A basic understanding of some statistical terms and principles can go a long way toward making your farmer-led research experience (or just reading the research reports) more valuable! 

If terms like ”statistical significance” and “P-value” are confusing or meaningless to you, join EFAO’s research team to learn the basics of statistics relevant to on-farm, farmer-led research. 

During the webinar, we will walk through how to use a random number generator and discuss how simple statistical tests such as t-tests and analysis of variance can be performed using free online calculators. We will provide datasets for you to calculate in real time alongside the examples, so you can practice the skills as you learn them, and see how they might benefit you in your on-farm research.

About the host

Sarah Larsen (née Hargreaves) leads the Farmer-Led Research Program and Small Grains Program and supports soil health components of EFAO’s education programs.

Sarah holds a Ph.D. in Soil Microbial Ecology from Iowa State University. Raised in Toronto, Sarah spent three years studying nutrient cycling in the sub-Arctic, where she found her love of soil microbes as the ultimate recyclers and network builders; followed by 10 years in Iowa, where applied her passion for soil microbes to agroecosystems. Through her involvement with Practical Farmers of Iowa, she also learned about the power of farmer-to-farmer networks — the “mycelia” within farming communities — to ignite the curiosity and innovative spirit of farmers. To support farmers in this way in Ontario, Sarah launched EFAO’s Farmer-Led Research Program in 2016, EFAO’s Small Grains Program in 2020, and she also supports soil health components of EFAO’s education programs. When she’s not working with EFAO members, you can find Sarah tending the land with her partner and daughter at Three Ridges Ecological Farm, and rekindling the sacred fire of her Michif (Red River Métis) roots.