In July 1987, some 50 social and natural scientists of roughly equal numbers met at the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) at the University of Sussex, UK, for a workshop on 'Farmers and Agricultural Research: Complementary Methods', later more generally known as the 'Farmer First' workshop. That workshop marked a key moment in the development of approaches to farmer participation in agricultural research and extension, drawing together experiences from a diverse range of individuals and organisations from both North and South.

Now in 2007 the Future Agricultures Consortium in association with the STEPS Centre at Sussex are hosting an international workshop, 'Farmer First Revisited', at IDS from 12-14 December 2007 to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the original 'Farmer First' event. This website presents information for participants and other interested readers on this major workshop and related efforts that aim to put farmers first.