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Agroecology and Sustainable Food

Systems
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Agroecology, Transdisciplinarity, and

Climate Change
a
Steve Gliessman
a
Editor
Published online: 18 Oct 2013.

To cite this article: Steve Gliessman (2013) Agroecology, Transdisciplinarity, and Climate Change,
Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, 37:10, 1101-1102, DOI: 10.1080/21683565.2013.835762

To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21683565.2013.835762

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 Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, 37:1101–1102, 2013
Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
ISSN: 2168-3565 print/2168-3573 online
DOI: 10.1080/21683565.2013.835762

EDITORIAL

Agroecology, Transdisciplinarity,
and Climate Change

Standing in a field, which two weeks prior had been flooded killing most
Downloaded by [University of Nebraska, Lincoln] at 22:19 06 April 2015

of the vegetable crops, I listened to a farmer describe how he was shift-

ing planting patterns and practices to adapt to what—to him—had become
an all too common circumstance. Through his eyes, I could see the direct
impact of climate change. I was in Burlington, Vermont, as part of the 14th
International Agroecology Shortcourse, sponsored jointly by the University of
Vermont’s Agroecology and Rural Livelihoods Group (ARLG) and the non-
profit Community Agroecology Network (CAN). Taking place during July
7–20, 2013, the course was titled “Agroecological Approaches for Climate
Change and Food Systems Resilience” and it seemed to be no coincidence
that the extreme weather events had caused the flooding two weeks before.
The impacted farmer told us that such events were becoming more com-
monplace. Two years earlier, flooding caused by Hurricane Irene was even
worse. Climate patterns are just not the same. He was changing his system
in order to stay resilient and keep farming. By changing crops, putting in
berms to hold back high water, and planting flood-prone crops only on high
ground were some of the ways he was already changing.
Course participants from several countries and multiple U.S. states
came together during the shortcourse to learn about agroecology and its
role in transforming global food systems to sustainability. Five farms in
the Burlington area were our “laboratories” for exploring the resilience
of our food systems to multiple pressures and changes, especially climate
change. Together with these farmers, we explored agroecology as a
multidimensional endeavor characterized by participatory, transdisciplinary,
and action-oriented approaches. The transdisciplinary approach moved
us beyond interdisciplinarity with a broader action- and change-oriented
agenda that integrates different knowledge systems. In this way, farmer
observation and experience links with scientist inquiry and testing as
practice and research are joined to set a common agenda for change. The
conventional top down flow of information can become a collaborative
process of designing and implementing alternative farming practices that
go beyond the primary focus on higher yields and integrate the broader
aspects of sustainability. From agroecology’s foundations in ecological

1101
 1102 S. Gliessman

science, we explored a wide range of approaches including ecological

economics, environmental services, participatory methods, food security and
sovereignty, gender and food systems, multifunctionality, labor and food
systems, climate change and agriculture, and alternative markets. We also
had many opportunities to share in local organic food and brew as we
experienced the Vermont food system first hand.
Participants came into the course with many questions about
agroecology and how to apply it, and went away motivated to be active food
system change agents. From agroecological changes in farming practices to
empowering food justice, they each could see how their involvement in
food systems transformation could happen and why it was needed. But per-
haps most importantly, they learned how important transdisciplinarity was
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in agroecology. Concepts such as resilience, sovereignty, and sustainability

took on new meaning when they were linked across natural and social sci-
ence knowledge systems. Tools such as networking, geographic information
systems, and participatory action research could be seen as important ways
of promoting food system change. And actions such as climate mitigation,
alternative market development, and social movements could all be seen as
important means of food system transformation. The farmer whose field was
being repeatedly flooded comes immediately to mind, and adapting to cli-
mate extremes has become part of his survival strategy. But he also plans to
continue his commitment to certified organic production, selling directly to
consumers at local farmers’ markets, and providing fresh produce at reduced
prices to low-income communities in Burlington. He was an excellent exam-
ple for our course of how changing personal values and belief systems are
as important as changing broader food system paradigms.
I hope to see the results of some of this transformative action appear as
contributions to ASFS in the very near future.

Steve Gliessman
Editor