WHY STUDY AGROECOLOGY?

THE INTERNATIONAL AGROECOLOGY LEARNING NETWORK, A COOPERATION OF DIFFERENT MASTERS OF AGROECOLOGY IDENTIFIED 6 SHIFTS REQUIRED FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE…

  1. Recognize and Accommodate to Natural Resources Limits and Global Climate Change
  2. Embrace and Adapt to Human Population in Balance with Available Resources
  3. Develop System that Rely on Appropriate Technologies and Local Resources
  4. Replace “Monoculture Mentality” with Diverse and Creative Thinking
  5. Overcome Institutional Stagnation in Education and Research Planning
  6. Evolve from Short-term “Anthropocentric” Focus to “Ecosystems” Thinking

…AND 12 PRINCIPLES WHICH WILL ENABLE TO GRADUATES TO DRIVE THESE SHIFTS.

  1. Use ecological principles to inform design of farming and food systems
  2. Adapt multi-criteria sustainability assessment of food systems
  3. Work with stakeholders to develop shared goals for sustainable development
  4. Recognize farmers experience as one valid contributor to farm system design
  5. Create holistic understanding for systems evaluation and future scenario design
  6. Combine methods from science with practical experience
  7. Integrate discipline-derived components into whole systems scenarios
  8. Use organic farming as a working model for sustainable agricultural systems
  9. Maximum use of contemporary resources in local food systems
  10. Emphasize social learning, autonomous activity, and lifelong education
  11. Recognize student experience as a key contribution to team learning
  12. Design learning to build capacity for future responsible action