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Sustainable farmer innovations Sustainable farmer innovations in emerging local food systems:in emerging local food systems:
Looking beyond adoption to adaptation and Looking beyond adoption to adaptation and development of innovationsdevelopment of innovations
PhD Defense
Justin Ellis
June 14, 2013
Innovation in AgricultureInnovation in Agriculture
Conventional Conventional ViewView
Alternative ViewAlternative View
WhatWhat Often Technology Often Technology orientedoriented
Includes any tools that Includes any tools that address the problemaddress the problem
WhyWhy Focused on commodity Focused on commodity yields and profitabilityyields and profitability
Address broader problems of Address broader problems of social, environmental and social, environmental and economic challengeseconomic challenges
HowHow Diffusion occurs through Diffusion occurs through technology transfer by technology transfer by information authoritiesinformation authorities
Innovation adaptation and Innovation adaptation and development are as development are as important as Diffusionimportant as Diffusion
A unique or novel solution to problems
that is new to the user regardless if it is new to the world
Technology Transfer Model
ResearchResearch
ExtensionExtension
FarmersFarmers
Needs
Innovation Development
Adoption
Sustainable Agriculture Development
Farmer PractionersFarmer Practioners
1.1.Research was not that interested in Research was not that interested in sustainable agriculture until fairly sustainable agriculture until fairly recently. recently.
. .
Innovation Development
2.2.SA was a response to the perceived SA was a response to the perceived financial, ecological and social costs to financial, ecological and social costs to farmers, society and the world that farmers, society and the world that chemical, capital and technological chemical, capital and technological innovations developed by research innovations developed by research science have createdscience have created
The Local Food System of Northeast GeorgiaThe Local Food System of Northeast Georgia
NC
SC
Focus on•Sustainability•Small scale•Resource limited•Newer farms
Change question fromChange question fromWhy do farmers adopt?Why do farmers adopt?
to to Why do farmers innovate?Why do farmers innovate?What do farmers innovate?What do farmers innovate?How do farmers innovate?How do farmers innovate?
Production Marketing Networking
Innovation InventoryInnovation Inventory
Innovation TypologyInnovation Typology
Adaptation andAdaptation andDevelopment Development
ProcessesProcesses
• Beginning of agricultural productionist era
• Hybrid seed introduced to Iowa in 1928
• Benefits + improved vigor, disease and drought resistance, 20% higher yields.
• By 1945 vast majority of Iowan farmers had adopted
• Ryan and Gross (1943) studied the diffusion of hybrid seed corn amongst farmers to understand how innovations are spread.
Inspecting ears of hybrid seed corn. Iowa, 1939. IPTV.org
The Diffusion of InnovationsThe Diffusion of Innovations
Hybrid Seed CornHybrid Seed Corn
A historical perspectiveA historical perspectiveon the study of agricultural innovationson the study of agricultural innovations
Innovation Diffusion theoryInnovation Diffusion theory
PATTERNPATTERN MANIFESTATIONMANIFESTATION
Rate of AdoptionRate of Adoption Follows S curveFollows S curve
Starts slowStarts slow
Increases rapidly after Increases rapidly after 10%-15% adoption10%-15% adoption
Stages of Stages of AdoptionAdoption
Categories of Categories of AdoptersAdopters
Attributes of Attributes of InnovationsInnovations
CritiqueCritique • Emphasis is on Adoption • Single innovations• Assumes adoption is good for all
PATTERNPATTERN MANIFESTATIONMANIFESTATION
Rate of AdoptionRate of Adoption Follows S curveFollows S curve
Starts slowStarts slow
Increases rapidly after Increases rapidly after 10%-15% adoption10%-15% adoption
Stages of Stages of AdoptionAdoption
Adoption is an indvidual Adoption is an indvidual processprocess
Categories of Categories of AdoptersAdopters
Attributes of Attributes of InnovationsInnovations
Stages of AdoptionStages of Adoption
Innovation Diffusion theoryInnovation Diffusion theory
CritiqueCritique • Assumes innovations should be adopted by all (pro innovation bias) • Little discussion of adaptations or re-invention
