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Unfolding Farm Practices: Working Toward Sustainable Food Production in the Netherlands and Spain

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  • Swagemakers, Paul
  • Domínguez García, M. Dolores
  • Fernández, Xavier Simón
  • Wiskerke, Johannes S. C.

Abstract

The modernization of agriculture has caused and continues to cause an increasing disconnection between farming, nature, and society, which has also created a series of social, economic, and ecological crises in the food chain. Case study research of farmers responding to this situation can show us what changes are required to encourage a reconnection between farming, nature, and society. This paper provides ethnographic case study research of two farms: one situated in a productive polder in the Netherlands, and the other in a disadvantaged mountainous area in Galicia, Spain. They both employ "novelty production," farmer-driven adaptations to the farm, seen as a socio-ecological system. These novelties change the input-output relations on farms and result in adaptations in different farming domains (technical, economic, and socio-organizational), which we see as "unfolding" farming practices. This paper examines how these farmers have sustained and improved the socio-ecological performance of their farms and how these changes have led to a shift in the farm as a socio-ecological system and changed the configuration and boundaries of the farms. In conclusion we look at prospects for this approach being supported at a wider level.

Suggested Citation

  • Swagemakers, Paul & Domínguez García, M. Dolores & Fernández, Xavier Simón & Wiskerke, Johannes S. C., 2012. "Unfolding Farm Practices: Working Toward Sustainable Food Production in the Netherlands and Spain," Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, Center for Transformative Action, Cornell University, vol. 2(2).
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:joafsc:359450
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