Alternative Food Networks (AFNs) represent a change in food production and consumption practices. Their importance has increased among consumers wishing healthier nutrition, farmers’ support, and sustainable agriculture. Drawing upon the concept of landscape as expressed in the European Landscape Convention, the paper aims to study if, and to what extent, ethics of organic farmers being part of AFNs could be used as theoretical framework to boost spatial planning for agricultural landscape conservation. The paper analyses the case study of the Soto del Grillo agro-ecological municipal park in Spain. In-depth interviews were used in order to get spontaneous and complete information by farmers. In order to schematise the information, theoretical categories described by Morris & Kirwan (2011) were considered: i) understanding relationships between production methods and ecological benefits, ii) realising methods, and iii) utilising the information provided by the previous dimensions to communicate with customers. Texts and images of farms websites have also been analysed, in order to see how traditional landscapes questions and ecological values such as biodiversity are associated with food quality. Results are discussed in the light of the park regulation and future development projects, especially focusing on the connection between food, territory and traditional landscape, in order to see whether the driving forces highlighted by farmers are taken into account in the practice. This relationship could open a new season in spatial planning processes, taking into account cultural and social aspects of food production and consumption, encouraging sustainable tourism and reinforcing the relationship between rural and urban spaces.
Agricultural landscape protection and organic farming ethics: The role of Alternative Food Networks in spatial planning. a case study from Spain.
PINNA, SALVATORE
2016-01-01
Abstract
Alternative Food Networks (AFNs) represent a change in food production and consumption practices. Their importance has increased among consumers wishing healthier nutrition, farmers’ support, and sustainable agriculture. Drawing upon the concept of landscape as expressed in the European Landscape Convention, the paper aims to study if, and to what extent, ethics of organic farmers being part of AFNs could be used as theoretical framework to boost spatial planning for agricultural landscape conservation. The paper analyses the case study of the Soto del Grillo agro-ecological municipal park in Spain. In-depth interviews were used in order to get spontaneous and complete information by farmers. In order to schematise the information, theoretical categories described by Morris & Kirwan (2011) were considered: i) understanding relationships between production methods and ecological benefits, ii) realising methods, and iii) utilising the information provided by the previous dimensions to communicate with customers. Texts and images of farms websites have also been analysed, in order to see how traditional landscapes questions and ecological values such as biodiversity are associated with food quality. Results are discussed in the light of the park regulation and future development projects, especially focusing on the connection between food, territory and traditional landscape, in order to see whether the driving forces highlighted by farmers are taken into account in the practice. This relationship could open a new season in spatial planning processes, taking into account cultural and social aspects of food production and consumption, encouraging sustainable tourism and reinforcing the relationship between rural and urban spaces.
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