PATTERNPATTERN MANIFESTATIONMANIFESTATION
Rate of AdoptionRate of Adoption Follows S curveFollows S curve
Starts slowStarts slow
Increases rapidly after Increases rapidly after 10%-15% adoption10%-15% adoption
Stages of Stages of AdoptionAdoption
Adoption is an individual Adoption is an individual processprocess
Categories of Categories of AdoptersAdopters
Adopters at different Adopters at different phases share phases share characteristicscharacteristics
Attributes of Attributes of InnovationsInnovations
Innovation Diffusion theoryInnovation Diffusion theory
CritiqueCritique • Blames non-adopters (individual blame bias). • Non-adoption not due to problems with the innovation or its effects.• Issues with Equality• Bias in favor of wealthy farms
PATTERNPATTERN MANIFESTATIONMANIFESTATION
Rate of AdoptionRate of Adoption Follows S curveFollows S curve
Starts slowStarts slow
Increases rapidly after Increases rapidly after 10%-15% adoption10%-15% adoption
Stages of Stages of AdoptionAdoption
Adoption is an individual Adoption is an individual processprocess
Categories of Categories of AdoptersAdopters
Adopters at different Adopters at different phases share phases share characteristicscharacteristics
Attributes of Attributes of InnovationsInnovations
Qualities of innovations Qualities of innovations affect adoption ratesaffect adoption rates
Innovation Diffusion theoryInnovation Diffusion theory
Attributes of InnovationsAttributes of Innovations
Relative AdvantageBenefits above and beyond those offered by
existing practices.
Compatibility Consistent with existing needs, previous ideas, and individual and cultural values.
Complexity Extent to which an innovation is considered difficult to understand and implement.
Trialability Extent to which an innovation can be experimented with on a limited basis.
Observability Extent to which an innovation can be seen by others.
Innovation Diffusion theoryInnovation Diffusion theory
CritiqueCritique • Only assesses innovations according to their adoptiveness• Doesn’t address adaptability (or sustainability)•
MethodsMethodsParticipant ObservationParticipant Observation
Or in this case “Or in this case “Agroecologist!Agroecologist!””
• 36 farms visited • 28 included in study• 240 hrs of observation• Semi-structured
interviews• Participatory Action
Research in years 2-4
WhiteWhite
HabershamHabersham
RabunRabun
4 years2009-2013
Innovation InventoryInnovation Inventory
Blackberry stakes with washer adaptation for stationary wire
Mulched rows with clover cover crop in
the paths
Body SavingBetter Performance
Weed controlSOM / FertilityWheel hoe
Amish stool
Innovation InventoryInnovation Inventory
Season Extension
Cost saving, time saving, body saving,
nutrient cycling
Food SafetyIrrigation
Chicken Wagon
Cob Furnace
Sand Filter
Innovation InventoryInnovation Inventory
Time Saving
Season ExtensionCost Savings
Planting Marker
High Tunnels and Pipe Benders
Insect Control
Parasitic Wasps
Innovation AnalysisInnovation Analysis
categorized by “challenges designed to address”
ProductionInnovations
Network / Knowledge /
Marketing
1. Time Saving2. Cost Saving3. Energy Saving4. Recycled / Reuse5. Body / Labor Saving 6. Better Performance7. Yield Enhancement8. SOM (soil organic matter) Management and Soil Amendment9. Nutrient Cycling10. Irrigation / Watering 11. Season Extension 12. Insect / Pest / Disease Control13. Weed Control14. Harvest / Product Quality 15. Manufactured Equipment16. Livestock / Animal Management17. Labor Assistance18. Assessment Planning 19. Outside Income 20. Quality of Life / Lifestyle 21. Feedback 22. Network / Organizational 23. Farmer Training / Knowledge24. Crop / Food Types and Uses 25. Marketing 26. Income Enhancement 27. Food Processing 28. Food Policy29. Food Safety
Labor / Planning/ Lifestyle
Food Processing /
Safety
Innovation TypesInnovation Types
Innovation TypologyInnovation Typology
Indicates Indicates marketingmarketing and and networkingnetworking innovations innovations are as common as some are as common as some production production innovationsinnovations
Suggests where farmers Suggests where farmers in a food system are in a food system are investing in solutions to investing in solutions to problemsproblems
Does notDoes not tell us which tell us which innovations are most innovations are most importantimportant
Innovation Types ranked by frequency of occurrence
