Conclusions

There is good potential for sustainable localisation and recycling in rural food systems around the Baltic Sea. Localisation and recycling enhance sustainability in its ecological, economic and social dimensions. A sustainable way of localisation and recycling would be local recycling between farms and from the demand chain

Results and discussion

In this chapter, the interdisciplinary synthesis of the results of the BERAS project is presented and discussed. First, the effects of localisation and enhanced recycling on the ecological, economic and social dimensions of sustainability based on the case studies are reported, the cases where food systems and farms studied in their present state. Thereafter, the positive additional effects on sustainability obtainable by further promotion of localisation and recycling in the cases are suggested. The impact of total conversion to recycling organic agriculture is then considered. Obstacles to and solutions for localisation and recycling are identified. An finally, on the basis of these, conclusions about the sustainable way to localise and recycle are presented

Introduction

This volume consists of two papers approaching the question of social sustainability in the context of alternative food systems. Both papers originate from Beras project, and consequently have their empirical base on case studies conducted within the Baltic Sea region

Congregations and rural development The case of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland

Approximately 84 percent of Finns are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Most of the Church’s 562 congregations are located in rural areas. In local communities Church congregations typically play a significant role, providing job opportunities, offering various services and promoting social and mental welfare. This paper examines the role that the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland and its congregations have in rural development. The activities of the rural congregations are examined, firstly, from the point of view of rural development on the whole. What is the potential of the congregations in rural development? Secondly, the role of congregations in rural development is examined by taking into consideration the religious motivations and justifications that the Church and congregations give for their social action.religion, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, congregations, rural, development, community attachment, social sustainability, Community/Rural/Urban Development,

Exploring the link between farmers’ entrepreneurial identities and work wellbeing

Pressure on farmers to behave more ‘entrepreneurial’ is increasing. Psychological and social science research therefore has examined what characterises farmers identifying as entrepreneurs. A previous study in Finland suggested that farmers' self-identities may conflict with the public paradigm describing farmers as entrepreneurs instead of food providers. Different expectations towards farming may cause identity issues and decrease work wellbeing. The present study examines the relationship of work wellbeing and entrepreneurial identification. Utilizing the Maslach Burnout Inventory and the theory of Entrepreneurial Identity, the results show that work wellbeing is higher for diversified farmers and rural business owners than for conventional farmers in Finland. Conventional farmers on the other hand experience higher rates of loss of personal control and self-efficacy, indicating that the political strategies for entrepreneurs, diversification and innovativeness, are not applicable to all farmer groups. Entrepreneurs aim for autonomy and personal control which generally may be limited in specialised, subsidy-dependent agricultural production systems. Identity formation processes and how farmers can gain more control over their businesses as well as the limitations of entrepreneurship in the momentary agricultural policy system, should be considered in upcoming policy strategies.Peer reviewe

How can organic farmers be good farmers? A study of categorisation in organic farmers' talk

Conversion from conventional to organic farming is considered to indicate changes in farmers' professional identities-more specifically, in their perceptions of the idea of a 'good farmer'. In this study, we focus on this theme by analysing how 'good farmer' ideals appear when farmers who have converted to organic agriculture make sense of the differences between conventional and organic farming. Through the discursive analysis of interviews with organic farmers, we show how they categorise farmers, producing and using an evaluative division in which both organic and conventional farmers fall into two subcategories, namely, 'practical organic farmer', 'idealistic organic farmer', 'conservative conventional farmer' and 'rational conventional farmer'. We argue that this categorisation, as a way to define a 'good farmer', enables organic farmers to create a coherent identity as 'good farmers' in regard to both their former conventional self and current organic self. Our study further contributes to the theoretical discussion on 'good farmer' by highlighting that, in addition to productivist symbols and economic viability, organic farmers also view a practical and open-minded attitude to managing the farm as a criterion of a 'good farmer', thus critically distancing themselves from conservative and ideological ideals.Peer reviewe

Interactions and entrepreneurial agency; : a relational view of entrepreneurs’ control cognitions

Peer reviewe

Social sustainability of alternative food systems viewed through actor argumentation

The method of the study was qualitative attitude research, which is based on the generation and analysis of argumentation. The material was produced by presenting selected statements concerning different aspects of social sustainability to the interviewees, asking them to comment on the statements. The attitudes towards alternative food systems were generally positive. The local and organic food production were seen more ecological, better for the economy of rural communities and more fair towards the farmer.Peer reviewe

Asiakaskunnan rakenne ja yrittäjäidentiteetin rakennuspuut : monialaisten maatilayrittäjien vaikutusmahdollisuudet markkina-areenalla

Peer reviewe

What triggers changes in adolescents' physical activity? Analysis of critical incidents during childhood and youth in student writings

Objectives: To better understand life course transitions in physical activity (PA), we should identify crucial events that may play a key role as triggers for change. The aim of this study was to understand dynamic PA change by identifying triggers that adolescents themselves relate to their PA changes. Design: A qualitative, inductive approach was used to analyse writings. Methods: Critical Incident Technique can was used to analyse 115 specimens of 15-24-year-old students' writings. Results: We identified seven critical incident categories: promoting one's own well-being, becoming aware of body-image ideals, finding an inspiring sport or losing sport motivation, encountering health problems, experiencing transitions in life circumstances, receiving support or lacking support from significant others, and becoming an adult. The adolescents' stories depicted the first three associated with agentic PA increase. Conclusions: CIT holds promise as a useful analytical method for understanding impactful events leading to changes in lifestyle PA during the life course from the participants' own perspective.Peer reviewe