Agroecology: Scaling up Sustainable Farming in a Planet in Polycrisis

Agroecology seeks to emulate nature in agro-ecosystems. It works in concert with natural flows and cycles and embraces diversity. It has been shown to enhance food production in small scale farming systems with low inputs and in the midst of climatic variability.

But what does agroecology look like when scaled up to encompass diversified large crop fields and pastures? What does it look like when practiced in drier places? Does it imply or require larger social and economic shifts?

Listen in as we delve into how to think of agroecology on a larger scale.

Miguel A Altieri studied agronomy at the University of Chile, where he received a BS. He also obtained a Masters on agricultural sciences at the National University of Colombia. He graduated with a Ph.D. in entomology at the University of Florida. In 1981 he became Professor of Agroecology at the University of California, Berkeley in the Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management and after 37 years of service he now serves as Professor Emeritus.

At Berkeley he taught agroecology and urban agriculture, but he also serves as guest professor in numerous Universities in Latin America, Spain and Italy. He has conducted most of his research in California and Latin America working closely with farmers on implementing principles of agroecology to design productive, biodiverse and resilient farming systems.

In 2006 he was awarded an Honorary Ph.D. 1996 Universidad Nacional de Cajamarca, Peru. In 2015 he received a Doctor Honoris Causa at the Universite Catholique du Lovain, Belgium. In 2017, he became Honorary Professor of the University of La Frontera in Chile. In 2018 he was inducted to the Earth Hall of Fame by the Kyoto Prefecture, Japan and received the Diploma de Reconocimiento ( recognition diploma) “Naturaleza, Territorio y Sociedad” from the Universidad de Guadalajara, Mexico. In 2022 he recived an Honorary Doctorate from the Universidad Nacional Agraria de Habana, Cuba.

He has written more than 250 scientific articles and more than 40 books among them Agroecology: the science of sustainable agriculture, Biodiversity and pest management in agroecosystems and Agroecology: science and politics.

[paulw]

Yes, Darrin and team, what a great session! Thank you.

[paulw]

Just so you know, I'm returning to this and using it now (and in the future) for an agroecological exchange in NS / Mi'kma'ki as part of our NFU-NS organizing <3 Thank you again!

[paulw]

He lays out the strategic plan (or a strategic plan) for the NFU at the end, eh :)