AGRI302086 Local knowledge and ethnobiology in organic farming

Type
Seminar
Semester hours
4
Lecturer (assistant)
Vogl, Christian R. , Schunko, Christoph
Organisation
Organic Farming
Offered in
Wintersemester 2025/26
Languages of instruction
Englisch
Content

Organic farming was mainly developed by experiments and innovations of farmers and still today major developments in organic farming are advanced by organic farmers themselves. Such advances frequently stem from locally based knowledge, practice, beliefs, which is altogether called local knowledge.
This lecture introduces the concept of local knowledge, its characteristics, potential, value and its relevance for the sustainable management of natural resources, especially in organic farming. Practical examples will be presented from several ethnobiological subdisciplines such as ethnobotany, ethnomedicine, ethnopedology and ethnoclimatology.
Previous knowledge expected

English language skills on Master level.
This lecture is a preparation for the course Local knowledge and ethnobiology in organic farming – methods seminar (933.334), which focuses on the tools and methods that are needed to study local knowledge of organic farmers.
Objective (expected results of study and acquired competences)

By completing this course, students will be able
• to explain the concept of local knowledge and the research areas that work with local knowledge;
• to explain the value and practical potential of local knowledge for organic farming;
• to apply an analytical framework for investigating local knowledge;
You can find more details like the schedule or information about exams on the course-page in BOKUonline.