Type Category Occurrence Rank
Better performance Production 62 1
Cost Saving Production 58 2
Marketing Network / Knowledge / Marketing 55 3
Network / Organizational Network / Knowledge / Marketing 40 4
Body / Labor Saving Production 30 5
Crop / Food Types and Uses Network / Knowledge / Marketing 29 6
Time Saving Production 27 7
Yield Enhancement Production 26 8
SOM management / soil amendment Production 26 9
Season Extension Production 25 10
Insect / Disease Control Production 24 11
Manufactured equipment Production 23 12
Nutrient Cycling Production 22 13
Harvest / Product Quality Production 22 14
Recycled/Reuse Production 19 15
Income Enhancement Network / Knowledge / Marketing 18 16
Weed / Control Production 17 17
Assessment Planning Labor / Planning / Lifestyle 15 18
Farmer Training / Knowledge Network / Knowledge / Marketing 15 19
Food Processing Food Processing / Safety 12 20
Irrigation / Watering Production 10 21
Livestock/Animal Management Production 10 22
Outside Income/ Grants Labor / Planning / Lifestyle 10 23
Quality of Life / Lifestyle Labor / Planning / Lifestyle 9 24
Feedback Labor / Planning / Lifestyle 7 25
Labor assistance Labor / Planning / Lifestyle 6 26
Energy Saving Production 5 27
Food Safety Innovation Food Processing / Safety 5 28
Food Policy Food Processing / Safety 3 29
Homemade Greenhousesn=5
Greenhouse Case StudyGreenhouse Case Study
Pipe Bender
Example of aCOST SAVINGS
Innovation
Type Category Occurrence Rank
Better performance Production 62 1
Cost Saving Production 58 2
Marketing Network / Knowledge / Marketing 55 3
Network / Organizational Network / Knowledge / Marketing 40 4
Body / Labor Saving Production 30 5
Crop / Food Types and Uses Network / Knowledge / Marketing 29 6
Time Saving Production 27 7
Yield Enhancement Production 26 8
SOM management / soil amendment Production 26 9
Season Extension Production 25 10
Insect / Disease Control Production 24 11
Manufactured equipment Production 23 12
Nutrient Cycling Production 22 13
Harvest / Product Quality Production 22 14
Recycled/Reuse Production 19 15
Income Enhancement Network / Knowledge / Marketing 18 16
Weed / Control Production 17 17
Assessment Planning Labor / Planning / Lifestyle 15 18
Farmer Training / Knowledge Network / Knowledge / Marketing 15 19
Food Processing Food Processing / Safety 12 20
Irrigation / Watering Production 10 21
Livestock/Animal Management Production 10 22
Outside Income/ Grants Labor / Planning / Lifestyle 10 23
Quality of Life / Lifestyle Labor / Planning / Lifestyle 9 24
Feedback Labor / Planning / Lifestyle 7 25
Labor assistance Labor / Planning / Lifestyle 6 26
Energy Saving Production 5 27
Food Safety Innovation Food Processing / Safety 5 28
Food Policy Food Processing / Safety 3 29
NRCS FundedGreenhouses
n=6
Type Category Occurrence Rank
Better performance Production 62 1
Cost Saving Production 58 2
Marketing Network / Knowledge / Marketing 55 3
Network / Organizational Network / Knowledge / Marketing 40 4
Body / Labor Saving Production 30 5
Crop / Food Types and Uses Network / Knowledge / Marketing 29 6
Time Saving Production 27 7
Yield Enhancement Production 26 8
SOM management / soil amendment Production 26 9
Season Extension Production 25 10
Insect / Disease Control Production 24 11
Manufactured equipment Production 23 12
Nutrient Cycling Production 22 13
Harvest / Product Quality Production 22 14
Recycled/Reuse Production 19 15
Income Enhancement Network / Knowledge / Marketing 18 16
Weed / Control Production 17 17
Assessment Planning Labor / Planning / Lifestyle 15 18
Farmer Training / Knowledge Network / Knowledge / Marketing 15 19
Food Processing Food Processing / Safety 12 20
Irrigation / Watering Production 10 21
Livestock/Animal Management Production 10 22
Outside Income/ Grants Labor / Planning / Lifestyle 10 23
Quality of Life / Lifestyle Labor / Planning / Lifestyle 9 24
Feedback Labor / Planning / Lifestyle 7 25
Labor assistance Labor / Planning / Lifestyle 6 26
Energy Saving Production 5 27
Food Safety Innovation Food Processing / Safety 5 28
Food Policy Food Processing / Safety 3 29
• Primary Income vs. Secondary Income Farms• Some homemade structures built for matching costs of the NRCS
funded projects • Innovative use of capital (No one purchased a kit)• All projects reduced costs with labor. Benefits toward innovation?• Future questions: - different growing environments?
