Farmers as Social Learners: Knowledge Generation, Knowledge Exchange and Communities of Practice in 'Sustainable Agriculture' Systems

  
Lead Researcher: Dr Selyf Morgan

This ESRC research fellowship aimed to develop themes discussed in Dr Morgan's PhD thesis on processes of knowledge generation and learning undergone by conventional farmers as they convert to organic agriculture. The work is largely a desk based study but affords some opportunity for discussion with, and feedback from, contributors to the original research.
Dr Morgan's thesis examined social learning processes that occur among farmers, and explored the relevance of the communities of practice framework and the potential benefits that such an approach might have in the agricultural sector, particularly with respect to extension activities by government agencies.  The thesis also explored the framing of farmers, both by themselves and by other actors, and how this might influence farming decisions and behaviours.  Whilst these themes were applied to organic farmers, the scope of interest and application of these approaches extend to other categories of farmers, including conventional family farmers, farmers engaged in value-added and diversified businesses, and industrial scale farming.  Dr Morgan intends, therefore, to explore theoretical links between the process of conversion to organic farming, general skill development, entrepreneurial behaviours and the adaptability of farmers.
 
For more details contact Selyf Morgan (MorganSL@cardiff.ac.uk)