Farmer Field Schools
The Farmer Field School (FFS) is a participatory platform where farmers gather together weekly to learn about agricultural production. The FFS design utilizes key principles of adult education by bringing farmers together to discuss topics of direct importance to their life. A FFS will often focus on one particular crop or a specific aspect of production, such as pest management. Farmer Field Schools are best conducted as a participatory process where farmers work with facilitators to develop the goals of this season's curriculum. Farmer Field Schools then engage farmers by combining classroom time with "hands-on" exercises conducted in the field. By making farmers the center of the learning activity, they then are given an opportunity to develop solutions to problems that they, as a group, have identified. The Farmer Field School model is there to assist them as they work through this process.
Resources:
SUSTAINET EA 2010. Technical Manual for farmers and Field Extension Service Providers: Farmer Field School Approach. Sustainable Agriculture Information Initiative, Nairobi.
http://www.fao.org/ag/ca/CA-Publications/Farmer_Field_School_Approach.pdf
Fundamental Elements of a Farmer Field School
http://www.farmerfieldschool.net/document_en/05_06.pdf
IFPRI Publication: Impact of Farmer Field Schools on Agricultural Productivity and Poverty in East Africa
http://www.ifpri.org/sites/default/files/publications/ifpridp00992.pdf
Resources:
SUSTAINET EA 2010. Technical Manual for farmers and Field Extension Service Providers: Farmer Field School Approach. Sustainable Agriculture Information Initiative, Nairobi.
http://www.fao.org/ag/ca/CA-Publications/Farmer_Field_School_Approach.pdf
Fundamental Elements of a Farmer Field School
http://www.farmerfieldschool.net/document_en/05_06.pdf
IFPRI Publication: Impact of Farmer Field Schools on Agricultural Productivity and Poverty in East Africa
http://www.ifpri.org/sites/default/files/publications/ifpridp00992.pdf