Historically, farmers’ experiments have been the means through which locally adapted farming systems worldwide developed. Farmers’ experimentation is the process by which local people informally conduct trials or tests with their own methods. Farmers’ experiments can be defined as the activity of trying or introducing something totally or partially new at the farm, including evaluation of the success or failure of this introduction. Farmers need the ability to experiment in order to find their own creative solutions for their specific conditions and emerging problems. This project investigates topics, motives, methods and outcomes of farmers’ experiments, and the factors influencing organic farmers when they experiment. Furthermore it is examined, if and how experimentation can be a strategy to cope with ongoing change.
Organic Farmers' Experiments
The "farmers' experiments" FWF team
from left to right: Christian R. Vogl, Elena Sanz Soro, Katrin Hasenhündl, Susanne Kummer, Friedrich Leitgeb, Racheli Ninio
Publications
See full list of publications HERE
Annoucements and calls
Students interested in organic farmers' experiments are highly welcome to join our team for their masters thesis, PhD thesis or seminar paper!
Poster
Poster of the project
Students' exhibition about farmers' experiments
In 2007 students of the lecture "Projekt Ökologische Landwirtschaft" produced an exhibition and a brochure about organic farmers' experiments and innovations.
- Brochure (in English): Experience, Creative, Organics - Farmers Innovations in Organic Farming
- Folleto (in Spanish): Ecológica, Creativa, Original - Innovaciones campesinas en la agricultura ecológica
- Ausstellungsbroschüre (in German, 11 MB): Biologisch, Innovativ, Originell
- Austellung der Projektgruppe zum Thema: "Biologisch, Innovativ, Originell - Bäuerliche Innovationen im Biolandbau" (Poster in German; 28 MB)