Farmer knowledge as formal knowledge: A case study of farmer-led research in Ontario, Canada

Abstract

Farmer-led research (FLR) is a process of inquiry wherein farmers use scientific methods to address their own on-farm curiosities and challenges in ways that are compatible with the scale and man­agement style of their operations. With its flexible, adaptable, participatory, grassroots-oriented nature, FLR has typically been employed by farmers interested in ecological farming techniques and technol­ogies, and evidence shows that it contributes to the adoption and improvement of ecological manage­ment practices across a range of contexts. Engage­ment in FLR initiatives has also been linked to pos­itive social outcomes, including community-building, farmer empowerment, and enhanced capacity for leadership and collective action. In this paper, we present a case study of the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario’s (EFAO) Farmer-Led Research Program (FLRP), which is currently one of relatively few FLR initiatives in North America. We draw on data from a participatory, mixed-methods research project. Our results high­light how the FLRP is enabling farmers to feel more knowledgeable, confident, motivated, and inspired to adopt and/or improve ecological prac­tices on their farms, in part by supporting them in building robust social networks that align with their farming values and priorities.