involved in Farmer-Led Research

 

Looking to collaborate, secure funding, or join existing research projects? Check out these opportunities:

🔗 Research & Funding Opportunities

EFAO

✔ Farmer-Led Research Program
✔ Small Grains Program

OSCIA

✔ Living Labs and OnFARM (Intake currently closed)

Farmers For Climate Solutions (FCS)

✔ FCS Future (Fall 2025, Growing Season 2026)

Experimental Acres

✔ Wellington County: jordang@wellington.ca
✔ Dufferin & Grey Counties: info@greyagservices.ca

OSN/EFAO/FCS

✔ Nitrogen Reduction Trials in Corn Following Leguminous Cover Crops

OSN/IFAO

✔ Farmer Innovation and Research Ecosystem (FIRE) Program

 

📥 Additional Resources


📊 Data Collection Tools:
✔ Slakes App (Aggregate Stability)
✔ Canopeo App (Cover Crop Stand Measurement)

📚 Research Libraries & Guides:
✔ EFAO Research Library
✔ FCS FaRM Learning Hub
✔ SARE: How to Conduct Research
✔ GFO Research Database

💬 Questions? Get in Touch!

📧 Contact Sarah Larsen (EFAO) – sarah@efao.ca
📧 Contact Rosalie Gillis-Madden (FCS) – rosalie@farmersforclimatesolutions.ca