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Experiences and Lessons in Growing an Impactful, Local On-Farm Research Program in South Central Nebraska

Early Career Development

Sarah Sivits
Extension Educator
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lexington

Abstract

The statewide Nebraska On-Farm Research Network (NOFRN) encourages partnerships between Extension faculty, producers, agronomists, industry, and natural resource agencies to conduct scientifically sound on-farm research trials and share research-based information while facilitating co-discovery and technology transfer. The network is facilitated by relationships between local Extension Educators, area farmers, and ag professionals. The objective of this presentation is to highlight steps taken and lessons learned as a new Extension Educator growing a locally dynamic on-farm research presence over 6 years in south central Nebraska as part of the NOFRN. Information about the NOFRN was shared through trainings and media outlets resulting in two producers conducting five studies in 2017. Since then, the program has grown across the region by 200% through producer/industry/university partner participation (n=63), on-farm research trials (n=66), virtual (n=10) and in-person (n=1) field days, research meetings (n=3), and an increase in peer-reviewed publications (n=8) and outreach efforts. Much of this growth is due to producer involvement through protocol design, field work, data collection, and results interpretation. The success in building the on-farm research program in south central Nebraska is due to producer innovation, independent crop consultant interaction, and building trust with local clientele. The NOFRN has allowed local educators to develop skill sets (i.e., collect biomass sampling, crop emergence data, develop videos, estimate weed population densities), build relationships with others (producers (n=31), industry representatives (n=8), students (n=15), and university specialists (n=9)), engage commodity board for funding opportunities, partner with industry professionals, and acquire leadership roles (i.e., co-PI for NOFRN). In the south central NOFRN group, 67% of surveyed participants said conducting on-farm research was very important for their operation success while 100% said having statistical analysis and working with their local Extension Educator was extremely important in conducting on-farm research. One trial impacted 80 white corn growers in the region representing 11 million bushels and 49,000 acres with a total cost savings of $1,078,000 by not having to apply the product tested in future growing seasons. Findings from the south central NOFRN studies were presented at professional meetings (n=8) and grants were successfully funded (n=3) to expand these efforts.

Authors: Sarah Sivits, Laura Thompson, Taylor Lexow, Chuck Burr
  1. Sarah Sivits Extension Educator, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Nebraska, 68850
  2. Laura Thompson Extension Educator, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Nebraska, 68355
  3. Taylor Lexow On-Farm Research Project Coordinator, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Nebraska, 68355
  4. Chuck Burr Extension Educator, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Nebraska, 69101