Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
or more scientists to extend agroecological knowledge and protect natu-
ral resources through field-scale demonstration.” Some partnership lead-
ers, including SAREP, describe them as “agricultural partnerships,” but
“agroecological partnerships” is a more accurate term because they
develop agroecological knowledge in the field to protect environmental
resources while maintaining grower profitability, all supported by
applied scientific research. This model contains traditional elements of
extension, but deliberately configures them to more effectively promote
agroecological knowledge. As described in the next chapter, the scale of
grower, scientist, and organizational participation in agroecological part-
nerships, plus the degree of entrepreneurial leadership they have invested
in them, are without parallel in California over the past two decades. A
total of 32 partnerships in sixteen commodities were launched in
California between 1991 and 2003 (figure 3.2).
Lettuce & celery
Local or regional
Statewide
Mixed field crops
Artichokes
Rice
Strawberries
Dairy
Cotton
Sugarbeets
Prunes
Raisins & grapes
Stonefruit
Citrus
Almonds
Pears (& apples)
Walnuts
Winegrapes
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
Figure 3.2
California partnerships by commodity and scale.
