defense (6.14.13) backup2

Sustainable farmer innovations Sustainable farmer innovations in emerging local food systems:in emerging local food systems:

Looking beyond adoption to adaptation and Looking beyond adoption to adaptation and development of innovationsdevelopment of innovations

PhD Defense

Justin Ellis

June 14, 2013

Innovation in AgricultureInnovation in Agriculture

Conventional Conventional ViewView

Alternative ViewAlternative View

WhatWhat Often Technology Often Technology orientedoriented

Includes any tools that Includes any tools that address the problemaddress the problem

WhyWhy Focused on commodity Focused on commodity yields and profitabilityyields and profitability

Address broader problems of Address broader problems of social, environmental and social, environmental and economic challengeseconomic challenges

HowHow Diffusion occurs through Diffusion occurs through technology transfer by technology transfer by information authoritiesinformation authorities

Innovation adaptation and Innovation adaptation and development are as development are as important as Diffusionimportant as Diffusion

A unique or novel solution to problems

that is new to the user regardless if it is new to the world

Technology Transfer Model

ResearchResearch

ExtensionExtension

FarmersFarmers

Needs

Innovation Development

Adoption

Sustainable Agriculture Development

Farmer PractionersFarmer Practioners

1.1.Research was not that interested in Research was not that interested in sustainable agriculture until fairly sustainable agriculture until fairly recently. recently.

. .

Innovation Development

2.2.SA was a response to the perceived SA was a response to the perceived financial, ecological and social costs to financial, ecological and social costs to farmers, society and the world that farmers, society and the world that chemical, capital and technological chemical, capital and technological innovations developed by research innovations developed by research science have createdscience have created

The Local Food System of Northeast GeorgiaThe Local Food System of Northeast Georgia

NC

SC

Focus on•Sustainability•Small scale•Resource limited•Newer farms

Change question fromChange question fromWhy do farmers adopt?Why do farmers adopt?

to to Why do farmers innovate?Why do farmers innovate?What do farmers innovate?What do farmers innovate?How do farmers innovate?How do farmers innovate?

Production Marketing Networking

Innovation InventoryInnovation Inventory

Innovation TypologyInnovation Typology

Adaptation andAdaptation andDevelopment Development

ProcessesProcesses

• Beginning of agricultural productionist era

• Hybrid seed introduced to Iowa in 1928

• Benefits + improved vigor, disease and drought resistance, 20% higher yields.

• By 1945 vast majority of Iowan farmers had adopted

• Ryan and Gross (1943) studied the diffusion of hybrid seed corn amongst farmers to understand how innovations are spread.

Inspecting ears of hybrid seed corn. Iowa, 1939. IPTV.org

The Diffusion of InnovationsThe Diffusion of Innovations

Hybrid Seed CornHybrid Seed Corn

A historical perspectiveA historical perspectiveon the study of agricultural innovationson the study of agricultural innovations

Innovation Diffusion theoryInnovation Diffusion theory

PATTERNPATTERN MANIFESTATIONMANIFESTATION

Rate of AdoptionRate of Adoption Follows S curveFollows S curve

Starts slowStarts slow

Increases rapidly after Increases rapidly after 10%-15% adoption10%-15% adoption

Stages of Stages of AdoptionAdoption

Categories of Categories of AdoptersAdopters

Attributes of Attributes of InnovationsInnovations

CritiqueCritique • Emphasis is on Adoption • Single innovations• Assumes adoption is good for all






Adoption is an indvidual Adoption is an indvidual processprocess



Stages of AdoptionStages of Adoption


CritiqueCritique • Assumes innovations should be adopted by all (pro innovation bias) • Little discussion of adaptations or re-invention






Adoption is an individual Adoption is an individual processprocess


Adopters at different Adopters at different phases share phases share characteristicscharacteristics



CritiqueCritique • Blames non-adopters (individual blame bias). • Non-adoption not due to problems with the innovation or its effects.• Issues with Equality• Bias in favor of wealthy farms






Adoption is an individual Adoption is an individual processprocess


Adopters at different Adopters at different phases share phases share characteristicscharacteristics


Qualities of innovations Qualities of innovations affect adoption ratesaffect adoption rates


Attributes of InnovationsAttributes of Innovations

Relative AdvantageBenefits above and beyond those offered by

existing practices.

Compatibility Consistent with existing needs, previous ideas, and individual and cultural values.

Complexity Extent to which an innovation is considered difficult to understand and implement.

