Agro-Innovation Systems: Forecasting, Collaborations and Structure
Understanding how the science of agricultural innovation is accomplished to help inform ways to transform agricultural systems so that they are sustainable and equitable.
In search of LTARtians: collaboration in a science network
- PI: Zach Hurst; co-PIs: Claire Friedrichsen, Gwendŵr Meredith, J.D. Wulfhorst
- This project will comprehensively investigate the current state of research collaboration networks among all LTAR-affiliated researchers. The research will inquire with scientists about their research activities and patterns. LTAR researchers will also be asked about their perspectives, needs and activities regarding the incorporation of human dimensions into their research. Results of the survey will be elaborated by incorporation of data gathered in association with research leader qualitative interviews in the LTAR Agro-Innovations System study. The project will provide a baseline of data that the LTAR network can revisit retrospectively, to assess shifts in the network through time.
LTAR Agro-Innovations System
- PI: Claire Friedrichsen; co-PIs: Gwendŵr Meredith, Zachary Hurst, J.D. Wulfhorst
- This project aims to use the Agro-innovations theoretical framework to create a baseline understanding of the human dimensions capacity of LTAR. With this baseline understanding of the institutional structure of the Agro-innovations system of LTAR we will strategically determine recommendations for strengthening LTAR innovation systems and human dimensions capacity.
Walking softly? Evaluating the footprints of BAU and ASP agricultural systems
- PI: Zach Hurst (in collaboration with LTAR scientists)
- This study will use the Integrated Farm System Model (IFSM) to evaluate the difference between Business As Usual (BAU) and Aspirational (ASP) agricultural systems in terms of their ecological footprints, ecosystem services, and social impacts. These systems will be modeled for current climate and future climate scenarios. Based upon this analysis the vulnerability of different systems to climate change will be estimated.
Aspirational Systems Common Experiments Forecasting
- PI: Claire Friedrichsen; co-PIs: Gwendŵr Meredith, Zachary Hurst, J.D. Wulfhorst
- This research will explore various stakeholder engagement processes to make decisions on aspirational treatments and forecasting their impact on the food system. The stakeholder engagement processes will include a wide variety of producers and food system stakeholders traditionally excluded from ARS planning processes including marginalized communities, eliciting and sharing mental models of the food system and providing an environment that will give them the power to contribute to the LTAR Agro-Innovation system. Refining stakeholder engagement processes will enable LTAR to stay relevant to their stakeholder base and stay at the forefront of aspirational sustainable intensification research.