Agents’ Perceptions Of Structure: How Illinois Organic Farmers View Political, Economic, Social, and Ecological Factors

Various structural factors influence organic farmer decision-making. Analyses that combine structure and agency provide an opportunity for understanding farmers\u27 perceptions of the political, economic, and social world in which they operate. Rich conversational interviews, conducted with twenty certified organic farmers in Illinois and analyzed with multiple qualitative methods, show how farmers mediate structural concerns. In addition to political, economic, and social structures, a fourth structure is needed. Indeed these organic farmers emphasize the importance of ecological factors in their decision-making. Within the perceived economic, political, social, and ecological structures, numerous topics (i.e., marketing, policy, family, ecosystems) and subtopics (i.e., diversification, farm programs, traditions, soils) exist. Farmers\u27 quotations provide detailed information of how they view and mediate structures in their daily on-farm decision-making

Exploring Linkages between Consumer Food Co-operatives and Domestic Fair Trade in the United States

Consumer Food Co-operatives (co-ops) have provided consumers an alternative to corporate supermarkets and big-box stores since the 1960s. Producers seeking broader marketing opportunities often turn to co-ops. This study examines how, within Alternative Food Networks (AFNs), co-ops play a role in the emergence of the Domestic Fair Trade movement in the US. The Domestic Fair Trade (DFT) movement is based on the idea that family farms and small- to mid-sized farms in the global north are facing many of the same pressures as producers in the global south. The Domestic Fair Trade Association (DFTA) in the United States is the umbrella organization for a variety of stakeholders. The DFTA seeks to support family-scale farming, to reinforce farmer-led initiatives such as farmer co-operatives, and to bring these groups together with mission-based traders, retailers and concerned consumers to contribute to the movement for sustainable agriculture in North America (1). This study assessed five co-ops (through interviews and document analysis) to determine their experiences with integrating DFT into their business practices. The research reveals that DFT concepts are important to co-operative decision-makers, but they are faced with challenges when it comes to actually integrating DFT into their business model. Insight into stakeholder perceptions and professional level DFT activities, indicates that co-ops will be a key factor is whether the DFT movement will succeed in the US

Linking Research and Policy: Assessing a Framework for Organic Agricultural Support in Ireland

This paper links social science research and agricultural policy through an analysis of support for organic agriculture and food. Globally, sales of organic food have experienced 20% annual increases for the past two decades, and represent the fastest growing segment of the grocery market. Although consumer interest has increased, farmers are not keeping up with demand. This is partly due to a lack of political support provided to farmers in their transition from conventional to organic production. Support policies vary by country and in some nations, such as the US, vary by state/province. There have been few attempts to document the types of support currently in place. This research draws on an existing Framework tool to investigate regionally specific and relevant policy support available to organic farmers in Ireland. This exploratory study develops a case study of Ireland within the framework of ten key categories of organic agricultural support: leadership, policy, research, technical support, financial support, marketing and promotion, education and information, consumer issues, inter-agency activities, and future developments. Data from the Irish Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority (Teagasc), and other governmental and semi-governmental agencies provide the basis for an assessment of support in each category. Assessments are based on the number of activities, availability of information to farmers, and attention from governmental personnel for each of the ten categories. This policy framework is a valuable tool for farmers, researchers, state agencies, and citizen groups seeking to document existing types of organic agricultural support and discover policy areas which deserve more attention

Irish Chefs and Restaurants in the Geography of “Local” Food Value Chains

Restaurant chefs and owners have a potentially influential role to play in promoting the use of local foods and supporting producers. Indeed chefs are taste makers, and their conceptualization of local food can influence consumers’ perceptions, knowledge and geographical awareness. Yet their role is not well documented in research literature. In-depth interviews were conducted with seven purposively selected chefs in Galway City, Ireland, who are seeking to develop a local cuisine. Menus, websites, and statements of philosophy were also analyzed. Attention focused on the definition of local food, sources of supply, how local food is used in cuisine, and how it is presented on menus. Common themes among restaurants include the geographic stretching of local food to include artisan products, issues of seasonality and variability in supply, and questions about the authenticity of promoting the use of local foods. There are opportunities for building linkages between chefs and local producers, to promote authentic use of locally sourced foods. Recommendations are made for five strategies to build a sustainable local food geography, based on strengthening the farmer- to-chef shortened value chain

