Review of On-Farm Research

Willie Lockeretz (WLockeretz@infonet.tufts.edu)
Fri, 16 Oct 1998 9:30:13 EDT

As a follow-up activity coming out of the recent European Workshop
on Research Methodologies in Organic Farming (held in Switzerland,
sponsored by the FAO Office for Europe), we are preparing a review
of current on-farm research. The goal is to summarize the approaches
that researchers have taken, the types of research questions that
have been addressed, and the main problems that have been
encountered, together with possible solutions.

We are especially interested in research design, ways of getting
farmers involved, the respective roles played by farmers and
researchers, the relationship between on-farm and experiment
station research, and the eventual use of the results.

To help us cover this subject thoroughly, we are requesting
copies of papers and reports describing specific research
projects conducted on farmers' fields. We are primarily seeking
materials that give details about the research strategies used;
the review is about methods, not results. We are especially
interested in research on organic farming, but are eager to learn
about all on-farm research, whatever its topic, and whatever the
way in which farmers participated.

Please help in this effort by sending copies of materials that
you or your colleagues have written. Also, we would appreciate
citations to other materials that you yourself cannot send.

Please address you replies to:

William Lockeretz
School of Nutrition Science and Policy
Tufts University
Medford, MA 02155 (USA)
Tel: +1 617 627 3223 Fax: +1 617 627 3887

Many thanks for your cooperation.

William Lockeretz

and

Christopher Stopes
Co-ordinator, FAO-REU On-Farm and
Participatory Research Working Group
Eco-Stopes Consultancy
Wood End, Garden Close Lane
Newbury RG14 6PP
UNITED KINGDOM
Tel/Fax: +44 (0)1635 40998 Mobile: +44 (0)966 463489
E-mail: c.stopes@dial.pipex.com

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