Food for degrowth (English)

Degrowth scholarship frequently references alternative agriculture models as tangible examples of transition in practice compatible with visions of “Degrowth.” Organic and community supported agriculture, urban and rural self-sufficiency, the Agroecology movement and sub-practices such as agroforestry are often "name-dropped" when scholars attempt to demystify logical pathways for reducing society’s material and energy footprints and negative impact on the biosphere. In spite of this form of “literary” symbiosis, Degrowth remains distant as an intellectual and physical ally of two influential movements encouraging transformative change within the agriculture sector, Agroecology and Regenerative Agriculture.

Statistics indicate that the average age of farmers is increasing across the globe, and while the question remains of who will be the next generation of land stewards involved in agriculture, a positive sign in the last decade is the increase in interest in food systems from students, researchers and common citizens. Industrial agriculture’s role as a primary contributor to climate change is well understood, and the rapid adoption of agroecological compatible farming practices represents one of the only proven methods for sequestering atmospheric carbon and working towards socially just food systems. This presentation will focus on providing tips for empowering non farmers who seek to provide support to farmers and farming networks, presenting various experiences of volunteering, participatory action research and community organization.

This presentation will also introduce key successes and enduring challenges of the Agroecology and Regenerative Agriculture movements within the Central European context, citing practical and intellectual knowledge gained working directly with farm communities in Hungary and in international educational projects for farmers supported by the European Union. The presentation will be built on experience acquired over the last decade working as a gardener on a functioning organic farm serving an active local food community, and within the Degrowth inspired cooperative Cargonomia in Hungary.

We invite participants who contribute to alternative food movements as practitioners, researchers, activists or allies and will dive deeper into the following questions:

• How can Degrowth scholarship contribute to strengthening narratives and strategy trajectories within the Agroecology and Regenerative Agriculture movements?
• What is the role and potential of Degrowth advocates in supporting the viability and impact of alternative food movements?
• What methods can Degrowth advocates follow to engage more effectively with farmers?

Logan Strenchock: has been a garden team member at Zsámboki Biokert since 2012, is a Co-Founder of Cargonomia, and the Environmental and Sustainability Officer at Central European University (CEU). He is the president of the Open Garden Foundation and helps coordinate educational outreach programs in coordination with Cargonomia and Zsámboki Biokert team members. He is a member of the Hungarian Agroecology Network and enjoys getting his hands dirty in mixing research and practice in degrowth-inspired experimentation with a diverse team of collaborators living in Hungary, and across Europe. At CEU he serves as a co-instructor within the Political Ecology of Food Systems and Introduction to Agroecology and Organic Gardening Systems courses.