![Two farmers in an empty field pushing equipment for tilling the soil, with an icon banner at the bottom that says Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance Research 2020-21 Agri-Food Yearbook](https://www.uoguelph.ca/alliance/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/Farmer-led%20research%20programs%20highlight%20on-farm%20innovation_1080x720.jpg?itok=nlEvTAaV)
Farmer-led research programs highlight on-farm innovation
Field trials on the farm follow applied research projects once they leave the lab bench. Field trials are a great way to gather on-farm perspectives, and the province-wide network of research centres owned by the Government of Ontario through its agency, the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario, is home to many innovative field studies.
A complementary approach is for producers to take the lead in developing research questions and conducting projects on their own farms, working in cooperation with a support organization.