Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
absolute need for agrochemicals among other growers, scientists, and
extensionists. These kinds of growers have a special credibility among
their peers, even among those who have great respect for the expert
knowledge of scientists. This credibility does not always translate into
mimicry, however, because other growers and scientists may bracket
their novel farming systems as exceptional due to special agroecological
traits on that farm, or exceptional grower skills. Even bracketed template
growers provoke questions about recommended practices, and demon-
strate the potential of alternatives.
The distinction between leading growers and enrolled growers is criti-
cal to understanding growers' participation. Enrolled growers are those
who have been invited to participate, and generally learn from others,
but also contribute valuable practical experience. These growers may
have experimented informally with agroecological practices on their
own, but they have not engaged other growers or organizations on this
subject. Enrolled growers are expected to dedicate a field or block for
experimenting with a new practice, learn more about pest or fertility
monitoring, and share this information with other growers and exten-
sionists in a structured way. In a majority of partnerships, enrolled
growers were expected to experiment with alternative soil and water
management techniques, and in a few they conducted some kind of
analysis of their farming systems. At public field days, other growers
learn about these practices, but those formally enrolled receive special
attention and resources from the extensionist. In some cases, they are
assisted with cost-sharing for inputs, such as cover crop seeds or
pheromones.
Partnership leaders emphasize to growers that participation in partner-
ship activities is voluntary, and that they can withdraw at any time. In
California, they express this to growers by telling them they can “spray
out” their orchard or field if they so decide that it is economically neces-
sary. Growers' participation among the 32 partnerships varies widely,
and takes different forms according to the biological factors of crop
production, and the social relations in that commodity and specific
partnership.
Twenty-nine of the California partnerships reported formally or semi-
formally enrolling growers. They enrolled 24,000 acres in partnerships,
and they collectively farmed nearly 250,000 acres.
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Who are these grow-
