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Agroecology in Canada: Towards an Integration of Agroecological Practice, Movement, and Science

Author

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  • Marney E. Isaac

    (Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON M1C 1A4, Canada
    Centre for Critical Development Studies, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON M1C 1A4, Canada
    Department of Geography and Planning, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada)

  • S. Ryan Isakson

    (Centre for Critical Development Studies, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON M1C 1A4, Canada
    Department of Geography and Planning, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada)

  • Bryan Dale

    (Department of Geography and Planning, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada)

  • Charles Z. Levkoe

    (Department of Health Sciences, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1, Canada)

  • Sarah K. Hargreaves

    (Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario, Guelph, ON N1H 6J2, Canada)

  • V. Ernesto Méndez

    (Department of Plant and Soil Science and Environment Program, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA)

  • Hannah Wittman

    (Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada)

  • Colleen Hammelman

    (Department of Geography and Earth Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA)

  • Jennifer C. Langill

    (Department of Geography and Planning, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada)

  • Adam R. Martin

    (Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON M1C 1A4, Canada
    Centre for Critical Development Studies, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON M1C 1A4, Canada)

  • Erin Nelson

    (Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada)

  • Michael Ekers

    (Department of Geography and Planning, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada)

  • Kira A. Borden

    (Department of Geography and Planning, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada)

  • Stephanie Gagliardi

    (Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON M1C 1A4, Canada)

  • Serra Buchanan

    (Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON M1C 1A4, Canada)

  • Sarah Archibald

    (Department of Geography and Planning, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada)

  • Astrid Gálvez Ciani

    (Centre for Critical Development Studies, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON M1C 1A4, Canada)

Abstract

This article surveys the current state of agroecology in Canada, giving particular attention to agroecological practices, the related social movements, and the achievements of agroecological science. In each of these realms, we find that agroecology emerges as a response to the various social and ecological problems associated with the prevailing industrial model of agricultural production that has long been promoted in the country under settler colonialism. Although the prevalence and prominence of agroecology is growing in Canada, its presence is still small and the support for its development is limited. We provide recommendations to achieve a more meaningful integration of agroecology in Canadian food policy and practice.

Suggested Citation

  • Marney E. Isaac & S. Ryan Isakson & Bryan Dale & Charles Z. Levkoe & Sarah K. Hargreaves & V. Ernesto Méndez & Hannah Wittman & Colleen Hammelman & Jennifer C. Langill & Adam R. Martin & Erin Nelson &, 2018. "Agroecology in Canada: Towards an Integration of Agroecological Practice, Movement, and Science," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-17, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:9:p:3299-:d:169995
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    2. Colleen Hammelman & Elizabeth Shoffner & Maria Cruzat & Samantha Lee, 2022. "Assembling agroecological socio-natures: a political ecology analysis of urban and peri-urban agriculture in Rosario, Argentina," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 39(1), pages 371-383, March.
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