Participatory Action Research in Agriculture

Editorial Team

John Diaz - Author

Publications

Evaluating Participatory Action Research Projects: Process, Outcomes, and Use

John Diaz and Ysabel Polanco

This is the fifth article in the Participatory Action Research in Agriculture series, designed for Extension professionals working in agricultural contexts. It provides practical guidance on evaluation strategies, approaches, and common challenges in participatory action research projects, offering tools and insights to help practitioners assess progress, document outcomes, and strengthen both research quality and community impact. Written by John Diaz and Ysabel Polanco, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, January 2026.

thumbnail for publication: Sustaining Community Change through Participatory Action Research: A Framework for Enduring Impact in Agricultural Systems

Sustaining Community Change through Participatory Action Research: A Framework for Enduring Impact in Agricultural Systems

Ysabel Polanco and John Diaz

Participatory action research (PAR) has emerged as a transformative methodology in agricultural development, blending collaborative inquiry with direct action to generate locally relevant, sustainable change. This final article in a series on PAR focuses on sustaining the impacts, relationships, and innovations generated through these community-based research endeavors. Written by Ysabel Polanco and John Diaz, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, February 2026.

Engaging Stakeholders and Identifying Issues in Participatory Action Research

John Diaz and Ysabel Polanco

Participatory action research (PAR) is a robust methodology for advancing community-driven inquiry, particularly within agricultural and rural development contexts. This second article in the PAR series focuses on essential strategies for engaging stakeholders and identifying priority issues early in the PAR process. The goal is to equip Extension professionals and researchers with a roadmap for launching participatory projects that are equitable, grounded, and impactful. Written by John Diaz and Ysabel Polanco, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, October 2025.

Co-Design for Participatory Action Research in Agriculture: A Practical Guide for Extension

John Diaz and Ysabel Polanco

This is the third article in the Participatory Action Research (PAR) series that explores the co-design phase of PAR, where Extension professionals and community stakeholders collaboratively construct a research plan. Through a review of literature and examples from agricultural contexts, this publication offers practical strategies for fostering shared goals, clarifying roles, selecting relevant methodologies, and maintaining flexibility. Written by John Diaz and Ysabel Polanco, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, December 2025.