View Poster Application

Ohio State University Extension has a long-standing tradition of using on-farm research to provide practical answers to producers' questions about new agricultural technologies and farming practices. Since 2017, the OSU Extension Digital Ag Team has built relationships with farmers to address local, farmer-driven research questions using reliable experimental methodology. Between 2017-2024, 1,434 on-farm trials have been conducted in 70 counties in the state. Annually, the team releases a summary report to share the results of those trials, with 17,000 copies distributed in both printed and electronic versions.  

In 2024, the team conducted a survey to evaluate the reach and impact of the on-farm research program and to inform future program strategies. The purpose of the survey was to document the current level of Extension educators’ engagement in on-farm research and farmers’ knowledge of the eFields program.  Another element of the survey was to determine the level of impact that eFields had with farmer decision-making. 

Nearly one-third of respondents sought the report each year, while one-third had no knowledge of the program. When asked if their experience with the publication had changed their use of on-farm research-based information, almost half responded that they utilize information more since learning about the publication. Regarding the influence of the research publication on decision-making on their farm, about half were considering changes in production practices and had already made changes. About 40% were considering changes in technology adoption due to the publication’s information, and 27% had already invested in new or improved technology. 

A general conclusion from this initial inquiry is that agricultural producers perceive value in the team’s on-farm research efforts. The survey results gave researchers a better understanding of how farmers utilized the publication in their farming operations and how they valued the work. Future programming recommendations include conducting in-depth focus groups with farmer cooperators, expanding county-based research groups for collaboration, and building knowledge of new Extension professionals through in-services.