Labor of Meaning, Labor of Need

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Mostafanezhad ◽  
Krisnawati Suryanata ◽  
Saleh Azizi ◽  
Nicole Milne
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Change ◽  
Coping Strategy ◽  
Civic Participation ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Organic Farms ◽  
Cultural Logic ◽  
Organic Farm ◽  
Organic Farmers

This chapter critically examines the promise of organic farm volunteering programs such as WWOOF in meeting organic farmers’ need for affordable labor in Hawaii. While organic farm volunteering offers a short term coping strategy for some organic farmers, the cultural logic and rationale that propels these programs perpetuates the underlying labor problems that plague small organic farms. This chapter demonstrates the limitations of organic farm volunteering when utilized as a form of civic participation to drive economic and socio-environmental change.

Reconciling information gaps in organic farm borrowers’ dealings with farm lenders

2015 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 469-483 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghangela Jones ◽  
Cesar Escalante ◽  
Hofner Rusiana
Keyword(s):  
Credit Risk ◽  
Organic Farms ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Risk Appraisal ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Credit Access ◽  
Organic Farm ◽  
Organic Farmers ◽  
Credit Risk Measurement ◽  
Information Gaps

Purpose – Organic outputs have been increasing at much lower rates than growth in consumer demand. Organic farmers’ debt aversion hinders them from obtaining business funds through borrowing. The purpose of this paper is to clarify that the farmers’ reluctance to use debt as a funding option can be more attributed to gaps in existing borrower-lender relationships, beyond sustainability principles. Design/methodology/approach – Empirical evidence collected from organic farmers and farm lenders establish differing expectations and perceptions that reinforce the organic farmers’ debt aversion. The farm lender survey data set was analyzed using the Heckman approach applied to two lenders’ decisions: their interest in lending to organic farm borrowers and loan amounts approved for successful loan applicants. The econometric results were reconciled with the compiled inputs provided by organic farmers interviewed. Findings – Results validate the farmers’ lower reliance on loans due to suspicions that lenders lack knowledge and consideration of organic farming conditions and principles. Farm lenders must depart from employing a uniform credit risk appraisal model and adopt borrower-specific versions of the model, but not necessarily delineating organic-conventional farming dichotomy that may not substantially affect credit risk measurement. Organic farms, on the other hand, need to better understand the credit risk appraisal principles and use their inherent business strengths to compete for loans with conventional farms without any special consideration. Practical implications – Borrower-lender relationships can improve if information gaps between lenders and borrowers can be minimized with more extensive outreach education efforts. Better relationships would increase organic farms’ credit access to effectively address an impending supply gap in an expanding industry. Originality/value – To the knowledge, a specific focus on organic farms in understanding farm borrower-lender relationships has never been explored in literature.

scholarly journals DNA methyltransferase 3a mediates developmental thermal plasticity

BMC Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabella Loughland ◽  
Alexander Little ◽  
Frank Seebacher
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Change ◽  
Dna Methyltransferase ◽  
Developmental Plasticity ◽  
Citrate Synthase ◽  
Thermal Sensitivity ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Cold Temperatures ◽  
Knock Out ◽  
Thermal Plasticity ◽  
Dna Methyltransferase 3A

Abstract Background Thermal plasticity is pivotal for evolution in changing climates and in mediating resilience to its potentially negative effects. The efficacy to respond to environmental change depends on underlying mechanisms. DNA methylation induced by DNA methyltransferase 3 enzymes in the germline or during early embryonic development may be correlated with responses to environmental change. This developmental plasticity can interact with reversible acclimation within adult organisms, which would increase the speed of response and could alleviate potential mismatches between parental or early embryonic environments and those experienced at later life stages. Our aim was to determine whether there is a causative relationship between DNMT3 enzyme and developmental thermal plasticity and whether either or both interact with short-term acclimation to alter fitness and thermal responses in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Results We developed a novel DNMT3a knock-out model to show that sequential knock-out of DNA methyltransferase 3a isoforms (DNMT3aa−/− and DNMT3aa−/−ab−/−) additively decreased survival and increased deformities when cold developmental temperatures in zebrafish offspring mismatched warm temperatures experienced by parents. Interestingly, short-term cold acclimation of parents before breeding rescued DNMT3a knock-out offspring by restoring survival at cold temperatures. DNMT3a knock-out genotype interacted with developmental temperatures to modify thermal performance curves in offspring, where at least one DNMT3a isoform was necessary to buffer locomotion from increasing temperatures. The thermal sensitivity of citrate synthase activity, an indicator of mitochondrial density, was less severely affected by DNMT3a knock-out, but there was nonetheless a significant interaction between genotype and developmental temperatures. Conclusions Our results show that DNMT3a regulates developmental thermal plasticity and that the phenotypic effects of different DNMT3a isoforms are additive. However, DNMT3a interacts with other mechanisms, such as histone (de)acetylation, induced during short-term acclimation to buffer phenotypes from environmental change. Interactions between these mechanisms make phenotypic compensation for climate change more efficient and make it less likely that thermal plasticity incurs a cost resulting from environmental mismatches.

