Progress 10/01/00 to 09/30/05
Outputs
The emergent trend in the Finger Lakes region in New York toward small farm production of specialty commodities targeted at strategic niche markets is partly linked to a knowledge base outside the conventional agricultural knowledge system. Often referred to as local knowledge or farmer knowledge, a growing segment of the agricultural knowledge community is beginning to show interest in its ecological and environmental implications. Yet extension educators and practitioners who work with agricultural communities know little about local knowledge, how it is produced, and how it is tied to specific management practices. This study examined the agricultural knowledge interests and patterns of knowledge diffusion among organic producers in the Finger Lakes region of New York. Growing consumer demand for organic products in recent years have been directly linked to increased value orientations toward food production under management conditions that guarantee natural flavors
and residue-free products. Because organic agricultural producers may have knowledge and technology needs different than conventional agriculture with potentially important economic, environmental and social implications, it was deemed necessary to explore and facilitate understanding of the knowledge and technology interests of this community of producers. Understanding organic farmer knowledge needs can contribute to responsive interventions that in turn support efforts to meet growing consumer demands for food produced under environmentally and socially sustainable conditions. This study also explored the farmer knowledge production as a cognitive site where learning occurs, and new knowledge that has important implications for small farm-rural community entrepreneurial viability emerges. The new learning that occurs as organic farmers implement, test and adapt alternative management strategies can enhance their potentials to contribute to the knowledge base of sustainable
agriculture. Integrating farmer learning into outreach programming can enhance extension roles in revitalizing small farms and communities in the Northeast. Participant observations, semi structured interviews and focus group sessions were employed to explore farmer innovative practices, experience-based knowledge, and patterns by which knowledge is being shared and diffused among the larger community of organic producers in the region. Participants for the study were identified through a Cornell Cooperative Extension directory of certified organic farmers. Participants were drawn from six counties in the region and include Chemung, Cortland, Schuyler, South Seneca, Tioga and Tompkins. To complement individual data collected from farmer participants, an in-depth case study was also conducted with one certified organic network, The New York Certified Organics, NYCO.
Impacts
This research has contributed to a more nuanced understanding of farmer knowledge in organic agriculture. It has generated empirical evidence on organic farmer knowledge and innovations, thereby drawing attention to their abilities to manage complex agro-ecological systems with minimal external inputs. The study showed that organic producers draw on a wide array of local ecological knowledge from own experience, and from other producers through formal and informal networks to guide management decisions and practice. They articulated the knowledge exchange and sharing as informal learning processes keenly in resonance with their management needs and philosophy of agriculture. Organic farmer networks can be significant mechanisms for facilitating effective engagement of Extension to rural constituents, including producers and consumers in ways that contribute to the sustainability of local food systems. Farmer networks can also usefully align applied agricultural
research with the relevant knowledge interests and technology needs in organic production.
Publications
- Kroma, M. 2006. Organic farmer networks: Facilitating learning and innovation for sustainable agriculture. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture. Vol. 28, 3. Forthcoming.
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
This research focuses on the agricultural knowledge interests and patterns of knowledge diffusion among organic producers in surrounding county area farms including Chemung, Cortland, Schuyler, South Seneca, Tioga and Tompkins. Through participant observation, and semi- structured interviews, it explores farmers innovative practices, experience-based knowledge, and patterns by which knowledge is shared and diffused among the larger community of organic producers. Results indicate that both formal and informal organic farmer networks play important roles in farmer innovation and diffusion of learning. Results indicate that involvement of cooperative extension in organic activities is low compared to their participation in conventional systems. Case studies of two organic networks have been completed. Results illuminate the characteristics of farmer networks and modes of organizing for diffusion of learning. Analyses of data show that farmer networks function as
important learning sites where farmers are building their knowledge capacities and skills through peer learning and exchange of experience. A peer-reviewed paper based on preliminary analysis was presented at the Annual meeting of the Association for International Agriculture and Extension Education in Dublin, Ireland in May 2004. A Masters thesis in the Department of Education, titled: Farmers Agricultural Knowledge Networks: A Case Study Of The New York Certified Organic (NYCO) Network was completed in December 2004.
Impacts
This research has contributed to a more nuanced understanding of experiential knowledge in organic agriculture. It has generated empirical evidence on organic farmers knowledge-related activities and innovations, thereby drawing attention to farmers abilities to manage complex agro-ecological systems. Organic producers draw on a wide array of local ecological knowledge from own experience, and from others producers through formal and informal networks to guide management decisions and practice. Farmers have articulated the knowledge exchange and sharing as informal learning processes keenly in resonance with their management needs. Organic farmer networks suggest a direction for increasing the participation of public extension systems and enhancing linkages between research and organic production. It can facilitate the (re) engagement of extension to their constituents, producers and consumers, in ways that contribute to the sustainability of local food systems and a
more vibrant and diverse agricultural base in the Northeast.