A Geographic Approach to Place and Natural Resource Use in Local Food Systems

This article illuminates the geographic concept of ‘place’ in local foods. Because the social aspects of local food have been more fully addressed in previous literature, this review focuses instead on the ecological aspects of farming and food. First, the literature on natural resource use in agriculture provides contextual understanding of water use, biodiversity, soils and agro-ecological methods. The complex relationship between climate change and agriculture is described and models assessing the impacts of climate change on agriculture are detailed. The geography of local food is specifically addressed by describing methods for assessing natural resource use in local food, including food miles, consumer transportation, scale and community, agricultural methods and diet. Finally, future research paths are suggested to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the environmental impact of local food. Such research would encompass the geography of local food through development of broader, more inclusive strategy, including the concept of the ‘ecological appetite’ of crops and foods, the union of both social and ecological aspects of resource use, the linkages between rural and urban producers and consumers and the inclusion of farmers’ ecological knowledge. Overall, the geography of local food seeks to assess the where of food production and consumption, while incorporating key issues of how (agro-ecological methods benefiting the community) and what (locally appropriate crops)

A Framework to Assess State Support of Certified Organic Farming

Support for organic farming varies from state to state, and there have been few attempts to document what types of support currently exists. This research assesses regionally specific and relevant support available to organic farmers at the state level. This exploratory study develops a framework of ten key categories of organic agricultural support: leadership, policy, research, technical support, financial support, marketing and promotion, education and information, consumer issues, inter-agency activities, and future developments. Data from state departments of agriculture, land grant universities, extension services, and other state-level agencies provide the basis for a numerical assessment of support in each category. State assessments are based on the number of activities, availability of information, and attention from personnel for each of the ten categories. A pilot study of Minnesota and Illinois was conducted to verify the utility of the framework and to explore the variation of support available within a region. This assessment framework is a valuable tool for farmers, researchers, state agencies, and citizen groups seeking to document existing types of organic agricultural support and discover topics that need more attention

Insights and Applications Assessing Public Participation in U.S. Watershed Planning Initiatives

A mail survey of 126 federally funded watershed planning initiatives yielded valid responses from 64 watershed contacts. Quantitative analysis revealed wide variation among watershed initiatives in terms of population size and land area encompassed. Likewise, watershed organization and participation characteristics ( agencies involved, frequency of meetings, and number of active participants) vary greatly. Qualitative analysis delineated the key issues of concern to watershed contacts: agricultural land use, stakeholder awareness, and interaction between local and federal entities. While specific situations vary by watershed, results indicate that door-to-door contact, public meetings, and information programs are the most useful methods for soliciting participation. Participation was perceived to be most helpful in the planning stages of outreach, identifying issues, and prioritizing issues. The perceived effects of participatory watershed planning include increasing awareness of watershed conditions, heightening interagency coordination, reaching consensus on resource management plans, and lending legitimacy to final plans

Role of NGOs in Addressing Agricultural Challenges through Certified Organic Agriculture in Developing Regions: A Zimbabwe Case Study

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are promoting certified organic agriculture to improve livelihoods and revive Zimbabwe’s ailing agriculture sector. Certified organic agriculture has the potential to address these challenges by seeking lucrative export markets. A qualitative study utilizing semi-structured interviews and website textual content analysis was used to determine the role of NGOs promoting certified organic agriculture in Zimbabwe. Results indicate that the main role of NGOs was to promote community development with partnerships and advocacy as strategies used to educate and create awareness on certified organic agriculture importance. Lack of government support undermines expansion of certified organic agriculture in the country

Alternative Agriculture Characteristics in Zimbabwe: Experts Views

Policy makers, Non-Governmental Organizations, and environmental experts advocate for alternative agriculture to revive the agricultural sector in Zimbabwe and address climate change and environmental degradation. However, alternative agriculture is underdeveloped and the concept lacks clarity within the country’s context thereby undermining its expansion. Using qualitative research design comprising of semistructured interviews with eight experts actively involved in alternative agriculture promotion in Zimbabwe, this study was conducted to identify key attributes of alternative agriculture and the associated activities in the country. Findings from the study revealed that consumer food perceptions and international agencies marginalized alternative agriculture. To counteract marginalization, advocates were actively developing local markets that never existed before. These findings provide vital information that may inform policy and assist further development of alternative agriculture in developing regions