Organic Farm Knowledge
Portal for the promotion of knowledge exchange among organic farmers and advisors
Description
Organic Farm Knowledge is an online app that provides access to practice-oriented tools and resources related to organic farming that can help improve production through cross-border exchanges of knowledge among farmers, farm advisers and scientists. The app can be used to access factsheets, guides, online calculation tools and videos presenting scientific and practical advice, created for and by practitioners, facilitating access to and the implementation of knowledge. The covered themes include arable crops, soil quality and fertility, nutrient management, pest and disease control, weed management, animal husbandry, ration planning, and organic seed and plant breeding, and plans are in place to add such themes as fruit production, farm economics, food chain management and biodiversity to the list, among others.
Technology
The app is available via the web after creating an account. Every tool hosted on the app is described by metadata that helps users find the most appropriate one for their needs, categorising the tools according to the thematic organisation and the app's core – the “toolbox”. A toolbox search can be carried out with basic text or filtered according to themes, keywords, languages, etc. The app is available in 14 languages, making it suitable for practitioners across Europe, although the materials are written originally in English, and translated using Google and Deepl tools. As translation technologies continue to improve, so will the language quality on the app. Disqus facilitates discussions under different themes and with specific tools, helping to connect app users across Europe for exchanges of ideas, allowing them to learn from each other. The Organic Farm Knowledge tools are stored permanently on the Organic Eprints database – the online archive of publications and other materials related to organic farming research that is maintained by the International Centre for Research in Organic Food Systems (ICROFS). While Organic Eprints contains all types of information (scientific and practice-oriented), the targeted users of Organic Farm Knowledge are farmers and farm advisors, and so only tools designed for practitioners are available.
Target
The targeted users of the app are primarily the organic farmers in each country (of which there were 420 000 in Europe in 2018) and their advisors, although the app can also benefit and serve as an information source for conventional farmers wanting to transition to organic farming methods, as well as those considering conversion to organic production. The app is available in 14 languages, making it accessible to practitioners all across Europe. User statistics suggest that the site has been visited by visitors from a total of 100 countries, primarily the United States (14%), followed by Germany, Switzerland, Italy and the United Kingdom (with ratios of 6–7%), although most users (70%) are based in Europe.
Business model
The app is open and free for registration and use, and the content is gathered and made accessible to the user by IFOAM and other partners. New tools can be added by contacting the organization and following simple instructions.
Impact
A user survey was conducted from 8 June to 10 July 2020 in 11 different languages, garnering 71 responses in total, primarily from organic farmers, researchers and advisors. The results revealed that most users wanted to (1) learn something new about organic farming, (2) to browse innovations, and/or (3) to find a solution to a specific problem. Online information was by far the most important source of information for all the respondents, far exceeding discussions with farmers, advisors and/or researchers, as well as printed material. An online tool or app is essential for attracting the attention of the younger generation of farmers.
Partners
OK-Net Arable; OK-Net EcoFeed; Best4Soil; Biofruitnet; LIVESEED; RELACS; ReMIX; CORE Organic; FutureEUAqua; Wikifarmer; OrganicTargets4EU
Four Betters
Better production
Better environment
