I am curious to learn about how has the course ended and what your conclusions are on this very actual and sensitive subject. Engaging farmers in agroecology/permaculture/regenerative agriculture etc. is certainly key at this point in time. I guess showing financial gains that can be obtained is a good leverage point in general...if only we can be convincing enough, with good calculations. However government policies just don't help at this point, as we have seen, however good intentions farmer may have. Food for thought!
I applaude your engaging with this topic with real farmers. At least, the way you present is a good approach for learning (observe and interact) about the situation from those who are into it. Hopefully we'll be able to go from patterns to details about how to offer real / viable solutions and allow other youngsters to decide for this type career.
We, in the permaculture community, need to do this more and more and be able to present viable (money making? along with earh & people caring ) alternatives.
Presenting case studies of existing projects can be very useful at this point I reckon.
I think focusing mainly on the "saving money is making money" angle would work best, and I would still incorporate all of your initial topics but from that angle. I would point to successful restoration agriculturalists making it work a la Mark Shepard, Greg Judy, and Alan Savory as examples of how you can profit by spending less rather than making more.
I remember Darren Doherty advising to start by asking farmers "where they bleed" i.e. what/where are their costs - is it energy, feed, vets, whatever, and go from there. All part of observation of vision, needs, resources, constraints - usual stuff. Then I agree, case studies appropriate to their contexts. Small & slow - showcasing something like La Ferme du Bec Hellouin may be too much to start with!
I am also curious how this course ended. Maybe laying the groundwork in this case is best and find out what they learned or could use and build from there?
I am curious to learn about how has the course ended and what your conclusions are on this very actual and sensitive subject. Engaging farmers in agroecology/permaculture/regenerative agriculture etc. is certainly key at this point in time. I guess showing financial gains that can be obtained is a good leverage point in general...if only we can be convincing enough, with good calculations. However government policies just don't help at this point, as we have seen, however good intentions farmer may have. Food for thought!
I applaude your engaging with this topic with real farmers. At least, the way you present is a good approach for learning (observe and interact) about the situation from those who are into it. Hopefully we'll be able to go from patterns to details about how to offer real / viable solutions and allow other youngsters to decide for this type career.
We, in the permaculture community, need to do this more and more and be able to present viable (money making? along with earh & people caring ) alternatives.
Presenting case studies of existing projects can be very useful at this point I reckon.
The follow up is coming out today!
I think focusing mainly on the "saving money is making money" angle would work best, and I would still incorporate all of your initial topics but from that angle. I would point to successful restoration agriculturalists making it work a la Mark Shepard, Greg Judy, and Alan Savory as examples of how you can profit by spending less rather than making more.
Indeed, fortunately there are similar people in France so I've chosen some films to show what they are up to
I remember Darren Doherty advising to start by asking farmers "where they bleed" i.e. what/where are their costs - is it energy, feed, vets, whatever, and go from there. All part of observation of vision, needs, resources, constraints - usual stuff. Then I agree, case studies appropriate to their contexts. Small & slow - showcasing something like La Ferme du Bec Hellouin may be too much to start with!
Bec Hellouin is bit mired in controversy. On top of which most of the students are on dairy or beef farms !
I am also curious how this course ended. Maybe laying the groundwork in this case is best and find out what they learned or could use and build from there?
The follow up article comes out today!