Journal of Rural Studies最新文献

The paper examines the relational processes characterizing the life of Slow Food communities (or presidia) of dairy producers in the Southern Italian region of Abruzzo. The study uses the notion of assemblage to theoretically approach and empirically analyse these processes. The paper investigates the links between Slow Food and the different actors involved in the development of the presidia, thus providing an interpretation of the communities as the result of complex participatory processes. It also explores the relations in place between presidia and then the links between various products, localities, and food traditions. Through this analysis, the paper demonstrates how the territories considered are linked by the presence of interdependent food productions and by the existence of strong connections between different groups of activists and producers. The study contributes to the understanding of the dynamic and composite nature of Slow Food in terms of its relationships with other similar assemblages and with the territories in which the movement operates.

Despite increasing research on agritourism, little is known about how farmers' political values may influence their agritourism operation. Given the growing rural-urban divide in the U.S. and increasing political tensions, more research is warranted that explores the perceptions of rural agritourism farmers when hosting tourists, many of which travel from non-rural areas. Subsequently, we used social judgement theory to examine how farmers' political values influence their openness to hosting tourists. We interviewed farmers in Vermont (USA) that have adopted agritourism and those who have not about their political ideologies and social judgements, as well as openness to hosting tourists. Results show farmers’ political values are related to their pro- or anti-agritourism behaviors, but substantially greater nuance exists among rural operators than stereotypes suggest. Findings can be used to increase meaningful connections between farmers and tourists.

Precision livestock farming (PLF) is increasingly being suggested as a promising tool for contributing to the sustainable transition of livestock farming as a market system innovation for farm-animal value chains. The innovations of PLF systems are over and above applications aimed at achieving on-farm goals (e.g. improving efficiency and monitoring farm animals), which are well recognised in the existing literature. This paper specifies the new dimensions of PLF systems, including data-sharing with retailers in the chain, with certifiers/control organisations, with other farmers and with market innovators, as well as data governance. Because farmers approach PLF applications that extend beyond on-farm use with reluctance, it is crucial to take farmer preferences into account when designing multi-actor PLF-system innovations. Proceeding from a mixed-method design, this study begins with a literature review and expert interviews, followed by an examination of farmer preferences regarding the architectural-design attributes of a PLF-system innovation. The latter takes the form of a conjoint study based on data obtained from 367 pig and dairy farmers in Finland, the Netherlands and Spain. Results indicate that farmers attach the greatest importance to the governing structure that manages their data, followed by the opportunity to use an on-farm early-warning system to monitor farm animals, and the possibility of sharing the collected data with value-chain actors mainly for purposes of optimising business innovation and certification. A cluster analysis further highlights the importance of finding customised solutions, considering the heterogenous preferences of farmers for PLF-system innovations beyond European borders. These preferences should be considered in the design of multi-actor PLF-system innovations.

In many countries the informal food economy (IFE) plays an essential role in ensuring food access and security. In addition, IFEs can improve choice, have a positive impact upon diet as well as generate household income and employment. While studies have primarily focused upon the role of IFEs in developing economies, their importance within more developed rural markets warrants further attention. This paper draws upon key learnings from the existing literature and examines how IFEs operate within a developed, rural economy. Framed within a social economy framework, it examines the role and function of IFEs across the Western Isles of Scotland. Despite being part of an advanced market economy, food access and security in this region has previously been identified as problematic for particular consumer groups and communities. The research identifies that due to the continued expansion of the formal retail sector and the growth of on-line delivery, food access has become less of an issue for many island residents. This is not to suggest that IFEs are inconsequential. Apart from their role in strengthening social and community linkages, for certain segments of the island population they continue to play a key role in providing food access. The research also identified an increasing reliance upon a small number of national retail chains. This suggests, that in future, food security in remote and rural communities could become increasingly vulnerable to market externalities.

