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This article is focused on the evolution of relationships between agronomic researchers and farmers’ collectives concerning knowledge production in agriculture. In relation to debates about devices for environmental evaluation of minimum tillage techniques, we emphasize the emergence of epistemic tensions within French research and development organizations in agriculture. Scientists and extension workers are polarized on different experimentation practices in agronomy and soil sciences, reflecting a more or less pronounced implication/engagement along side farmers. This article crosses this approach issuing from sociology of science with an analysis of professional dynamics in agriculture. It emphasizes the strategic and identity dimensions of these tensions for the re-composition of professional segments wishing to promote different models of alternative and ecological agriculture.