Participatory Action Research in Agriculture

John Diaz andYsabel 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.

Ysabel Polanco andJohn 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.

John Diaz andYsabel Polanco

This publication provides Extension professionals with practical guidance for implementing participatory action research (PAR) in agricultural contexts. As the fourth installment in the Ask IFAS series on PAR, it focuses on the transition from planning to action, offering strategies to launch participatory projects, collect data collaboratively, navigate group dynamics, and sustain engagement during the implementation phase. Written by John Diaz and Ysabel Polanco, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, April 2026.

John Diaz andYsabel Polanco

This is the first article in a six-part series on participatory action research (PAR) that introduces a phased framework for implementing PAR in agricultural settings, including stages of problem identification, co-design, implementation, observation, reflection, and iteration. This publication draws on foundational literature in PAR and agricultural research to present a clear and accessible introduction for Extension professionals and agricultural practitioners. Written by John Diaz and Ysabel Polanco, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, January 2026.

John Diaz andYsabel 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.

John Diaz andYsabel 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.