AgriDemo-F2F, together with its sister project PLAID, built a geo-referenced inventory of open commercial farms that engage in demonstration activities in Europe, detailing the sectors, themes and topics on which they provide expertise. The inventory is hosted on the FarmDemo-Hub. A strong collaboration was set up between the three on-farm demonstration projects (AgriDemo-F2F, PLAID and NEFERTITI) to further enrich the inventory.
Second, a cross case comparative approach of 35 cases allowed us to identify a set of best practical approaches. We focused the analysis on the interplay between key characteristics for effective on-farm demonstrations, looking at different levels (event, farm and organisation or programme level). Findings are structured around 4 main questions: (i) What are the most important key characteristics at event level, and are there some standard recipes to choose from? (ii) What does it entail to be a good demonstration farm or farmer? (iii) How does a combined set of practices influence the effectiveness of a demo event? and (iv) What about the dynamics in the context of a demo event; what role does the organisation, network or AKIS structure play?
From these analyses, we determined seven key intervention points. First, goal setting is important at all levels. Second, AKIS arrangements can enable more effective demo programmes through well-funded structures and facilities to ensure a stable and committed network of demo farmers. Third, demo organisations should embed demo activities into existing structures or leverage and optimise existing links. Fourth, collaborative and co – governance models should integrate demos into farmer learning pathways. Fifth, during an event, a balanced program with a variety of suitable learning methods is essential. There are 3 basic principles: relate learning content to the farming practice (real life conditions), engage participants in active knowledge exchange and use a variety of learning methods (ex. field walks, observing practical demonstrations, hands-on activities). Sixth, group dynamics and creating a motivational space are crucial to enhance peer learning during on farm demonstrations. At last, follow up during and after the demo event through monitoring and evaluation are essential to gauge effectiveness.
Furthermore, a FarmDemo Design Guide was developed and made available in 11 languages, offering 6 simple steps that should be considered when it comes to preparing, carrying out and evaluating on-farm demonstrations. In addition, a set of recommendations were formulated for policy and AKIS actors and resulted in 4 policy briefs: (i) Demonstration as part of the dissemination activities in the innovation support projects in EU; (ii) Education and training to enhance demonstration for farmers, facilitators and demo organisers; (iii) Supporting Demonstration through Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS) Funding Schemes; and (iv) Setting long term (EU) demonstration networks and exchange programmes. Recommendations are mostly directed at the EU level, but can also provide inspiration for national and regional policies.
At last, based on an improved understanding of effective on-farm demonstration and through a strong collaboration between the three FarmDemo projects, we built and boosted a lively FarmDemo Community to raise European connectivity between demonstration farmers (peer-to-peer) and other innovation actors. The FarmDemo projects liaised strongly and branded all communication and dissemination towards the commercial farming community as "FarmDemo". All results emerging from the 3 FarmDemo projects can be accessed on farmdemo.eu collating the FarmDemo Hub, the FarmDemo Networks, and the FarmDemo Training Kit. The FarmDemo Hub hosts the EU-wide inventory of demonstration farms, and offers user-friendly search functions to explore the inventory. Furthermore, registered farmers can showcase their farms and demonstration activities. The FarmDemo Networks page provides more information about the ten NEFERTITI Networks. Finally, the FarmDemo Training Kit centralises online tools, video tutorials, and tips & tricks to improve on-farm demonstrations. Furthermore, we implemented a big FarmDemo social media campaign and organised a set of joint meetings (ex. recommendation workshops in Italy (March 2019) & Den Bosch (April 2019)). The Farmdemo Conference (May 2019) was a big succes (200 participants from all over Europe), clearly a result of raising the interest and creating a lively community.
