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Research article2011Peer reviewed

Innovative Education in Agroecology: Experiential Learning for a Sustainable Agriculture

Francis, Charles; Jordan, NR; Porter, Paul; Breland, Tor Arvid; Lieblein, Geir; Salomonsson, Lennart; Sriskandarajah, Nadarajah; Wiedenhoeft, M.; DeHaan, R; Braden, I; Langer, V

Abstract

The transdisciplinary field of agroecology provides a platform for experiential learning based on an expanded vision of research on sustainable farming and food systems and the application of results in creating effective learning landscapes for students. With increased recognition of limitations of fossil fuels, fresh water, and available farmland, educators are changing focus from strategies to reach maximum yields to those that feature resource use efficiency and resilience of production systems in a less benign climate. To help students deal with complexity and uncertainty and a wide range of biological and social dimensions of the food challenge, a whole-systems approach that involves life-cycle analysis and consideration of long-term impacts of systems is essential. Seven educational case studies in the Nordic Region and the U.S. Midwest demonstrate how educators can incorporate theory of the ecology of food systems with the action learning component needed to develop student potentials to create responsible change in society. New roles of agroecology instructors and students are described as they pursue a co-learning strategy to develop and apply technology to assure the productivity and security of future food systems.

Keywords

action education; service learning; transdisciplinary education; systems education; holistic learning; integrated systems

Published in

Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences
2011, Volume: 30, number: 1-2, article number: PII 937016472Publisher: TAYLOR & FRANCIS INC

    Sustainable Development Goals

    SDG2 Zero hunger
    SDG4 Quality education

    UKÄ Subject classification

    Other Agricultural Sciences not elsewhere specified

    Publication identifier

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/07352689.2011.554497

    Permanent link to this page (URI)

    https://res.slu.se/id/publ/42349