Trialability Extent to which an innovation can be experimented with on a limited basis.

Observability Extent to which an innovation can be seen by others.


CritiqueCritique • Only assesses innovations according to their adoptiveness• Doesn’t address adaptability (or sustainability)•

MethodsMethodsParticipant ObservationParticipant Observation

Or in this case “Or in this case “Agroecologist!Agroecologist!””

• 36 farms visited • 28 included in study• 240 hrs of observation• Semi-structured

interviews• Participatory Action

Research in years 2-4

WhiteWhite

HabershamHabersham

RabunRabun

4 years2009-2013


Blackberry stakes with washer adaptation for stationary wire

Mulched rows with clover cover crop in

the paths

Body SavingBetter Performance

Weed controlSOM / FertilityWheel hoe

Amish stool


Season Extension

Cost saving, time saving, body saving,

nutrient cycling

Food SafetyIrrigation

Chicken Wagon

Cob Furnace

Sand Filter


Time Saving

Season ExtensionCost Savings

Planting Marker

High Tunnels and Pipe Benders

Insect Control

Parasitic Wasps

Innovation AnalysisInnovation Analysis

categorized by “challenges designed to address”

ProductionInnovations

Network / Knowledge /

Marketing

1. Time Saving2. Cost Saving3. Energy Saving4. Recycled / Reuse5. Body / Labor Saving 6. Better Performance7. Yield Enhancement8. SOM (soil organic matter) Management and Soil Amendment9. Nutrient Cycling10. Irrigation / Watering 11. Season Extension 12. Insect / Pest / Disease Control13. Weed Control14. Harvest / Product Quality 15. Manufactured Equipment16. Livestock / Animal Management17. Labor Assistance18. Assessment Planning 19. Outside Income 20. Quality of Life / Lifestyle 21. Feedback 22. Network / Organizational 23. Farmer Training / Knowledge24. Crop / Food Types and Uses 25. Marketing 26. Income Enhancement 27. Food Processing 28. Food Policy29. Food Safety

Labor / Planning/ Lifestyle

Food Processing /

Safety

Innovation TypesInnovation Types

Innovation TypologyInnovation Typology

Indicates Indicates marketingmarketing and and networkingnetworking innovations innovations are as common as some are as common as some production production innovationsinnovations

Suggests where farmers Suggests where farmers in a food system are in a food system are investing in solutions to investing in solutions to problemsproblems

Does notDoes not tell us which tell us which innovations are most innovations are most importantimportant

Innovation Types ranked by frequency of occurrence

Type Category Occurrence Rank

Better performance Production 62 1

Cost Saving Production 58 2

Marketing Network / Knowledge / Marketing 55 3

Network / Organizational Network / Knowledge / Marketing 40 4

Body / Labor Saving Production 30 5

Crop / Food Types and Uses Network / Knowledge / Marketing 29 6

Time Saving Production 27 7

Yield Enhancement Production 26 8

SOM management / soil amendment Production 26 9

Season Extension Production 25 10

Insect / Disease Control Production 24 11

Manufactured equipment Production 23 12

Nutrient Cycling Production 22 13

Harvest / Product Quality Production 22 14

Recycled/Reuse Production 19 15

Income Enhancement Network / Knowledge / Marketing 18 16

Weed / Control Production 17 17

Assessment Planning Labor / Planning / Lifestyle 15 18

Farmer Training / Knowledge Network / Knowledge / Marketing 15 19

Food Processing Food Processing / Safety 12 20

Irrigation / Watering Production 10 21

Livestock/Animal Management Production 10 22

Outside Income/ Grants Labor / Planning / Lifestyle 10 23

Quality of Life / Lifestyle Labor / Planning / Lifestyle 9 24

Feedback Labor / Planning / Lifestyle 7 25

Labor assistance Labor / Planning / Lifestyle 6 26

Energy Saving Production 5 27

Food Safety Innovation Food Processing / Safety 5 28

Food Policy Food Processing / Safety 3 29

Homemade Greenhousesn=5

Greenhouse Case StudyGreenhouse Case Study

Pipe Bender

Example of aCOST SAVINGS

Innovation































NRCS FundedGreenhouses

n=6































• Primary Income vs. Secondary Income Farms• Some homemade structures built for matching costs of the NRCS

funded projects • Innovative use of capital (No one purchased a kit)• All projects reduced costs with labor. Benefits toward innovation?• Future questions: - different growing environments?

