Challenges in designing ecological agriculture education: A Nordic perspective on change

• Published in: American journal of alternative agriculture 2001-06, Vol.16 (2), p.89-95
• Main Authors: Francis, Charles A., Lieblein, Geir, Helenius, Juha, Salomonsson, Lennart, Olsen, Hanne, Porter, John
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: action learning; Adult education; Agroecology; Agroecosystems; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; COMMENTARY; Ecological sustainability; Educational environment; Environmental education; experiential education; Family farms; Farming systems; Food systems; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Generalities. Biometrics, experimentation. Remote sensing; Generalities. Information. Documentation. Research; higher education; organic farming; Sustainable agriculture
• ISSN: 0889-1893; 1478-5498
• DOI: 10.1017/S0889189300008985

Educators in ecological agriculture are developing learning environments that differ in three fundamental ways from conventional teaching in agricultural universities and colleges. First, increased emphasis on food and production systems will expand and complement the current focus on specific disciplines and technologies. Second, introduction of research methods and learning objectives from social sciences will broaden the potentials for students to understand the complexities of food systems and the people who make them work. Third, action research and education will move learning activities into the agroecosystems environment and the human landscape, where students will learn from a broad array of people and experiences. This design of a new learning environment will enhance the education of students to serve agricultural and food systems well into a future that is changing at an accelerating rate.