Publications
- Kroma, M. 2004. Farmers Knowledge Networks. Facilitating Learning and Innovation for a Multi-functional Agriculture. Published Proceedings of the twentieth Annual Conference of the AIAEE, May, 2004. http://ag.arizona.edu/aiaee/2004.htm
- Anne Naggayi. 2004. Farmers Agricultural Knowledge Networks: A Case Study Of The New York Certified Organic Network. Thesis submitted to Cornell University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the M.S. Degree in Education.
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
This research focuses on the agricultural knowledge interests and patterns of knowledge diffusion among small farm and organic producers in surrounding county area farms, including Chemung, Cortland, Schuyler, Seneca, Tioga and Tompkins. Through participant observation, and semi- structured interviews, it explores their innovative practices, experience-based knowledge, and patterns by which knowledge is shared and diffused among the larger community of small farm and organic farmers. Results indicate that both formal and informal farmer networks play important roles in farmer innovation and diffusion of learning. It also indicates that involvement of extension in organic and small farm activities is low compared to their participation in conventional farming systems. Case studies of two organic farmer networks are being done to illuminate the characteristics of farmer networks and modes of organizing for diffusion of learning. A peer-reviewed paper based on
preliminary analysis has been accepted for presentation at the Annual meeting of the Association of International Agriculture and Extension Education in Dublin Ireland in May 2004. A newsletter article titled, Farmer Networks: Making the Local and Global Connections is accepted for publication in Spring 2004 in an agricultural newsletter, the Small Farm Quarterly.
Impacts
The results of this research can contribute to better understandings of experiential knowledge on small farms, and in organic agriculture. It is generating empirical evidence on the knowledge-related activities and innovations of organic farmers, thereby drawing attention to their abilities to manage complex agro-ecological systems. Organic farmers draw on a wide array of local ecological knowledge from own experience, and from other producers through formal and informal networks to guide management decisions and practice. Farmers have articulated their knowledge exchange and sharing as an informal learning process keenly in resonance with their management needs. Organic farmer networks suggest a direction for increasing the participation of public extension systems and enhancing linkages between research and organic production. It can facilitate the (re) engagement of extension to communities of producers and consumers in ways that contribute to the sustainability of
local food systems, and a more vibrant and diverse agricultural base in the Northeast.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
This research was started in 2000 with an in-depth review and critique of published literature on small farmer management practices and innovations in Northeast New York. A first phase of visits to a cross section of Ithaca area small farms and NOFA-NY certified farms was completed. Similar research was undertaken in the Greater Afram Plains in Central Ghana in order to understand the knowledge dimensions and innovative practices of small farmers. Two papers on the process and preliminary insights were presented at professional meetings. In 2002, semi-structured interviews were conducted with farmers registered in the 2001 NOFA-NY directory of certified organic producers, and a directory of area small farms published by Cornell Cooperative Extension. The distribution of farmers covered six counties. These include Chemung, Cortland, Schuyler, South Seneca, Tioga and Tompkins counties. On-farm visits are currently underway and focus group sessions with both subsets of
the population of area small farmers, as well as certified organic farmers, constitute the next set of research activities.
Impacts
Emerging insights from ongoing analysis of semi-structured interviews suggest that both types of farmers draw on a wide array of local ecological knowledge from their own experience, and from other farmers and farmer groups to guide management decisions and practice. Farmers have articulated this knowledge exchange and sharing as informal learning processes keenly in resonance with their management needs that also serve to mediate perceived ecological risks. Certified organic farmers indicate that they generally find knowledge resources from extension often inadequate and/or irrelevant to their particular practices and decision-making. However some area small farmers recognize extension as a knowledge resource that continues to be beneficial to some of their practices. The potentials and expected impacts of this research on extension relates to both policy and practice. It contributes to empirical evidence that supports the allocation of resources for research into
emerging/alternative knowledge interests among a small, but growing population of non-conventional farmers in the Northeast. It suggests a direction for increasing the relevance of non-formal farmer/rural education to the diversity of farm types characteristic of Northeast Agriculture by integrating knowledge domains conventionally outside the mainstream of technical knowledge in agriculture. Ultimately it should facilitate the (re)engagement of extension to communities in ways that contribute to a more vibrant and diverse agricultural base in the Northeast.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
In the last ten months since the initiation of this research, an in-depth review and critique of published literature on small farmer management practices and innovations in the Northeast was conducted. A first phase of on farm visits and research activities were conducted in order to understand, assess and compare the ecological cognitive dimensions of the knowledge and innovative practices used in production. Two papers on the process and preliminary insights were presented at professional meetings. Current activities under way include semi-structured interviews with NOFA certified organic producers in two Northeastern New York counties, and collaborating extension staff.
Impacts
A comprehensive summary of empirical studies on small farm management, experimentation and knowledge in the Northeast that is being completed will potentially serve as a guide and information source of small farmer knowledge and management strategies for extension. A comparative assessment of the limits and potentials of the knowledge and management practices of a group of farmers engaged in specialty niche production in the Greater Afram plains in Ghana is currently providing a basis for developing a comparative understanding of the nature of farmer agricultural knowledge in situated contexts and its potentials for guiding similar approaches to specialty production in the Northeast.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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