The resilience of family farms: Towards a relational approach

Darnhofer, I.; Lamine, Claire; Strauss, Agnes; Navarrete, Mireille

doi:10.1016/j.jrurstud.2016.01.013

Cited by 253 publications

(255 citation statements)

References 76 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

228

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Previous studies have acknowledged that the farm workforce is an important aspect of farm system adaptation and for the resilience of family farms (Dedieu 2009;Darnhofer et al 2010;Darnhofer et al 2016). We have shown that the farm workforce enables adaptation in natural, physical and financial capitals and is also affected by the re-organisation of these capitals.…”

Section: Social Capitalmentioning

confidence: 67%

A new framework to analyse workforce contribution to Australian cotton farm adaptability

Nettle

Kuehne

Lee

et al. 2018

Agron. Sustain. Dev.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Farmers face many challenges, including climate variability, that require continual adaptation. However, studies of farm adaptation have paid limited attention to the farm workforce, despite changes in farm workforce organisation (i.e. the number, type and forms of employment on farm) being a significant feature of agricultural change globally. To effectively support farmers' adaptation, it is important to understand farmers' workforce strategies (i.e. how farm workforce organisation supports the needs and priorities of the farm), how workforce choices are made and the implications for adaptation. This paper progresses a framework for analysing farm adaptability, including the farm workforce. Bringing together theories of livelihoods analysis and strategic human resource management, the farm workforce strategies of 16 case study farms in the Australian cotton production sector are analysed. Cotton production is exposed to major resource constraints, such as irrigation water. We interviewed farmers and collected data on farm business performance, workforce organisation choices, human resource management practices and employees' experiences of work. We integrated data to characterise farm workforce decision-making and the relationship between workforce strategies and farm adaptability for each farm. A cross-case analysis explored differences between farms. A diversity of workforce strategies was found, involving combinations of workforce options, defined as 'core', 'contract' and 'casual' workers at different levels of skills and experience. Farm workforce strategies were found to influence and be influenced by sources of financial capital, irrigation water availability/holdings, farm remoteness, new farm infrastructure and human resource management practices. The farm workforce was a response option to provide production flexibility, yet high adaptability was associated with some negative consequences for managers and employees. We show for the first time the influence of farm workforce organisation dynamics in adaptation and negative consequences of high farm adaptability. 'Factoring-in' the farm workforce in sustainable development studies should therefore be a priority.

show abstract

Section: Social Capitalmentioning

confidence: 67%

A new framework to analyse workforce contribution to Australian cotton farm adaptability

Nettle

Kuehne

Lee

et al. 2018

Agron. Sustain. Dev.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In this sense, Bardsley (2003) says that agricultural systems and genetic materials which maintain high levels of tolerance to changes in social and environmental conditions are particularly valuable for the biodiversity conservation. In addition, despite of the ecological and economic adversities, the community is still doing the cultivation of these plants, which leads us to Darnhofer et al (2016), who underline that the resiliency in family farming is influenced by the way in which the farmer uses the resources at their disposal, what options and potential he perceives, based on their values, their experiences and networks in which they are involved.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Each person has a science of planting: plants cultivated by quilombola communities of Bocaina, Mato Grosso State, Brazil

Santos

Barros

2017

Hoehnea

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The objective of this study was to record the most important vegetal resources in the life of the quilombolas of Bocaina, emphasizing the practices of agrobiodiversity management. We used semi-strutured and informal interviews, free list, and participant observation. For records, we used a field diary, photos, and recordings. For analysis, we performed calculations of absolute and relative frequencies, linear regression analysis to verify relations between age and species richness, Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA), and diversity profile. We recorded a total of 180 species, of which, the most cited plants were food crops cultivated in backyards and clearings. Ninety-seven medicinal species used for various diseases were recorded. The most common form of use is leaf tea. We verified that the plants management is of agroecological character favoring biodiversity maintenance. We concluded that the Community, by means of its traditional knowledge, performs agroecological management of the plants, promoting food security for its family and conservation of genetic resources.

show abstract

“…As for ecological dynamics, it takes into account the material structures of farms (for example, their size, type, diversity of activities, production practices, resource endowment), and how they affect ecosystems. The social dynamics approach, in turn, considers markets, policies, labour availability, and how they affect production practices (Darnhofer et al 2016).…”

Section: Theoretical Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…like Darnhofer et al (2016), this paper adopts a relational approach to resilience, which bridges and integrates the conceptual distinction between structure and agency on the one hand, and the social and the ecological on the other. In a relational perspective, farmers are not separated from the spatial and temporal contexts in which they are embedded; as a result, resilience is placed within the never stable tangible and intangible relations that constitute farming.…”

Section: Theoretical Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigating Dairy Farmers′ Resilience under a Transforming Policy and a Market Regime: The Case of North Karelia, Finland

Rizzo

2017

Quaestiones Geographicae

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The European dairy sector is currently facing unprecedented challenges under a transforming policy and a market regime. The expected changes will have relevant consequences for land use, the landscape, and the environment in rural areas dominated by dairy farming. Within this context, the aim of this paper is twofold. First, key characteristics of milk production in the region of North Karelia will be illustrated. Secondly, some light will be shed on dairy farmers' challenges and adaptations to the dairy sector's structural changes, and to what extent they contribute to the resilience of agricultural systems. In the light of an evident milk crisis, the findings suggest that farmers' key challenge is the profitability of running a dairy enterprise. One of the consequences of the poor economic situation is the pressure to make investments in the conditions of a constantly changing policy. Flexibility and the ability to understand future trends are fundamental in adapting to socio-economic changes and unpredictability. Adaptation to unpredictability would not be possible without a key characteristic of farming activity: agriculture is not only a source of an income, but also a way of life, a sense of belonging to the land that significantly affects farmers' decision-making.

show abstract

The resilience of family farms: Towards a relational approach

Cited by 253 publications

References 76 publications

A new framework to analyse workforce contribution to Australian cotton farm adaptability

A new framework to analyse workforce contribution to Australian cotton farm adaptability

Each person has a science of planting: plants cultivated by quilombola communities of Bocaina, Mato Grosso State, Brazil

Investigating Dairy Farmers′ Resilience under a Transforming Policy and a Market Regime: The Case of North Karelia, Finland

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About