There is limited data to baseline and track changes in farmer wellbeing. The aims of this study are to 1) review existing wellbeing assessment approaches, 2) identify key features of a farmer-focused wellbeing assessment, and 3) propose a farmer-focussed wellbeing assessment tool. We conducted a literature review of wellbeing assessment approaches within peer-reviewed literature and interviews with stakeholders to identify a wellbeing assessment approach for the agricultural sector. Key factors to incorporate into a farmer-focused assessment approach are: i) cultural health, which is especially important when measuring wellbeing amongst indigenous and recent immigrant farmers and workers; ii) farming-specific questions, using a combination of pre-existing and newly developed questions; and iii) ease of use, using a combination of short pulse and longer surveys depending on the survey context and aims. This paper contributes to the debate of how to measure wellbeing, which is useful for programme designers and developers. Furthermore, it provides a coherent review on wellbeing assessment approaches, which can be used to steer future research in this area. Despite the widespread focus on wellbeing, this is the first literature review for wellbeing approaches in the agricultural sector.

The Colorado River Basin is facing a record-breaking megadrought that is depleting water resources and threatening farmers' livelihoods. This article investigates Arizona's water crisis to convey how farmers' worries, perceptions, and experiences about water align and depart from policymakers'. We conducted an ethnography among farmers and policymakers, involving participant observation and interviews, and used iterative qualitative coding to interpret themes. Farmers expressed deeply emotional experiences with water, remarking on the idea that water is central to life in Arizona. In response to constituent concerns, policymakers were willing to go to great lengths to improve the water crisis, but their viewpoints often echoed an “us versus them” and “all is well” mentality that could hinder progress. While farmers tended to prioritize preserving agriculture, policymakers tended to emphasize the importance of investing in development. Ultimately, this study reveals that there remain disconnects between farmers' and policymakers' viewpoints, experiences, and proposed policies.

Using novel quantitative and qualitative data on industrial, semi-industrial, and artisanal mining, this paper analyzes the impact of different mining types on local structural change, measured by shifts in employment from agriculture to more productive sectors. The econometric strategy exploits the temporal variation in mine openings and closings and the spatial variation in mine locations in a difference-in-difference analysis. Primary data collected through qualitative interviews at mining sites explains the mechanisms behind the econometric results. The findings provide the first causal evidence on employment effects of a boom-and-bust cycle of artisanal mining. A boom seems to shift employment from agriculture to more productive sectors and a bust decreases the likelihood for individuals to work. The opening of industrial gold mines seems to decrease employment in more productive sectors and increase employment in agriculture, while industrial iron ore mines have no effect. This paper shows that benefits of mining for the local population depend on the type of mining, the commodities mined, and the local boom-bust cycle of mining.

Burning rice stubble is a common practice for millions of farmers across the Indo-Gangetic Plains. Though burning represents a low input, cost-effective strategy of crop residue management (CRM), it produces harmful air pollution, and it releases greenhouse gasses. Large-scale transition to no-burn CRM in northwest India will require social and technological change. We analyze data from 60 focus group discussions and 24 interviews with farmers and key actors related to agriculture in Punjab, and we discuss our findings using a sociotechnical systems framework. Farmers and key informants alike illustrate the complexity of CRM, highlight the diversity of machinery used in rice-wheat cropping, and identify a multi-level and unequal policy landscape that constricts the time available to implement no-burn CRM between harvesting rice and sowing wheat crops. Farmer responses reveal mistrust and uncertainty regarding current incentives for no-burn CRM, including subsidies for purchasing no-burn CRM machinery and fines for burning. Nonetheless, farmers support new long-term price subsidies for alternate rice varieties, crops, and fuel. In addition to cost-reduction measures, farmers and key informants voice support for local demonstrations of no-burn CRM, promoting agricultural services through social organizations, and being free to choose how to best reduce or eliminate burning on their fields. In contrast to studies that consider individual farmers’ willingness to accept payment for reduced burning, our findings emphasize the importance of considering the political and technological aspects of CRM in Punjab. Respondents acknowledge the importance of improving individual incentives while working through local organizations to provide wider access to no-burn CRM technology and address information asymmetries.