- influence of subsidies on innovation process

Total Square Feet and Material Costs of Greenhouses built by Farms between 2009-2013

`̀































Basement Growing

Cob FurnaceAlternative Heat Alternative Heat Season ExtensionSeason Extension

Case StudyCase Study

• Only occur on one farm• Why did Trillium Farms innovate?• Growing Year Round • Will People Adopt?• System Level Innovations

“Because I produce heat down here it made more sense to import light”

Identifying Key InnovationsIdentifying Key Innovations

Innovation PracticesInnovation

types addressed

Compost Tea 9

Aquaponics system 8

Compost Tea 8

NRCS Rainwater irrigation system 8

Compost Tea 8

Compost Slurry 8

CSA shares system / Cafeteria Style 7

Impact Grazing 7Using cardboard / hay for weed suppression 7Focusing on Locally Grown internet market 7

On-farm Farmers Market 7

Locally Grown market 7

Basement growing using grow lights 7

Well and watering lines Grant 6NRCS high tunnel and irrigation grants 6

Biodynamic treatments 6

NRCS Irrigation system 6

Recycled Black Plastic under tomatoes 6

Use of inexpensive tunnels 6


• Which innovations address the most problems?

• Which innovations have widest applicability?

• Which innovations most strongly shape farm management?

• Which innovations are shaping the local food system as a whole?

Specific Innovations and the number of innovation types they address

Compost Tea Case StudyCompost Tea Case StudySoil Food Web Priming Techniques

• Occurrence : 4 of 28 farms• Source : Non-traditional consultants

& Dr. Elaine Ingham• Impact : Addressed broadest # of production

needs (9)• Performance:

• Corn with Brix of 56 when 24 is excellent• Blueberries – no size down, flowering on one

year growth• Tomatoes and Peppers exposed to late freeze

of 31°F survived with less than 5% loss.• Other Innovation Processes – trials have been

important, example of adaptation, not a replacement for SOM amendments

Example of a Key InnovationExample of a Key Innovation

Compost Tea Case StudyCompost Tea Case StudySoil Food Web Priming Techniques

• Occurrence : 4 of 28 farms• Source : Non-traditional consultants

& Dr. Elaine Ingham• Impact : Addressed broadest # of production

needs (9)• Performance:

• Corn with Brix of 56 when 24 is excellent• Blueberries – no size down, flowering on one

year growth• Tomatoes and Peppers exposed to late freeze

of 31°F survived with less than 5% loss.• Other Innovation Processes – trials have been

important, example of adaptation, not a replacement for SOM amendments

Example of a Key InnovationExample of a Key Innovation

Production Innovation Types• Time Saving• Cost Saving• Energy Saving• Recycled / Reuse• Body / Labor Saving • Better Performance• Yield Enhancement• SOM Management • Nutrient Cycling• Irrigation / Watering •Season Extension •Insect / Pest / Disease Control•Weed Control•Harvest / Product Quality •Manufactured Equipment•Livestock / Animal Management

Compost Tea throughCompost Tea throughthe Attributes of Innovationsthe Attributes of Innovations

Relative Advantage Benefits are numerous and immediate.

Compatibility Strong

ComplexityRelatively complex • Requires specialized equipment• Microbes are difficult / impossible to measure

Trialability Strong. Most farms that had a trial adopted.

Observability Somewhat of a challenge







AdaptabilityAdaptability Extent to which an innovation can be modified or Extent to which an innovation can be modified or improved in order to better address the specific improved in order to better address the specific contexts, problems and challenges in a settingcontexts, problems and challenges in a setting







AdaptabilityAdaptabilityExtent to which an innovation can be modified or Extent to which an innovation can be modified or

improved in order to better address the specific improved in order to better address the specific contexts, problems and challenges in a settingcontexts, problems and challenges in a setting

Sustainability?Sustainability? Poorly accounted for innovation studies.Poorly accounted for innovation studies.

Identifying Key InnovationsIdentifying Key Innovations

Innovation PracticesInnovation

types addressed

Compost Tea 9

Aquaponics system 8

Compost Tea 8

NRCS Rainwater irrigation system 8

Compost Tea 8

Compost Slurry 8

CSA shares system / Cafeteria Style 7

Impact Grazing 7Using cardboard / hay for weed suppression 7Focusing on Locally Grown internet market 7

On-farm Farmers Market 7


Basement growing using grow lights 7

Well and watering lines Grant 6NRCS high tunnel and irrigation grants 6

Biodynamic treatments 6

NRCS Irrigation system 6

Recycled Black Plastic under tomatoes 6

Use of inexpensive tunnels 6


• Does this innovation address the most problems?

