Beyond GM are running a consultation process with farmers, which will take the form of a series of workshops on appropriate technologies and governance principles to aid the agroecological transition. They are looking for farmers from across the UK and have asked us to help find 2-3 farmers from NI. Have a read through the pdf's attached to find out more. The commitment does not seem to be too much and is very flexible.
This project aims to bring together farmers from all strands of agroecology – including organic
permaculture, biodynamic, ‘nature friendly farmers’ and pasture for life – for a series of discussions
about the issues and questions raised in this briefing. The aim is to understand the points of
agreement and disagreement, and hopefully work towards developing a set of principles to help
guide the assessment of agroecologically appropriate technology which are accepted by all under the
agroecological umbrella.
Participatory and co-created knowledge creation are important principles of agroecology and the
project represents a unique opportunity for farmer voices to be front and centre of these
conversations.
With the well-funded tech agenda in full force, it is vital that the agroecological movement grapples
with the challenges and opportunities this presents. This project is an important part of the efforts to
empower the movement to create its own narrative about what is required for the transformational
change which agroecology can provide.
The goals of this process are to:
• Demonstrate that technologies are not values-neutral.
• Understand the “world view” and values underpinning the assumed technology assessments and
choices of differing types of agroecological farmers within their systems.
• Identify areas of overlap between these systems.
• Use points of overlap to define core principles and criteria of appropriate technology for
agroecology, focusing on key points of need, values and local circumstances.
• Develop ‘case studies’ which show how certain technologies (and relevant policies) support or
subvert agroecology’s goals.
• Report on our findings in a way that allows different strands within the “agroecology movement” to
move forward together in the face of the pressure to usurp the principles of agroecology through
technological “trojan horses”.
Find out more: https;//abiggerconversation.org