- influence of subsidies on innovation process
Total Square Feet and Material Costs of Greenhouses built by Farms between 2009-2013
`̀
Type Category Occurrence Rank
Better performance Production 62 1
Cost Saving Production 58 2
Marketing Network / Knowledge / Marketing 55 3
Network / Organizational Network / Knowledge / Marketing 40 4
Body / Labor Saving Production 30 5
Crop / Food Types and Uses Network / Knowledge / Marketing 29 6
Time Saving Production 27 7
Yield Enhancement Production 26 8
SOM management / soil amendment Production 26 9
Season Extension Production 25 10
Insect / Disease Control Production 24 11
Manufactured equipment Production 23 12
Nutrient Cycling Production 22 13
Harvest / Product Quality Production 22 14
Recycled/Reuse Production 19 15
Income Enhancement Network / Knowledge / Marketing 18 16
Weed / Control Production 17 17
Assessment Planning Labor / Planning / Lifestyle 15 18
Farmer Training / Knowledge Network / Knowledge / Marketing 15 19
Food Processing Food Processing / Safety 12 20
Irrigation / Watering Production 10 21
Livestock/Animal Management Production 10 22
Outside Income/ Grants Labor / Planning / Lifestyle 10 23
Quality of Life / Lifestyle Labor / Planning / Lifestyle 9 24
Feedback Labor / Planning / Lifestyle 7 25
Labor assistance Labor / Planning / Lifestyle 6 26
Energy Saving Production 5 27
Food Safety Innovation Food Processing / Safety 5 28
Food Policy Food Processing / Safety 3 29
Basement Growing
Cob FurnaceAlternative Heat Alternative Heat Season ExtensionSeason Extension
Case StudyCase Study
• Only occur on one farm• Why did Trillium Farms innovate?• Growing Year Round • Will People Adopt?• System Level Innovations
“Because I produce heat down here it made more sense to import light”
Identifying Key InnovationsIdentifying Key Innovations
Innovation PracticesInnovation
types addressed
Compost Tea 9
Aquaponics system 8
Compost Tea 8
NRCS Rainwater irrigation system 8
Compost Tea 8
Compost Slurry 8
CSA shares system / Cafeteria Style 7
Impact Grazing 7Using cardboard / hay for weed suppression 7Focusing on Locally Grown internet market 7
On-farm Farmers Market 7
Locally Grown market 7
Basement growing using grow lights 7
Well and watering lines Grant 6NRCS high tunnel and irrigation grants 6
Biodynamic treatments 6
NRCS Irrigation system 6
Recycled Black Plastic under tomatoes 6
Use of inexpensive tunnels 6
Locally Grown market 6
• Which innovations address the most problems?
• Which innovations have widest applicability?
• Which innovations most strongly shape farm management?
• Which innovations are shaping the local food system as a whole?
