Call for Curiosity 2022
Farmer-led research is a flexible and powerful tool that can be an integral asset in helping improve your farm system. 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 looking for 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 way 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
- Farmer-Led Research Program webpage: contains detailed information about the program and how to get involved
- Research FAQ page: learn about trial design and more
- Research Library: read and download protocols and reports from previous farmer-led research projects
- Apply for funding: apply for a research trial, screening or variety trial, and breeding trial
- Research Advisory Committee: apply to be a member of the Research Advisory Committee
- Upcoming events: Learn more about how to get involved with farmer-led research
EFAO’s BIPOC Farmer Network Meet-Up
An info session and Q&A about farmer-led research for members of EFAO’s BIPOC Farmer Network.
- Wednesday November 24, 2021 | 7:00-8:00pm
- For more information about the meet-up, contact Angel Beyde, anti-racism@efao.ca, who coordinates the Network.
Research Symposium!
The Research Symposium is a gathering where EFAO members share their findings and insights from the research season. At this year’s virtual Symposium, we will hear about research from 2021 focused on interplanting, biochar amendments, variety trials for quinoa, organic field corn, oats, amaranth, summer lettuce, and spinach for seed production, no-till vegetable production, and climate regulation for summer lettuce. If you are interested in conducting research or want to learn about this year’s projects, please join us!
- November 29, 2021 | 11:30am – 1:00pm and 2pm – 4pm (2 online sessions)
December
Research Workshops
The virtual Research Workshops are an open space to join fellow farmers, farmer-researchers, and research staff to discuss your curiosities and research ideas for the upcoming season. Participants will have the chance to brainstorm, network, strategize on ideas, and learn in community with other farmer-researchers. Farmers and farmer-researchers of all experience levels are welcome.
- Tuesday, December 14, 1-2pm – Soil health, reduced tillage and cover crops*
- Wednesday, December 15, 1-2pm – Breeding and seed selection*
- Thursday, December 16, 1-2pm – Pasture regeneration and livestock*
*Note that the focus areas for each virtual workshop are only suggested areas of discussion, but all topics are welcome for discussion in any session.
Free registration for members, $5 for standard registration
January
Virtual Office Hours
In January the EFAO research team will be holding open virtual office hours every 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 5, 1-2pm
- Wednesday, January 12, 1-2pm
- Wednesday, January 19, 1-2pm
- Wednesday, January 26, 1-2pm
Get log-in details for the virtual drop-in office hours >
Contact information to arrange an appointment at another time:
- Sarah Larsen, Research Director, sarah@efao.ca
- Dillon Muldoon, Research & Soil Health Program Coordinator, dillon@efao.ca
- Rebecca Ivanoff, Seed Program Manager, rebecca@efao.ca
Application Deadline
The deadline for applications for the 2022 farmer-led research season is January 31, 2022 by 11:59pm.
Once you submit an application, EFAO’s research staff will contact you to review and discuss your submitted project applications. EFAO’s Research Advisory Committee will then evaluate the applications and applicants will be notified of funding decisions in late February/early March.
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.
Read the 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.