Organic farming in Austria

1999 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 137-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian R. Vogl ◽  
Jürgen Hess
Keyword(s):  
Organic Farming ◽  
Meat Products ◽  
Brand Names ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Organic Farms ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Organic Movement ◽  
Organic Products ◽  
Organic Farmers ◽  
Present Decade

AbstractDuring the present decade, Austria has experienced a dramatic increase in organic farming among those countries that comprise the European Union (EU). For example, in 1992, approximately 2,000 farms were practicing organic, ecological, or biodynamic farming methods. By 1997 the number of certified organic farms plus those in transition from conventional farming had increased 10-fold to some 20,000 farms. This represents almost 9% of the total farms in Austria and an area of 345,375 ha, or 10% of the total cultivated farmland. The largest concentration of organic farms is in regions with a high proportion of alpine grassland or pastures. Approximately 50% of the organic farms range in size from 5 to 15 ha. The strong organic movement in Austria can be attributed to a) government subsidies which provide incentives to organic farmers and b) widespread acceptance of organic products and their brand names by large food chains and supermarkets. More than 60% of organic farmers are affiliated with associations and organizations that provide advisory and support services in marketing activities. Certification of organic farms and food processors is conducted by seven monitoring bodies according to EU regulation No. 2092/91, which guarantees legallybinding standards of food safety and quality to EU consumers, and according to the Austrian Alimentari Codex. Since January 1998, all monitoring/certifying bodies in Austria must verify accreditation according to regulation European Norm 45011. The major supermarket chain offers a variety of organic dairy and meat products, as well as organic ice cream, pizza, vegetables, fruits, baby foods, and bread. The current domestic wholesale value of organic products marketed from Austrian farms is approximately 170 million US$ annually. Unfortunately, funding for support of scientific research and extension to enhance organic farming and marketing has not kept pace with the increasing number of organic farms and farmers. Additional funding is essential to ensure the sustainable development of the organic movement and the organic market.

scholarly journals History meets palaeoscience: Consilience and collaboration in studying past societal responses to environmental change

2018 ◽  
Vol 115 (13) ◽  
pp. 3210-3218 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Haldon ◽  
Lee Mordechai ◽  
Timothy P. Newfield ◽  
Arlen F. Chase ◽  
Adam Izdebski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Environmental Change ◽  
Natural Sciences ◽  
Cultural Resilience ◽  
Cultural Logic ◽  
Holistic View ◽  
Mitigation And Adaptation ◽  
Societal Development ◽  
Contemporary Politics ◽  
History Of

History and archaeology have a well-established engagement with issues of premodern societal development and the interaction between physical and cultural environments; together, they offer a holistic view that can generate insights into the nature of cultural resilience and adaptation, as well as responses to catastrophe. Grasping the challenges that climate change presents and evolving appropriate policies that promote and support mitigation and adaptation requires not only an understanding of the science and the contemporary politics, but also an understanding of the history of the societies affected and in particular of their cultural logic. But whereas archaeologists have developed productive links with the paleosciences, historians have, on the whole, remained muted voices in the debate until recently. Here, we suggest several ways in which a consilience between the historical sciences and the natural sciences, including attention to even distant historical pasts, can deepen contemporary understanding of environmental change and its effects on human societies.

Taphonomic variations in Eocene fish-bearing varves at Horsefly, British Columbia, reveal 10 000 years of environmental change

2005 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas G Barton ◽  
Mark VH Wilson
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Environmental Change ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Stratified Lake ◽  
Varved Sediments ◽  
Fish Morphology ◽  
Hypoxic Water ◽  
Lake Floor ◽  
Several Intervals

The Eocene Horsefly locality in British Columbia has yielded many fossil fishes, insects, and plants. Its varved sediments make it ideal for study of temporal changes in environment and fish morphology. Several intervals of diatomaceous varves indicate a deep, stratified lake setting. Earlier studies focused on morphological and taphonomic change during the 700-year H2 interval and morphological change during the 10 000-year H3 interval. The present study uses taphonomy as an index for environmental change during the ten millennia represented by H3, comparing taphonomic changes with the morphologic changes found earlier. The H3 interval records deposition in deep water, indicated by dominance of the fish genera Amyzon and Eohiodon. Quiet water conditions are indicated by minimal fin disarticulation. Hypoxia at the time of fish death is confirmed by open mouths of most fish specimens, while cool water on the lake floor prevented full flotation of fish carcasses. Water depth, temperature, and oxygenation fluctuated during H3 deposition. Periods of cooler, deeper, more hypoxic water are indicated by greater numbers and size of Amyzon specimens and by less disarticulation of skull and abdominal bones. Periods of warmer, shallower, more oxygenated waters are indicated by more disarticulation, less fin tetany, smaller fish specimens, and greater diversity of species. Correlations between the taphonomic changes and morphological changes in A. aggregatum are weak. Therefore, the morphological changes are not easily explained as ecophenotypic or short-term evolutionary responses to changes in physical lake conditions.

