Longitudinal Network Analysis on a Farmers’ Community of Practice and Their Changes in Agricultural Systems Management

Longitudinal Network Analysis on a Farmers’ Community of Practice and Their Changes in Agricultural Systems Management

Teodoro Morales, J.D. (TU Delft Transport and Logistics; Brock University)
Baird, Julia (Brock University)
Otung, Idorenyin (Brock University)

2022

Farmer peer networks have been identified as a key way to increase adoption of beneficial management practices to minimize negative environmental impacts of intensive agriculture. We studied the social processes that contribute to beneficial management practice adoption. We administered two questionnaires to participants of a farmer community of practice, the Ontario Soil Network in Ontario, Canada, prior to participation (Period 1) and at the conclusion of the program, 1 year later (Period 2). All three measured networks, based on communication frequency, sharing and seeking advice, and production system changes, expanded from Period 1 to Period 2 and around 80% of participants adopted or expanded their use of beneficial management practices. Our findings indicate that communication in multiple forms was related to beneficial management practice adoption and expansion. These findings support the focus on farmer peer networks as a valuable policy tool to enhance agricultural environmental sustainability.

Agriculture
beneficial management practice
community of practice
longitudinal analysis
social network analysis
sustainability

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:0e049707-d21f-4b41-bf0f-26618a7392f1

https://doi.org/10.1080/08941920.2022.2135152

0894-1920

Society & Natural Resources, 36 (2), 90-107

Institutional Repository

journal article

© 2022 J.D. Teodoro Morales, Julia Baird, Idorenyin Otung