Find someone at your county extension office or land-grant university with experience in setting up and conducting research on farms who wants to work with you as a collaborator. If you cannot find an experienced helper, see Resources for a list of guidebooks and farmer research networks. A mistake at this stage can render your data unusable, or worse, misleading. Whether you are making the transition to another production system, fine-tuning your pest management or fertility programs, or testing a new marketing strategy, conducting research will require an investment of time and energy. Of all your ideas, choose one or two simple hypotheses that will yield the greatest return of practical information.
Great research begins with a great idea.
When filling out an application, be sure you understand SARE's goals and objectives. Find a qualified collaborator, and follow instructions. SARE encourages producers to work as partners in its other grant programs, too. And some of SARE's most innovative Professional Development Program projects, which are geared at extension educators, have taken place on farms or have featured producers as teachers.