|
|
Research Cooperator Discussion, Feb. 7, 2002
|
 |
| New and experienced cooperators helped set direction for the farming systems program. Here Dave Jackson, North English, offers a comment. |
As described in The Practical Farmer, winter 2002, the annual spring planning meeting for PFI research cooperators featured a far-ranging discussion about this 15-year-old program. The staff and leadership of PFI really wanted the perspectives of cooperators on what is of most value and what could be improved. The notes below are from the discussion that took place. These are the bullet points as recorded on the flip charts. Some of the bullets are pretty cryptic. Visit with a PFI cooperator who attended, or contact coordinator Rick Exner if you find yourself stuck on a phrase or you would like to continue the discussion.
 |
People are used to research in the newsletter. |
|
People want pictures/diagrams via website. |
|
Overview in newsletter – direct people to more in-depth but tell oversights of research. |
|
Evaluate time involved; some projects take much longer than others – compensate accordingly. |
|
Field day attendance should not be tied to payment. |
|
Having compensation adds to the protocol. Quality – give and get arrangement. |
|
PFI farmers should get a chunk of grant money through proposals. |
|
Farmers that DO the research are paid – write it into the grant. |
|
If it is YOUR research topic that you want to do – not so important to compensate; but if it is someone else’s research, asking you to cooperate – more important then. |
|
Farmer shouldn’t get bulk of money – farmer cooperators – We do what we do for the greater good of PFI. |
|
Critical that we don’t turn cooperator research into income. If it is small compensation then that it keeps it objective. |
|
Just make sure farmers aren’t stressed because of research involvement. |
|
Overhaul research reporting form (Robb De Haan has some feedback for this). |
|
1) Newsletter? |
|
2) Other ways? |
|
Was an improvement to have research in newsletters |
|
Somewhat cryptic now – background of farm /more interaction/explanation with it |
|
Give summary of whole operation (farm) |
|
U of MN – had abstract and in-depth explanations |
|
Group projects together in booklet form |
|
Better way than newsletter summaries |
|
Newsletter is not a research manual – the availability of an in-depth booklet should be emphasized |
|
ATTRA – highlights of research – then can order in depth |
|
have past research available to order – INDEX enlightens how much research has been done |
|
Have cooperators write their own in-depth explanation |
|
Partner with ATTRA to get PFI research out |
|
How to package in summary form – get it into people’s hands that need to see it – value of real data is so important |
|
Like the OFRF report of organic yields had a tremendous impact |
|
If want details can get full story |
|
Organic community is more electronically connected |
|
Even if they have e-mail doesn’t mean that is how they want their e-mail |
|
Partner with Extension Office |
|
Community
Days – open house for public, even if no research was happening. 5 were held; well received 30-80 range in attendance Feedback – came though personal invite, field day guides, Flyers press/media was not a strong factor, many were already members Open House – steady stream – but no large group audience |
|
As we call and ask them to rejoin, remind them to attend field days |
|
Attract and KEEP members – Educational and Social and Network |
|
What is the definition of success? What are criteria? Attendance, other |
|
Co-host with local organic chapter – grain quality combine adjustment very successful |
|
OCIA
partnerships or field days – success and more potential |
|
We have a list of 1000’s of field day participants who aren’t members – how do we reach them to get them to join? |
|
People need personal contact – district lists to make personal contact. |
|
Membership Campaign – more creative ways to join |
|
When explaining research – explain membership benefits |
|
Need “why join PFI” literature/brochure targeted to different audiences |
|
Need a targeted group to work on membership |
|
Cutting edge draws a good crowd |
|
“Blood attracts” – always that on the cutting edge |
|
People have more interest in whole farm system – not as much about research |
|
Single topics don’t attract; have a diversity of things – share the whole farm |
|
Publicity: small town newspapers need us to write for them to share choices of other outside PFI members – more credibility |
|
PFI staff could write articles for statewide distribution |
|
May be part of new communications plan |
|
What is the purpose of the Field Days? |
|
Wanted to see what I am doing; & why, and what I want to accomplish (other farmers) |
|
Credibility is a big issue – if they have the opportunity, if you welcome people to come, even if they don’t come (PFI gains some credibility) |
|
Use field days to education neighbors |
|
Tie into CSA members into the field day for their visit |
|
Education opportunity for research, systems, alternatives – for farmers and all others |
|
Statistically there are more members in the areas we have cooperators – maybe cooperators are building local membership |
|
PFI needs to spend an hour or two with cooperators teaching them about phrasing. How to reach people |
|
2-page
reminder of phrases – don’t need to pontificate, just explain what
works for you ie, don’t use “should”; it will turn them off – be more objective |
 |
Broaden agenda ie: on-farm marketing, using similar methods connecting with consumers |
|
Prioritize & cluster research, it will leverage more funding |
|
Look at other
funding mechanism – OFRF $15,000 grants, 2 cycles, 2 types, science 1,
ed 2 i.e. grass finishing vs. grain finishing |
|
Do we have a systematic way to determine what the members’ needs are? |
|
We have to be where the money isn’t; University and commercial $ are on different sheet – We need recognition and financial support to do what needs to be done out of mainstream |
|
Strength of PFI is in our diversity and we can bring these to each other |
|
How do we prioritize things that work holistically together? – need them all addressed |
|
