Mixed methods approach to understanding farmer and agricultural advisor perceptions of climate change and adaptation in Vermont, United States
Rachel E. Schattman a, V. Ernesto Méndezb, Scott C. Merrillc, and Asim Ziad
aUnited States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeast Climate Hub, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA; bDepartment of Plant and Soil Science, Agroecology and Livelihoods Collaborative, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA; cDepartment of Plant and Soil Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA; dDepartment of Community Development and Applied Economics, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
ABSTRACT
The relationships among farmers’ belief in climate change, perceptions of climate-related risk, and use of climate adaptation practices is a growing topic of interest in U.S. scholarship. The northeast region is not well represented in the literature, although it is highly agricultural and will likely face climaterelated risks that differ from those faced in other regions. We used a mixed methods approach to examine northeast farmers’ perceptions of climate change and climate-related risks over time, and perceived trade-offs associated with on-farm practices. Our investigation shows how northeastern farmers think about climate-risk, and what they are doing to address it.
KEYWORDS
Agriculture; agroecology; best management practices; climate change; risk
From change to transition? Learning from environmental protection activities in Sweden
Karin Eksvärda and Kristina Marquardtb
aInspire Action & Research AB, Knivsta, Sweden; bDepartment of Urban and Rural Development, Swedish University of Agriculture, Uppsala, Sweden
ABSTRACT
The Swedish government accepts in principle that agriculture needs to move from being an activity that contributes to
humankind’s excess demand on the planet to become an activity that regenerates ecosystem services. The major tool
for development of European agriculture is the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of the EU implemented in the member rural development programs (RDP). Swedish farmers are dependent on the subsidies and payments of the RDP yet many are very critical of the program, especially those with animals and semi-natural pastures. A study based on semistructured interviews with farmers in three districts in Sweden reveals the main reasons for their criticism to be: they feel trapped by regulations, powerless with respect to the controlling agency and lacking control of their finances. The study also identifies factors in the program that hinder the implementation of the sustainability goals of the CAP and RDP. The article recommends the adoption of guiding principles for facilitating transitions toward sustainable agriculture and emerging solutions to the challenges farmers experience.
KEYWORDS
Sustainable agriculture; farmer experiences; systems thinking; agroecology; rural development program
Productivist or multifunctional: An activity theory approach to the development of organic farming concepts in Sweden
Weronika Ś wiergiel a, Marco Pereira Querolb, Birgitta Rämerta, Marco Tasina, and Irene Vänninenc
aDepartment of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden; bDepartment of Agricultural Engineering, Federal University of Sergipe, Cidade Universitária, São Cristóvão, Brazil; cNatural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Natural Resources and Bioproduction, Jokioinen, Finland
ABSTRACT
This study proposes a unit of analysis based on cultural historical activity theory for examining the development of organic farming
(OF) concepts. The study investigates whether organic farms are becoming more like conventional farms, with related environmental and social problems. The framework is illustrated with a historical analysis of the Swedish case of organic apple farming. The analysis shows that in Sweden, conventionalization is part of the current dominant “intensive organic farming concept”, while an emerging concept, the “ecology of food systems”, is attempting to break free from this process. The proposed analytical framework can be used for comparing OF concepts and for guiding future development efforts according to the needs of stakeholders.
KEYWORDS
Apple production; concept formation; conventionalization; developmental dimensions
