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Veganic farming in the United States: farmer perceptions, motivations, and experiences

Author

Listed:
  • Mona Seymour

    (Loyola Marymount University)

  • Alisha Utter

    (University of Vermont)

Abstract

Veganic agriculture, often described as farming that is free of synthetic and animal-based inputs, represents an alternative to chemical-based industrial agriculture and the prevailing alternative, organic agriculture, respectively. Despite the promise of veganic methods in diverse realms such as food safety, environmental sustainability, and animal liberation, it has a small literature base. This article draws primarily on interviews conducted in 2018 with 25 veganic farmers from 19 farms in the United States to establish some baseline empirical research on this farming community. Its qualitative perspectives illuminate farmer perceptions of and experiences with veganic growing, including definitions, knowledge acquisition, values, and challenges. Results highlight a lack of agreement about the meaning of veganic agriculture in terms of allowable inputs and scope. Participants have drawn on a wide array of veganic and non-veganic resources to ascend their veganic production learning curves, also relying on experimentation and trial-and-error. Their farming is motivated by a diversity of real and perceived benefits, most notably consistency with veganism, food safety advantages, and plant and soil health benefits. Veganic product sourcing and the dearth of veganic agriculture-specific resources present considerable challenges to farmers. The article briefly discusses possibilities for developing veganic agriculture in the United States, such as through a US-based certification system and farmers’ associations, based on considerations of the trajectory of the US organic farming movement and veganic developments in Europe. Finally, the article suggests the importance of expanded research into soil health and fertility in plant-based systems to support practicing and potential veganic farmers.

Suggested Citation

  • Mona Seymour & Alisha Utter, 2021. "Veganic farming in the United States: farmer perceptions, motivations, and experiences," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 38(4), pages 1139-1159, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:agrhuv:v:38:y:2021:i:4:d:10.1007_s10460-021-10225-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s10460-021-10225-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Eri Matsuura & Masakazu Komatsuzaki & Rahmatullah Hashimi, 2018. "Assessment of Soil Organic Carbon Storage in Vegetable Farms Using Different Farming Practices in the Kanto Region of Japan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-17, January.
    2. Daniel Jaffee & Philip Howard, 2010. "Corporate cooptation of organic and fair trade standards," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 27(4), pages 387-399, December.
    3. Mads V. Markussen & Michal Kulak & Laurence G. Smith & Thomas Nemecek & Hanne Østergård, 2014. "Evaluating the Sustainability of a Small-Scale Low-Input Organic Vegetable Supply System in the United Kingdom," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(4), pages 1-33, April.
    4. Jürkenbeck, Kristin & Schleicher, Lara & Meyerding, Stephan G.H., 2019. "Marketing Potential for Biocyclic-Vegan-Products? A Qualitative, Explorative Study with Experts and Consumers," German Journal of Agricultural Economics, Humboldt-Universitaet zu Berlin, Department for Agricultural Economics, vol. 68(4), December.
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    Cited by:

    1. İlkay Unay-Gailhard & Mark A. Brennen, 2022. "How digital communications contribute to shaping the career paths of youth: a review study focused on farming as a career option," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 39(4), pages 1491-1508, December.
    2. Steffen Hirth & Theresa Bürstmayr & Anke Strüver, 2022. "Discourses of sustainability and imperial modes of food provision: agri-food-businesses and consumers in Germany," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 39(2), pages 573-588, June.
    3. Unay-Gailhard, İlkay & Brennen, Mark A., 2022. "How digital communications contribute to shaping the career paths of youth: A review study focused on farming as a career option," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 39(4), pages 1491-1508.

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