scholarly journals The Mental Health of the Organic Farmer: Psychosocial and Contextual Actors

2018 ◽  
Vol 66 (12) ◽  
pp. 606-616 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Brigance ◽  
Francisco Soto Mas ◽  
Victoria Sanchez ◽  
Alexis J. Handal
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Organic Farms ◽  
Organic Movement ◽  
Perceived Need ◽  
Organic Farmers ◽  
Qualitative Descriptive ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Human And Social Capital ◽  
Mental Health Factors

Despite the large body of research and literature on the health and mental health of farmers, we should not assume that research findings necessarily apply to the organic farmer. The limited literature on the mental health of the organic farmer points to potential differences. Research has found that workers on organic farms may be happier than their counterparts; others have identified added sources of stress related to the perceived need of organic farmers to embrace concepts linked to the organic movement. However, further research is needed to identify both risk and protective factors for mental health among organic farmers. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore the psychosocial and contextual factors that may relate to the mental health of the organic farmer. Key informant interviews were conducted with 10 farm producers and 20 farm workers. The findings indicated that respondents recognized mental health as influential in the workplace and the future of organic practices (e.g., the mental, financial, physical stress). Some of the risk factors mentioned by participants reflected those experienced by conventional, nonorganic farmers. Participants also reported contentment with farming as an occupation, the benefits of being connected to the land, feelings of social and environmental responsibility, and engagement in social activities that may promote human and social capital. These feelings and activities ultimately benefit the farmer, contribute to social cohesion, and may have positive implications for mental health. Results suggest that there may be protective mental health factors unique to the organic farmer.

scholarly journals Financial health of agricultural enterprises in the organic farming sector

2011 ◽  
Vol 59 (7) ◽  
pp. 91-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivana Brožová
Keyword(s):  
Organic Farming ◽  
Financial Indicators ◽  
Financial Health ◽  
Organic Farms ◽  
Conventional Agriculture ◽  
Agricultural Enterprises ◽  
Average Value ◽  
Organic Farm ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Legal Entities

The present research was aimed at evaluating the economic performance of organic farm enterprises (legal entities) in the Czech Republic on the basis of their production base and financial health. The evaluation was carried out by means of specific financial indicators. The results recorded in the organic farming sector were confronted with those of the conventional agriculture. It stemmed from the analysis that conventionally farming legal entities, as opposed to the organically farming ones, tend to have higher average assets per hectare of farmland. Secondly, as for the structure of assets, fixed assets prevail substantially over current assets. Organic farms, on the contrary, have a significantly higher average value of external financial resources per hectare of farmland. In order to evaluate the financial health of organic farms, their economic results were used; firstly in absolute value (including per hectare calculation) and then within the individual ratios. The analysis showed that 84.4 % farms of the sample were profitable as long as subsidies were included in the yields. While excluding subsidies from the calculations, an overwhelming majority of enterprises (95.3 %) recorded a loss. Comparing the per hectare economic results, higher average profit rates were recorded for organic farms. Furthermore, financial health of the enterprises was analyzed by means of selected indicator ratios. Concrete results, including the respective commentaries, can be found in the present paper too.

scholarly journals Modeling Adaptive and Non-adaptive Responses of Populations to Environmental Change

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim Coulson ◽  
Bruce E Kendall ◽  
Julia Barthold ◽  
Floriane Plard ◽  
Susanne Schindler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Change ◽  
Adaptive Evolution ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Natural World ◽  
Data Driven ◽  
Adaptive Responses ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Population Responses ◽  
Quantitative Genetic ◽  
Plastic Responses

AbstractUnderstanding how the natural world will be impacted by environmental change over the coming decades is one of the most pressing challenges facing humanity. Addressing this challenge is difficult because environmental change can generate both population level plastic and evolutionary responses, with plastic responses being either adaptive or non-adaptive. We develop an approach that links quantitative genetic theory with data-driven structured models to allow prediction of population responses to environmental change via plasticity and adaptive evolution. After introducing general new theory, we construct a number of example models to demonstrate that evolutionary responses to environmental change over the short-term will be considerably slower than plastic responses, and that the rate of adaptive evolution to a new environment depends upon whether plastic responses are adaptive or non-adaptive. Parameterization of the models we develop requires information on genetic and phenotypic variation and demography that will not always be available, meaning that simpler models will often be required to predict responses to environmental change. We consequently develop a method to examine whether the full machinery of the evolutionarily explicit models we develop will be needed to predict responses to environmental change, or whether simpler non-evolutionary models that are now widely constructed may be sufficient.

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