The Transformation to Organic: Insights from Practice Theory

Abstract

This paper draws on practice theory to frame and understand the process of converting from non-organic (conventional) to organic farming. Within this context we seek to deepen our understanding of the transformation1 processes that occur, including the on-farm experiences of farmers in the course of conversion to organic practices. More specifically, our aim is to  Introduce general characteristics of the transformation process;  Develop a theoretical framework based on practice theory which helps us understand the complexity of the transformation processes and  Apply this framework in discussing selected aspects of transformation of an organic farm in the plant production sector; We close with findings that are of theoretical and practical interest in understanding the transition to organic. Practice theory offers a useful analytic means to identify and describe the essential or defining farms and related systems and dynamics of both non-organic and organic farming characteristics, as well as the related transformation processes from non-organic to organic systems. We look to practice theory for insights and understanding in the dynamic and reflexive inter-relationships between structures and individual performance, materiality and embodiment of practices and cognitive-mental processes. Practice theory draws attention to the inter-relatedness of: the farmer’s physical activity; the materiality of the things and artifacts with which the farmer works and which help to define the farmer’s physical environment; and, the interactions between nature and the farmer as a social actor. We illustrate this process by looking at selected practices mainly in plant