A social learning video method: Identifying and sharing successful transformation knowledge for sustainable soil management in Switzerland

To enhance sustainable land use, a From Farmer to Farmer project was conducted in Switzerland (2001 – 2010). A Multi-stakeholder Discussion Group co-produced nine videos with experienced farmers and wine producers showing sustainable soil management practices. We analysed the video audio-visual content and drew on reflections of the coproduction process, referring to concepts of system, target and transformation knowledge, as well as on social learning. The analysis showed a broad range of means (or actions) for sustainable soil management in arable land management, fodder production and wine growing that are aligned to transformation knowledge. The research showed that farmers refer to three phases of social learning, light-bulb moments, coping with challenges and gaining successful expertise. These are not just linear processes of individuals, four types of social learning were also found in the video analysis: 1) learning from observing actions of others, 2) sharing experiences with storytelling, 3) informal social interactions and 4) being a role model with a large social network. Videos enable transformation knowledge to be shared with peers using storytelling; this powerful narrative communication style provides credibility and respects the ‘thought style’ of the target audience group. We conclude that for successful implemention of sustainable actions, it is important to address a specific target group and share transformation knowledge built upon system and target knowledge. The social learning video method is a viable way to enable social learning between science, administration and practice and has potential for fostering change in sustainable soil management

Teaching transdisciplinary competencies for sustainability transformation by co-producing social learning videos

Film has great potential to initiate social learning processes. Therefore, working with film is suitable as a teaching format that enables co-production of knowledge and transformative learning. Through participatory filmmaking, students can acquire transdisciplinary competencies, which are necessary for sustainability transformations. We discuss how transdisciplinary competences can be acquired by building on transformative teaching by co-producing social learning videos

Revealing different understandings of soil held by scientists and farmers in the context of soil protection and management

This paper aims to analyse and draw together results from similar studies in England, Switzerland and France which investigated farmers' understanding of soil and compared it with that of scientists, researchers and advisors (collectively called scientists in this analysis). A range of methods were used across the three studies and different theoretical approaches, looking at forms of knowledge, local practice of knowledge production and conceptions of reality, were employed to explain the results. Despite the different contexts, methodologies and theoretical approaches in the three studies, the results reveal similar patterns of difference in farmer and scientist understanding of soil. In the English study, farmers demonstrate a 'know-how' form or intuitive working knowledge of soil while advisors rely on scientifically established forms of 'know-why' and seek to understand and explain soil processes. Similarly in the Swiss study farmers' and scientists' differing perceptions are directed and shaped by their respective aims, methods and context of work. In the French study, farmers and researchers are shown to have different conceptions of soil, they attribute different meaning to the same activities, and use different words and language to describe the same features. In all three studies understanding is shown to be cultural and contextual, as such an integrative theoretical framework is proposed

Social Learning Processes in Swiss Soil Protection—The ‘From Farmer - To Farmer' Project

Social learning approaches have become a prominent focus in studies related to sustainable agriculture. In order to better understand the potential of social learning for more sustainable development, the present study assessed the processes, effects and facilitating elements of interaction related to social learning in the context of Swiss soil protection and the innovative ‘From Farmer - To Farmer' project. The study reveals that social learning contributes to fundamental transformations of patterns of interactions. However, the study also demonstrates that a learning-oriented understanding of sustainable development implies including analysis of the institutional environments in which the organizations of the individual representatives of face-to-face-based social learning processes are operating. This has shown to be a decisive element when face-to-face-based learning processes of the organisations' representatives are translated into organisational learning. Moreover, the study revealed that this was achieved not directly through formalisation of new lines of institutionalised cooperation but by establishing links in a ‘boundary space' trying out new forms of collaboration, aiming at social learning and co-production of knowledge. It is argued that further research on social learning processes should give greater emphasis to this intermediary level of ‘boundary spaces

Wissensaustausch zwischen Forschung und Praxis erfolgreich gestalten

Um die gesellschaftliche Transformation zu gestalten, wird der Austausch von Wissen zwischen Wissenschaft und Praxis immer wichtiger. Dieser Artikel benennt Prinzipien, Kompetenzen und Rahmenbedingungen für erfolgreichen Wissensaustausch

“Von Bauern für Bauern” – Ein handlungsorientierter Projektansatz für eine nachhaltige Bodennutzung (Workshop)

Der Workshop hat folgende Ziele: 1. Den Hintergrund des Projektes „Von Bauern für Bauern“ vorzustellen und wissenschaftlich zu erläutern. 2. Den TeilnehmerInnen Gelegenheit geben die Filme anzuschauen und ihre Wirkung zu analysieren. 3. Wesentliche Erkenntnisse für die Umsetzung ableiten. Innovative Bauern aus verschiedenen Regionen der Schweiz erzählen von ihren Erfahrungen mit bodenschonenden Arbeitsmethoden. Ihr Wissen ist in Zusammenarbeit mit Bodenfachleuten entstanden und über viele Jahre der Praxis gewachsen. Sie vermitteln es direkt und in ihrer Sprache: «Von Bauern für Bauern». Ein Filmteam hat diese „Erfahrungsgeschichten“ in fünf Kurzfilmen eingefangen (siehe www.vonbauernfuerbauern.ch). Die Filme werden seither v.a. von bäuerlichen Netzwerken eingesetzt, um Diskussionen bezüglich Boden schonenden Methoden auszulösen. Die Filme sind zudem die Grundlage für eine neuartige Diskussion zwischen Forschung und Praxis. Ablauf des Workshops: 1. Projektansatz vorstellen und wissenschaftlich begründen (inkl Resultate COST Projekt „On- an Off-site Effectiveness of Soil an Water Conservation in Switzerland – Steps Towards the Integrations of Scientific, Experts’ and Farmers’ Knowledge 05 bis 08), 2. Filmbeispiele zeigen (vor allem aus dem Modul Biolandbau), Filmanalyse, 3. Wesentliche Elemente, die für die Umsetzung von Erfahrungswissen wichtig sind, erarbeiten