Result demonstrations and applied research projects are educational tools used to compare and evaluate technologies, products and management practices. Cooperators volunteer their land, landscapes, and infrastructure for these projects and learn along with the AgriLife Extension professionals. The non-biased results are shared through educational meetings, newsletters, news articles, websites and professional posters.
Applied research projects answer specific questions, or test a hypothesis, using basic concepts in experimental design. Result Demonstrations show how a proven practice, product or method works under local conditions.
The reports serve as decision aids for agricultural producers, landowners, home gardeners and landscape managers. The adoption of new technologies, products, or practices should first be evaluated on a small scale because varying weather conditions and other factors may affect results. Results from demonstrations or applied research projects are more reliable when data is collected over an extended period of time (minimum of 3 years).