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Wild Experiments? Restricting Narratives in Research on Alternative Food and Agriculture Networks

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  • Maurer, Moritz

Abstract

This article reviews the body of research on alternative food and agriculture networks (AFNs). Consistent with previous reviews on the subject, it concludes that the assumed advantages of AFNs require more rigorous verification. However, this review goes further by arguing that the proclaimed experimental appeal of AFNs is not taken seriously enough. It identifies three narratives that overly constrain what AFN researchers consider to be valuable AFN experiments: Alienation-Reembedding, Corporatization-Democratization, and Technologization-Detechnologization. Weaknesses in these narratives highlight missed opportunities to enhance variance in AFN experiments, which could generate much-needed insights for advancing sustainable food production.

Suggested Citation

  • Maurer, Moritz, 2025. "Wild Experiments? Restricting Narratives in Research on Alternative Food and Agriculture Networks," OSF Preprints u2tyv, Center for Open Science.
    • Handle: RePEc:osf:osfxxx:u2tyv
    DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/u2tyv
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