Specific Innovations and the number of innovation types they address
Compost Tea Case StudyCompost Tea Case StudySoil Food Web Priming Techniques
• Occurrence : 4 of 28 farms• Source : Non-traditional consultants
& Dr. Elaine Ingham• Impact : Addressed broadest # of production
needs (9)• Performance:
• Corn with Brix of 56 when 24 is excellent• Blueberries – no size down, flowering on one
year growth• Tomatoes and Peppers exposed to late freeze
of 31°F survived with less than 5% loss.• Other Innovation Processes – trials have been
important, example of adaptation, not a replacement for SOM amendments
Example of a Key InnovationExample of a Key Innovation
Compost Tea Case StudyCompost Tea Case StudySoil Food Web Priming Techniques
• Occurrence : 4 of 28 farms• Source : Non-traditional consultants
& Dr. Elaine Ingham• Impact : Addressed broadest # of production
needs (9)• Performance:
• Corn with Brix of 56 when 24 is excellent• Blueberries – no size down, flowering on one
year growth• Tomatoes and Peppers exposed to late freeze
of 31°F survived with less than 5% loss.• Other Innovation Processes – trials have been
important, example of adaptation, not a replacement for SOM amendments
Example of a Key InnovationExample of a Key Innovation
Production Innovation Types• Time Saving• Cost Saving• Energy Saving• Recycled / Reuse• Body / Labor Saving • Better Performance• Yield Enhancement• SOM Management • Nutrient Cycling• Irrigation / Watering •Season Extension •Insect / Pest / Disease Control•Weed Control•Harvest / Product Quality •Manufactured Equipment•Livestock / Animal Management
Compost Tea throughCompost Tea throughthe Attributes of Innovationsthe Attributes of Innovations
Relative Advantage Benefits are numerous and immediate.
Compatibility Strong
ComplexityRelatively complex • Requires specialized equipment• Microbes are difficult / impossible to measure
Trialability Strong. Most farms that had a trial adopted.
Observability Somewhat of a challenge
Compost Tea throughCompost Tea throughthe Attributes of Innovationsthe Attributes of Innovations
Relative Advantage Benefits are numerous and immediate.
Compatibility Strong
ComplexityRelatively complex • Requires specialized equipment• Microbes are difficult / impossible to measure
Trialability Strong. Most farms that had a trial adopted.
Observability Somewhat of a challenge
AdaptabilityAdaptability Extent to which an innovation can be modified or Extent to which an innovation can be modified or improved in order to better address the specific improved in order to better address the specific contexts, problems and challenges in a settingcontexts, problems and challenges in a setting
Compost Tea throughCompost Tea throughthe Attributes of Innovationsthe Attributes of Innovations
Relative Advantage Benefits are numerous and immediate.
Compatibility Strong
ComplexityRelatively complex • Requires specialized equipment• Microbes are difficult / impossible to measure
Trialability Strong. Most farms that had a trial adopted.
Observability Somewhat of a challenge
AdaptabilityAdaptabilityExtent to which an innovation can be modified or Extent to which an innovation can be modified or
improved in order to better address the specific improved in order to better address the specific contexts, problems and challenges in a settingcontexts, problems and challenges in a setting
Sustainability?Sustainability? Poorly accounted for innovation studies.Poorly accounted for innovation studies.
Identifying Key InnovationsIdentifying Key Innovations
Innovation PracticesInnovation
types addressed
Compost Tea 9
Aquaponics system 8
Compost Tea 8
NRCS Rainwater irrigation system 8
Compost Tea 8
Compost Slurry 8
CSA shares system / Cafeteria Style 7
Impact Grazing 7Using cardboard / hay for weed suppression 7Focusing on Locally Grown internet market 7
On-farm Farmers Market 7
Locally Grown market 7
Basement growing using grow lights 7
Well and watering lines Grant 6NRCS high tunnel and irrigation grants 6
Biodynamic treatments 6
NRCS Irrigation system 6
Recycled Black Plastic under tomatoes 6
Use of inexpensive tunnels 6
Locally Grown market 6
• Does this innovation address the most problems?
• Does this innovation have wide applicability?
• Does this innovation strongly shape farm management?
• Does this innovation shape the local food system as a whole?
Specific Innovations and the number of innovation types they address
YES
YES, though not widely adopted
YES, it is a system level innovation
YES
Biochar case studyBiochar case studyExample of a Non Key InnovationExample of a Non Key Innovation
• One of most persistent forms of C in the world
• Conversion of cob furnace to biochar chamber
• Applied for SARE producer grant• Example of innovation development
Analysis•In Conceptual Stage•Key Innovations:•Not widely applicable – Not heating through winter (labor requirements)•Not likely to shape farm mgmt.- Compost not a huge expense
Biochar throughBiochar throughthe Attributes of Innovationsthe Attributes of Innovations
Relative Advantage Immediacy of benefits is LOW / RISKY
CompatibilityLOW : few people heating greenhouses &
greenhouses are larger
ComplexityExtremely complex • Haven’t heard of it / Uncertain how it works• Science unclear on effects of different biochar
Trialability Difficult. Not available. Must build a furnace, etc.