• Does this innovation have wide applicability?

• Does this innovation strongly shape farm management?

• Does this innovation shape the local food system as a whole?

Specific Innovations and the number of innovation types they address

YES

YES, though not widely adopted

YES, it is a system level innovation

YES

Biochar case studyBiochar case studyExample of a Non Key InnovationExample of a Non Key Innovation

• One of most persistent forms of C in the world

• Conversion of cob furnace to biochar chamber

• Applied for SARE producer grant• Example of innovation development

Analysis•In Conceptual Stage•Key Innovations:•Not widely applicable – Not heating through winter (labor requirements)•Not likely to shape farm mgmt.- Compost not a huge expense

Biochar throughBiochar throughthe Attributes of Innovationsthe Attributes of Innovations

Relative Advantage Immediacy of benefits is LOW / RISKY

CompatibilityLOW : few people heating greenhouses &

greenhouses are larger

ComplexityExtremely complex • Haven’t heard of it / Uncertain how it works• Science unclear on effects of different biochar

Trialability Difficult. Not available. Must build a furnace, etc.

Observability Non-Existent

AdaptabilityAdaptabilityUnknownUnknown

Sustainability?Sustainability? Significant PotentialSignificant Potential

Biochar throughBiochar throughthe Attributes of Innovationsthe Attributes of Innovations

Relative Advantage Immediacy of benefits is LOW / RISKY

CompatibilityLOW : few people heating greenhouses &

greenhouses are larger

ComplexityExtremely complex • Haven’t heard of it / Uncertain how it works• Science unclear on effects of different biochar

Trialability Difficult. Not available. Must build a furnace, etc.

Observability Non-Existent

AdaptabilityAdaptabilityUnknownUnknown

Sustainability?Sustainability? Significant PotentialSignificant Potential

Production Innovation Types• Time Saving• Cost Saving• Energy Saving• Recycled / Reuse• Body / Labor Saving • Better Performance• Yield Enhancement• SOM Management • Nutrient Cycling• Irrigation / Watering •Season Extension •Insect / Pest / Disease Control•Weed Control•Harvest / Product Quality •Manufactured Equipment•Livestock / Animal Management

Internet Based Farmers MarketInternet Based Farmers Marketa rural food distribution networka rural food distribution network

April 2010Launched

Northeast Georgia Locally Grown Market

Advantages

Less time / Labor relative to traditional farmers markets

Less risk of waste (products are presold)

Provides a year round market

Reach customers across broad region

Midweek market enhances freshness

Drop off locations create opportunities for networking/ knowledge exchange

Market generates its own funds


But itBut it’s central value is as a ’s central value is as a CENTRALIZED MARKETPLACE CENTRALIZED MARKETPLACE across a across a wide rural region. And as a wide rural region. And as a DISTRIBUTION NETWORKDISTRIBUTION NETWORK..

Distribution pattern and driving routes of farms delivering to the Tiger and Distribution pattern and driving routes of farms delivering to the Tiger and Clarkesville delivery locationsClarkesville delivery locations

Tiger pick upTiger pick up

Clarkesville pick upClarkesville pick up

Shuttle RunShuttle Run


Distribution pattern and driving routes of farms delivering to the Tiger and Clarkesville delivery locations.

DELIVERY MILES

Miles Saved w/ Shuttle per year 18,523

SAVINGS

Gas and Labor ($10/hr) SAVINGS $6,931.36

Less cost for SHUTTLE RUN $1,000.00

TOTAL SAVINGS $5,931.36

Delivery miles reduced and savings achieved through the Delivery miles reduced and savings achieved through the distribution efficiency of a shuttle rundistribution efficiency of a shuttle run


Once ADOPTED Once ADOPTED ADAPTATIONS and IMPROVEMENTS will be made to insure ADAPTATIONS and IMPROVEMENTS will be made to insure improved performanceimproved performance

Most significant improvements•Distribution Collaboratives•Market standards

The Role of Farmers Network in InnovationThe Role of Farmers Network in Innovation

Serve two important roles Serve two important roles

•Provide a Provide a forum to exchange ideasforum to exchange ideas and techniques and techniques ignored or ignored or marginalized by agricultural sciencemarginalized by agricultural science

– contribute to innovation exchange, adoption, adaptation or development.contribute to innovation exchange, adoption, adaptation or development.