District meetings/surveys to find members’ needs to drive our agenda |
|
Make info available even if it is not a research project |
|
Call people up – Something more than meetings will contact the most people |
|
Does Extension have insight? – Maybe |
|
If going to the effort to call or survey – get some long term involvement/directions |
|
Do cooperators/leadership represent membership? Survey will help you find this out |
|
PFI Farmers have initiated these ideas and university has followed |
|
Some of both – focus areas and other research |
|
Would be a terrible mistake to allow ISU to tell us what to research |
|
We need to identify our priorities and that is what we focus on. |
|
Two-way street with ISU; when they do something relevant to us, we partner with them |
|
All scattered (topics) and on-farm may mean that we lose some credibility |
|
We need to have a balance – multiple sites important |
|
Don’t stifle creativity |
|
Similar discussion to SARE (priority areas – but flexible) |
|
Prioritize, but don’t exclude |
|
w/a priority – longer term, ISU funding |
|
When we come to a collective conclusion on some topics – publications – systems approach – put money and resources into new areas |
|
Need to look
at a systems approach i.e. genetics, age, bedding, in hoops for example |
|
Group and plan as a systems approach – stair step idea |
|
Cooperators Grants could increase with groups of producers and systems approach |
|
Research is based on interest and needs of PFI but when money is available on a specific topic – tentative situation. When money drives research, we lose |
|
ISU isn’t always where you go for information |
|
i.e.: don’t have organics info; that research occurs elsewhere |
|
Little “o” word = organic practices on farm (a PFI strength) |
|
Big “O” word = organic certification, rules, marketing B |
|
Came through OCIA and others – (less a PFI priority) |
|
Glad that PFI has branched out into marketing research |
|
Need Cooperators Guide Book – learning curve is steep |
|
Need better protocol on who is responsible for what – make expectations clear |
|
Hoops/compost had excellent support from ISU. Honeyman and others were very helpful |
|
What worked in other states with their research and collaborators |
|
Mentor role for experienced cooperators to help new folks |
Two Types; sometimes overlap
|
1) University asks PFI to partner for grant |
|
2) Farmer driven |
|
Image is important (PFI must be selective) |
|
Shortage of cooperators? |
|
Cooperator in every county? |
|
Need to maintain integrity and overall outlook of PFI |
|
When taking “green cooperators – an educational process. Exposes them to new ways and now have the opportunity to read and interpret data > continual education of own members |
|
New cooperator joined through PFI member field day |
|
When still conventionally-involved, sometimes feel left out of process/out of place |
|
How big of scope do we want to have in membership? |
|
Definition of Practical and Sustainable is different for everyone |
|
Either way research done objectively-- |
|
Topics a way to recruit |
|
Go back and look at mistakes – have been led naively into some non-credible practices |
|
We don’t always get the practical advice we are looking for |
|
Be very careful what we tell people |
|
Be cautious what we give people as tools |
|
Need feedback loops to review |
|
Credibility of PFI as presented by Cooperator |
|
Need to know that person in a local sense |
|
Some cooperators and trials have done more harm than good |
|
Worth all of the pain to screen and develop protocol – everything at risk to future credibility/image of PFI |
|
Candidates need to be from where we see PFI going in future |
|
Board responsibility to keep best interest and perspectives of organization at our heart |
|
Board has been less hands-on than in early years of PFI |
|
Knowing the individual and their farm system important |
|
Application and Board review? |
|
Some unlikely PFI cooperators have really grown through the process – need to keep this in mind. |
|
Travel to visit potential cooperators |
|
Look at previous cooperators – see where they are at; if still farming; have they impacted other local members? |
|
Avenues of access to those out there that may be interested |
|
Are we missing people? What is the way to access potential to be a cooperator? |
|
Extension have recommended cooperators & other recommendations |
|
Left/Right issue – some automatic sorting/selecting PFI stays a couple years ahead on topics as they change – not interest areas change |
|
A two-step deal |
|
Farm visit is necessary. |
|
Image of the cooperator is important. |
|
Solve problems on farm |
|
Broke down / removed barriers to make management more creative |
|
Scientific credibility |
|
Sharing with other farmers |
|
Problem solving |
|
Answered questions – when no other research was available |
|
Developed protocals/built confidence |
|
Provided structure, replications |
|
Research which emphasis is not for corporate/product development |
|
Provided bridge to University/Scientific Community |
|
Public relations too/to convince that this agriculture works |
|
Chance to interact with ISU researchers – good learning experience for all involved |
|
Collective
knowledge of this Cooperators Group Farmer to Farmer networking and knowledge Young farmers have a group of sustainable farmers to ask questions of Provided a structure to see your farm as a complete system; from a component to a systems-based focus Focal point – year after year Accountability – doing it for a group Field Days exposure – encouraged young and established farmers meet those in sustainable agriculture |
|
New concept of farmers teaching courses has taken off and being compensated |
|
Take what we are learning – what have we learned – get it out to the people who need it |
|
Need more hands-on classes; led by farmers |
|
Pair farmers with university at field labs – introduction to agriculture courses – an effective format – good educational tool |
|
ISU/Neely-Kinyon Farm – wouldn’t be where it is today without the influence of PFI |
|
More opportunities with research farms |
|
Research takes time; manpower. Can we utilize internships and mentorships for research projects, partly paid by ISU? |