Observability Non-Existent
AdaptabilityAdaptabilityUnknownUnknown
Sustainability?Sustainability? Significant PotentialSignificant Potential
Biochar throughBiochar throughthe Attributes of Innovationsthe Attributes of Innovations
Relative Advantage Immediacy of benefits is LOW / RISKY
CompatibilityLOW : few people heating greenhouses &
greenhouses are larger
ComplexityExtremely complex • Haven’t heard of it / Uncertain how it works• Science unclear on effects of different biochar
Trialability Difficult. Not available. Must build a furnace, etc.
Observability Non-Existent
AdaptabilityAdaptabilityUnknownUnknown
Sustainability?Sustainability? Significant PotentialSignificant Potential
Production Innovation Types• Time Saving• Cost Saving• Energy Saving• Recycled / Reuse• Body / Labor Saving • Better Performance• Yield Enhancement• SOM Management • Nutrient Cycling• Irrigation / Watering •Season Extension •Insect / Pest / Disease Control•Weed Control•Harvest / Product Quality •Manufactured Equipment•Livestock / Animal Management
Internet Based Farmers MarketInternet Based Farmers Marketa rural food distribution networka rural food distribution network
April 2010Launched
Northeast Georgia Locally Grown Market
Advantages
Less time / Labor relative to traditional farmers markets
Less risk of waste (products are presold)
Provides a year round market
Reach customers across broad region
Midweek market enhances freshness
Drop off locations create opportunities for networking/ knowledge exchange
Market generates its own funds
Internet Based Farmers MarketInternet Based Farmers Marketa rural food distribution networka rural food distribution network
But itBut it’s central value is as a ’s central value is as a CENTRALIZED MARKETPLACE CENTRALIZED MARKETPLACE across a across a wide rural region. And as a wide rural region. And as a DISTRIBUTION NETWORKDISTRIBUTION NETWORK..
Distribution pattern and driving routes of farms delivering to the Tiger and Distribution pattern and driving routes of farms delivering to the Tiger and Clarkesville delivery locationsClarkesville delivery locations
Tiger pick upTiger pick up
Clarkesville pick upClarkesville pick up
Shuttle RunShuttle Run
Internet Based Farmers MarketInternet Based Farmers Marketa rural food distribution networka rural food distribution network
Distribution pattern and driving routes of farms delivering to the Tiger and Clarkesville delivery locations.
DELIVERY MILES
Miles Saved w/ Shuttle per year 18,523
SAVINGS
Gas and Labor ($10/hr) SAVINGS $6,931.36
Less cost for SHUTTLE RUN $1,000.00
TOTAL SAVINGS $5,931.36
Delivery miles reduced and savings achieved through the Delivery miles reduced and savings achieved through the distribution efficiency of a shuttle rundistribution efficiency of a shuttle run
Internet Based Farmers MarketInternet Based Farmers Marketa rural food distribution networka rural food distribution network
Once ADOPTED Once ADOPTED ADAPTATIONS and IMPROVEMENTS will be made to insure ADAPTATIONS and IMPROVEMENTS will be made to insure improved performanceimproved performance
Most significant improvements•Distribution Collaboratives•Market standards
The Role of Farmers Network in InnovationThe Role of Farmers Network in Innovation
Serve two important roles Serve two important roles
•Provide a Provide a forum to exchange ideasforum to exchange ideas and techniques and techniques ignored or ignored or marginalized by agricultural sciencemarginalized by agricultural science
– contribute to innovation exchange, adoption, adaptation or development.contribute to innovation exchange, adoption, adaptation or development.
• Networks also engage in Networks also engage in COLLABORATIONSCOLLABORATIONS that can achieve that can achieve social or economic goals farmers cannot achieve in isolation. social or economic goals farmers cannot achieve in isolation.
