Socio-cultural processes behind the differential distribution of organic farming in Denmark: a case study

Abstract

Conversion to organic farming, along with its associated driving forces and barriers, has been explored intensively over the past decade, while studies on the distribution and impacts of local socio-cultural processes in relation to conversion to and diffusion of organic farming have been scarce. The concentration of organic farms in Denmark differs according to county and, moreover, there appears to be large within-county variation in the density of organic farms. The present study explores local aspects of conversion to organic farming and the factors that may help explain variation in density and concentration of organic farms within smaller areas. The study is based on nine qualitative interviews with organic farmers from two neighboring areas, referred to as ''mainland'' and ''island,'' respectively. Three farms were situated in the high-density area (mainland) and the remaining six in the low-density area (island). Furthermore, five advisors with connections to the area provided information with regard to their local experience and perceptions. Three main, and to some extent interacting, issues are discussed. The first is the price of land related to local scarcity of land, in the context of structural development and the effects of agricultural policies. The second is distance -both physical and social. Cooperation and exchange of experience among organic farmers was frequent on the mainland side, while isolation and lack of interaction was more common for the island farmers. Third, the role of the agricultural advisory service and the existence of champion farmers are important: pioneer farmers on the mainland have been supported by committed agricultural advisors, while lack of organic champion farmers and low priority granted to organic farming among agricultural advisors were found on the island.

‘Milk is Milk’: Organic Dairy Adoption Decisions and Bounded Rationality

“…Moreover, even within this area, clustered patterns of adoption were evident on the landscape, that seem to grow out of farmer-to-farmer interactions in the Kickapoo Valley region of this study [40]. This pattern of clustering of organic dairy farmers was also evident in other geographic areas [41,42]. In this particular region, there is a growing proportion of dairy farms being owned by Amish farmers (about 10% of the state's dairy) [43].…”

Explaining Regional and Local Differences in Organic Farming in England and Wales: A Comparison of South West Wales and South East England

“…Taking these ideas a little further, RISGAARD et al, (2007) advocate that local (rather than regional) concentrations of organic farming could occur when the adoption of organic practices by one or a few farmers starts to spread to the local community. Also in Denmark, they suggest that isolation and a lack of interaction among organic farmers could prevent an effective operation of the neighbourhood effect.…”

A typology of agro-innovation adoptions: the case of organic farming in Korea

“…Thus, an exploratory case study offers a high degree of flexibility for research. Data were gathered from qualitative field interviews (Risgaard et al 2007; White and Stirling 2013), national statistics, and secondary documents. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with interviewees ranging from researchers to farmers to obtain extensive information on the invention and adoption process of organic farming innovations.…”