• Networks also engage in Networks also engage in COLLABORATIONSCOLLABORATIONS that can achieve that can achieve social or economic goals farmers cannot achieve in isolation. social or economic goals farmers cannot achieve in isolation.

Knowledge Networks Knowledge Networks as opposed to Market Networksas opposed to Market Networks

The Role of Farmers Network in InnovationThe Role of Farmers Network in Innovation• September 2011 – CNG awards $2,000 to September 2011 – CNG awards $2,000 to

help spur a help spur a “farmer centered” NETWORK“farmer centered” NETWORK

• First meeting in January 2012First meeting in January 2012• Formally becomes Georgia Mountains Formally becomes Georgia Mountains

Farmers NetworkFarmers Network

Farmer Get-Togethers•6 since January 2012•Farm tour, Potluck, Meeting•Hosts openness builds trust in sharing information

•Knowledge may come from anyone not just the host


Innovation Passive solar greenhouse with black painted rainbarrels for thermal retentionSoaking Seeds

Spraying plants with worm casting tea

Mixing lettuce seeds

Cutting in a swale to divert waterHoop Houses and Drip Tape

NRCS grants - high tunnels and irrigationUse of an Earthway Seeder

CNG Tour Inspection

Specific occurrences of innovation adoption from network interactions Diffusion Analysis

•Farm Tours are excellent venue for info on relative advantage, compatibility and complexity.•Most tangibly achieves Observability•Value isn’t just to adoption, also stimulates thinking that can lead to recombinations of practices and new innovations.

• Adoption less related “opinion leadership” of host farmer and more to contextual relevance.

• Idea mobility across contexts is a source of new innovation.

Networks build “collective” innovation capacity


Network Innovation Description

Holding a regional FARM TOUR for the public

Expanding Collaborative Markets to an Adjacent RegionUtilizing Blog as Communication Tool

Obtaining Joint Product Insurance

Coordinating Bulk Orders

Sharing Equipment

CNG – Networker phone conferences CNG – Webinars

Evidence of network innovations developed as a product of network interactions

ConclusionsConclusions

• Adoption is not the only process important to agricultural innovations

• Adaptation and Development are vital processes poorly studied within sustainable agriculture

Relative AdvantageBenefits are numerous and immediate.


Complexity

Relatively complex • Requires specialized equipment• Microbes are difficult / impossible to

measure





Complexity

Relatively complex • Requires specialized equipment• Microbes are difficult / impossible to

measure



AdaptabilityAdaptabilityExtent to which an innovation can be modified or Extent to which an innovation can be modified or

improved in order to better address the improved in order to better address the specific contexts, problems and specific contexts, problems and challenges in a settingchallenges in a setting

Conclusions pt.2Conclusions pt.2• Innovations arise from adaptation and development

to new contexts and new problems. • Focus should not be on farmer adoption, but how to

increase their capacity for adaptation and development.

What does this study say about that?

Networks are a useful tool • Increased interaction stimulates problem solving• Networks serve different purposes

• LG and GMFN are the same people but meet for two different purposes (market collaboration, and knowledge exchange)

Conclusions pt.3Conclusions pt.3• Innovations Inventory provides a valuable

diagnostic tool for identifying challenges receiving farmer’s creative energies. (30% were non-production oriented)

• Innovation Typology allows innovations to be ranked by the challenges they address.

• Key Innovations Concept identifies innovations with the greatest potential to enact change on individual farms and throughout the food system.

Conclusions pt.4Conclusions pt.4CASE STUDIES

•Production Innovations• Greenhouses• Compost Tea• Cob Furnace / Basement Growing• Biochar

•Marketing Innovations• Locally Grown

•Networking Innovations• Georgia Mountain Farmers Network

Innovations from outside the local food system including research based innovations will continue to be important, but do not play the only role.

Conclusions pt.3Conclusions pt.3• New definition for Innovations

“the practical application of new ideas within the unique social, ecological and capital contexts in which they will be utilized”

• Research science will always be challenged to adapt practices to these context specific conditions.

• Farmers are capable of developing their own solutions to problems and are often best positioned to ADAPT to context specific conditions.

• Future research will switch focus from adoption processes to adaptation and development processes and how to increase farmers own capacities for innovation.

defense (6.14.13) backup2

Business

farmers tounderstand

vast majority of iowan

diffusion ofhybrid seed

emerging local food

adaptation andlooking

insustainable agriculture

world thatchemical

world thatfarmers