Relations between views of nature and practices in Danish organic farming

Pernille Kaltoft

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    Abstract

    The paper presents and discusses empirical results from my ph.d. study concerning environmental ethics as a concept of practice. The theoretical approach to the study of environmental ethics is not purely philosophical. It questions what guides professionals in action with nature (farmers, agronomists, engineers and the alike) when deciding which solution is preferable regarding sustainability.The empirical work examines the explicit as well as the implicit expressed views of nature, ethical stands, learning processes, knowledge sources and identity with a number of Danish organic farmers. These findings are related to the actual manuring strategies, diversity in crops and products and ways of treating the herd at the same farms. The empirical study is methodologically based on qualitative methods inspired by phenomenology, ethnography and narrativity.The outcome is four distinct groups of organic farmers, which does not differ much from other surveys, but are much more detailed as regards view of nature and the relation to action. The results will be presented as casestories.Two general conclusions can be drawn from the study: The first regards the process of conversion to organic farming. The concrete level of sustainability can not be ensured only by means of factual rules (quantitative rules). The conceptualizing by farmers of nature is an independent parameter. Underestimated as it is, this parameter is not addressed in the process of conversion. The second conclusion regards the expanding research in organic farming: The organic farming in practice represents a variety of views of nature. So does scientific work, but especially the natural scientifical and agrotechnical sciences has no tradition for reflecting that kind of matters. If the scientific approaches do not try to make their stands explicit for discussion and disagreement it might mean that qualities embedded in the organic farming are not acknowledged, approved and developed.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationDown to earth - and further afield
    Publication date1996
    Pages222-227
    Publication statusPublished - 1996
    EventDown to earth - and further afield - Copebhagen
    Duration: 1 Jan 1996 → …

    Conference

    ConferenceDown to earth - and further afield
    CityCopebhagen
    Period01/01/1996 → …

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