Call for Curiosity 2023

Farmer-led research is a flexible and powerful tool that can help improve your farm practices. Working with your farm systems and goals, farmer-led research helps you assess the ecological and economic impacts of your innovations, ideas, and comparisons.

 

October is a great time to start thinking about your burning on-farm questions! 

Did you observe something on the farm this year that sparks your curiosity, and has you wanting answers?

 

Do you have an idea on how to improve your farm system and need help designing an experiment? 

 

Are there new crops or varieties you want to trial on your farm? 

 

Are you interested in farmer-led research but want to start as part of a multi-farm trial to try it out?

 

Do you and/or some farmer friends have a need for a new locally adapted variety?

 

Do you want to reduce emissions or improve the regenerative capacity of your farm, and want to test a new method of doing so?

Working in cooperation with EFAO’s Farmer-Led Research Program, you will receive financial support and individualized technical support to help answer your questions with confidence.

Where to learn more

Get involved at upcoming events

November

EFAO’s Regional Gatherings

EFAO is holding three regional gatherings throughout November in which the Farmer-Led Research Program will be highlighted or have a table in which to interact with research staff.

 

Southwestern Gathering
Saturday November 12, 2022 | 9:30am – late | Earth to Table: The Farm (Millgrove/Waterdown)

  • FLRP highlights: A panel discussion and Q&A with farmer-researchers Ken Laing, Angie Koch, Nikola Barsoum, and Rav Singh as well as a FLRP staff table

Register
Full gathering program

 

Northeastern Gathering

Saturday November 26, 2022 | 9:30am – 9:30pm | Northern Water Sports Centre Hall (Sudbury)

  • FLRP highlights: A panel discussion with farmer-researchers Ryan Spence and Guy Porlier moderated by Isabelle Spence-Legault

Register

Full gathering program

 

Eastern Gathering

Sunday November 27, 2022 | 9:30am – 5:00pm | Batawa Ski Hill Chalet (Trenton)

  • FLRP highlights: FLRP staff table

Register

Full gathering program

Research Advisory Committee Application Deadline

Would like to engage with farmer-led research in other ways in addition to, or beyond, conducting your own research? We are looking for members to be a part of the Research Advisory Committee. Terms last for two years and members are compensated for their time.

Application deadline: November 30, 2022 at 11:59pm

Research Advisory Committee Terms of Reference

Apply to be part of the Research Advisory Committee

If you have additional questions, please contact Sarah Larsen, sarah@efao.ca.

December

Research Symposium!
The virtual Research Symposium is an online gathering where EFAO members share their findings and insights from the 2022 research season. This year’s projects focused on plant available nitrogen from cover crops; no-till potato production; row-spacing in beets; quinoa transplant timing; grain amaranth, iceberg lettuce, fava, red pepper, and okra variety trials; northern hardy watermelon selection; and hulless squash screening.

If you want to learn about this year’s projects or are interested in conducting research in the future or, please join us! 

  • December 7, 2022 | 9:30am – 11:30pm and 2:30pm – 4:00pm (2 sessions)

Register

Conference program preview

Virtual Office Hours

In December the EFAO research team will be holding an open virtual office hours on Wednesday December 14 from 1:00-2:00pm so that prospective farmer-led research applicants can ask questions and discuss their applications. If you can not make these hours please feel free to schedule an appointment with one of our research team members.

Sign up for the virtual drop-in office hours

 

Contact information to arrange an appointment at another time:

January

Virtual Office Hours

In January the EFAO research team will be holding open virtual office hours on Wednesday from 1:00-2:00pm so that prospective farmer-led research applicants can ask questions and discuss their applications. If you can not make these hours please feel free to schedule an appointment with one of our research team members.

  • Wednesday, January 4, 1-2pm
  • Wednesday, January 11, 1-2pm

Sign up for the virtual drop-in office hours

 

Contact information to arrange an appointment at another time:

Application Deadline

The deadline for applications for the 2023 farmer-led research season is January 15, 2023 by 11:59pm. Once you submit an application, EFAO’s Research Advisory Committee will then evaluate the applications and applicants will be notified of funding decisions in early to mid-February.

Apply for funding