Cultivating Wisdom
Agroecology Research and Innovation from Experts in the Field
Resource explained
This publication represents two years of innovative, farmer-led research from the ‘Experts in Your Field’ project (an Agroecology Research Collaboration project, which Landworkers’ Alliance, Organic Growers Alliance, the CSA Network, Pasture for Life and the Ecological Land Co-operative are part of). The book contains short reports written by the participants of the project from the trials implemented on their own farms. The trials cover various aspects of agroecology, including biodiversity, soil health, agroforestry and social aspects of agroecology. The summaries are mostly 1-3 pages per holding or trial in length and vary in style from stories of the projects to more detailed presentation of data. The collation is more a snapshot of the range of research being carried out, the processes involved, and the topics of interest, rather than a summary of results. The lack of conclusions presented emphasise the longer time span needed for meaningful results.
Findings & recommendations
- The book showcases grassroots research and innovation and the potential for on-farm research and learning and peer-to-peer knowledge exchange. It recognises and celebrates the expertise of the hands-on practitioner.
- The value of stories, culture and the little-documented experiences and knowledge of small-scale (including allotment and gardens) growers and farmers is emphasised.
- Data can back up intuition, validate and inform management decisions, and help make the case of agroecology and nature-friendly farming.
- Sometimes results were unexpected and showed the need to address issues e.g. soil compaction.
“…it is possible to produce enough healthy, affordable food without all the mess and misery we now see in the wake of the industrial model.”
(Dairy farmer David Finlay)
Header image courtesy of Jane Sweetman. All Rights Reserved.