Knowledge Networks Knowledge Networks as opposed to Market Networksas opposed to Market Networks
The Role of Farmers Network in InnovationThe Role of Farmers Network in Innovation• September 2011 – CNG awards $2,000 to September 2011 – CNG awards $2,000 to
help spur a help spur a “farmer centered” NETWORK“farmer centered” NETWORK
• First meeting in January 2012First meeting in January 2012• Formally becomes Georgia Mountains Formally becomes Georgia Mountains
Farmers NetworkFarmers Network
Farmer Get-Togethers•6 since January 2012•Farm tour, Potluck, Meeting•Hosts openness builds trust in sharing information
•Knowledge may come from anyone not just the host
The Role of Farmers Network in InnovationThe Role of Farmers Network in Innovation
Innovation Passive solar greenhouse with black painted rainbarrels for thermal retentionSoaking Seeds
Spraying plants with worm casting tea
Mixing lettuce seeds
Cutting in a swale to divert waterHoop Houses and Drip Tape
NRCS grants - high tunnels and irrigationUse of an Earthway Seeder
CNG Tour Inspection
Specific occurrences of innovation adoption from network interactions Diffusion Analysis
•Farm Tours are excellent venue for info on relative advantage, compatibility and complexity.•Most tangibly achieves Observability•Value isn’t just to adoption, also stimulates thinking that can lead to recombinations of practices and new innovations.
• Adoption less related “opinion leadership” of host farmer and more to contextual relevance.
• Idea mobility across contexts is a source of new innovation.
Networks build “collective” innovation capacity
The Role of Farmers Network in InnovationThe Role of Farmers Network in Innovation
Network Innovation Description
Holding a regional FARM TOUR for the public
Expanding Collaborative Markets to an Adjacent RegionUtilizing Blog as Communication Tool
Obtaining Joint Product Insurance
Coordinating Bulk Orders
Sharing Equipment
CNG – Networker phone conferences CNG – Webinars
Evidence of network innovations developed as a product of network interactions
ConclusionsConclusions
• Adoption is not the only process important to agricultural innovations
• Adaptation and Development are vital processes poorly studied within sustainable agriculture
Relative AdvantageBenefits are numerous and immediate.
Compatibility Strong
Complexity
Relatively complex • Requires specialized equipment• Microbes are difficult / impossible to
measure
Trialability Strong. Most farms that had a trial adopted.
Observability Somewhat of a challenge
Relative Advantage Benefits are numerous and immediate.
Compatibility Strong
Complexity
Relatively complex • Requires specialized equipment• Microbes are difficult / impossible to
measure
Trialability Strong. Most farms that had a trial adopted.
Observability Somewhat of a challenge
AdaptabilityAdaptabilityExtent to which an innovation can be modified or Extent to which an innovation can be modified or
improved in order to better address the improved in order to better address the specific contexts, problems and specific contexts, problems and challenges in a settingchallenges in a setting
Conclusions pt.2Conclusions pt.2• Innovations arise from adaptation and development
to new contexts and new problems. • Focus should not be on farmer adoption, but how to
increase their capacity for adaptation and development.
What does this study say about that?
Networks are a useful tool • Increased interaction stimulates problem solving• Networks serve different purposes
• LG and GMFN are the same people but meet for two different purposes (market collaboration, and knowledge exchange)
Conclusions pt.3Conclusions pt.3• Innovations Inventory provides a valuable
diagnostic tool for identifying challenges receiving farmer’s creative energies. (30% were non-production oriented)
• Innovation Typology allows innovations to be ranked by the challenges they address.
• Key Innovations Concept identifies innovations with the greatest potential to enact change on individual farms and throughout the food system.
Conclusions pt.4Conclusions pt.4CASE STUDIES
•Production Innovations• Greenhouses• Compost Tea• Cob Furnace / Basement Growing• Biochar
•Marketing Innovations• Locally Grown
•Networking Innovations• Georgia Mountain Farmers Network
Innovations from outside the local food system including research based innovations will continue to be important, but do not play the only role.
Conclusions pt.3Conclusions pt.3• New definition for Innovations
“the practical application of new ideas within the unique social, ecological and capital contexts in which they will be utilized”
• Research science will always be challenged to adapt practices to these context specific conditions.
• Farmers are capable of developing their own solutions to problems and are often best positioned to ADAPT to context specific conditions.
• Future research will switch focus from adoption processes to adaptation and development processes and how to increase farmers own capacities for innovation.