Producers of food and creators of social value: Women and alternative agriculture

The literature on alternative agriculture has highlighted producer values of supplying locally, producing high quality products, farming sustainably and community engagement. This exploratory paper examines the motivations of four female alternative agricultural producers in the Australian context. Alternative agriculture in the US context has been extensively researched, but little is known about the practices in Australia. This exploratory study reveals the importance of community and place to these women, and adds to our understanding of gender and alternative agriculture in the Australian context. Rather than their presence being simply the result of easier access for women than the traditional agricultural environment, we find these women exercising agency as they pursue alternative agriculture. The values of social and environmental sustainability are core to these producers’ farming identities and while they are prioritised over profit motives, as consumers become more conscious of food origin and food miles, adherence to these values does enable financial business success.