Scaling up mechanisms in citizen farming initiatives: Lessons learned from a citizen-led and collective agroecological farm

Abstract

Citizen initiatives are gaining prominence as they clearly articulate core social values and contribute to localized agri-food transitions. However, stakeholders within these initiatives may encounter challenges when attempting to engage in rescaling processes. This raises questions regarding the implementation mechanisms: How can citizen-led agricultural and food initiatives successfully scale up, and what mechanisms and prerequisites are necessary to achieve this? To address these questions, we employ a temporal approach that integrates three analytical dimensions: meaning, governance, and space. This approach is applied to a case study of a citizen-led experiment that establishes a collective farm promoting agroecology across approximately 100 ha near Clermont-Ferrand in central France. The methodology relies on primary data obtained through participatory workshops, where participants co-constructed a chronicle of the project. The analysis results are presented as a narrative, highlighting four temporal sequences characterized by different articulations and modalities between meaning, governance, and space. By examining this unique initiative involving citizen participation in agriculture and food, we shed light on the process of collective action and the far-reaching effects of experiments that serve as alternatives to productivist agri-food models while redefining approaches to policymaking and economic practices. Through this lens, we demonstrate the project's deep-rooted connection to a complex environment, addressing the challenges faced in agri-food transition within a specific territory.