Location: Dairy Forage Research
Project Number: 5090-21500-002-048-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 2, 2024
End Date: Aug 31, 2028
Objective:
FarmLab is a research initiative conducting long-term, systems research that is prioritized by dairy producers. Engaging dairy farmers as co-producers of scientific knowledge is a key priority of the FarmLab program, to ensure the research is responsive to producer needs while also preparing the next generation of dairy farmers for future economic and environmental conditions through development of transformational best management practices. The objective of this agreement is to develop a network map to identify key stakeholders in Wisconsin that represent target audiences for the FarmLab program. Through a series of interviews and facilitated meetings, the needs of the FarmLab network with respect to long-term, farm-scale agricultural research and demonstration will be identified. These include shared priorities for engagement and research outcomes and effective processes for maintaining mutually beneficial, active producer engagement in the FarmLab program.
Approach:
Through a combination of interviews and facilitated meetings, a FarmLab network map will be developed that details the key Wisconsin stakeholders, their connections within the network and with external partners, and the priority research questions they have for improving economic and environmental outcomes on their farming operations. The goal of the network mapping process is to build relationships with the FarmLab audience and understand their perspectives about how a co-production research model within a farm-scale research program could best meet their needs and advance the sustainability of dairy systems. The Cooperator has more than 30 years of experience working in Wisconsin agriculture, including with dairy producers and producer-led watershed groups throughout the state. We will leverage the Cooperator’s existing network and positive working relationships while the Agency SYs will document the process, including lessons learned and producer feedback, to later expand the scope of the FarmLab program to other regions and engagement with collaborators outside of the Wisconsin network. The Agency investigators will communicate these results with their network of Agency scientists working in co-production research to develop best practices for Agency producer engagement and communicate the results in collaborative papers synthesizing the experience across regions and production systems.
