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.