Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 95 Document Number: C07425
Notes:
INTERPAKS, In: H. W. Kerr, Jr. and L. Knutson, eds., Research for small farms, Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 1982. (Miscellaneous publication no. 1422). p. 23-26., Discusses a concern that terminology currently used in agricultural research and extension is obsolete and clearly inadequate. Indicates that this condition reflects, in part, the lack of conceptualization and the weakness of the concepts upon which we now depend, as well as the traditional nature of the agricultural research and extension establishment. Notes that the problem is especially serious in international work and is becoming serious even within the tradition.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 95 Document Number: C07382
Notes:
INTERPAKS, In: H.W. Kerr, Jr. and L. Knutson (eds.), Research for small farms. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 1982. (Miscellaneous publication no. 1422) p. 269-271., Briefly discusses farming systems research (FSR), identifying it as an on-farm centered, holistic, interdisciplinary approach to technology development for small farms. Emphasis is on understanding of the farmer's relationship to his technical, economic, and social environment and technologies which are compatible with it. Farmers and extension workers are full partners in the research process. Four common elements of farm level FSR program are identified: (1) the descriptive or diagnostic stage, (2) the design stage, (3) the testing stage, and (4) the extension stage. Notes that although most current FSR programs are located in developing countries, there are closely related programs underway in the U.S.