The current western agrifood system is highly successful in providing for human needs. However, the dominant agricultural approach of up-scaling and specialisation is put under pressure by a number of developments in the global landscape. Global developments such as population growth, pollution, soil degradation and climate change, in which agriculture plays a crucial role, make the need for a transition towards a paradigm with a broader range of values evident. Niche initiatives often develop as a reaction to needs not fulfilled by the regime. Therefore, certain niches may have the potential of driving a necessary transition. This research aims to determine if permaculture, being a niche, has this potential. The main question for this research was formulated as follows: How can a production system based on permaculture principles contribute to the agrifood transition? To answer this question, relevant current trends and global developments were used as a basis for developing a future scenario. Empirical qualitative data on permaculture businesses in the Netherlands was gathered as well, of which the results were used for a determination of permaculture’s performance in this future scenario. This was done by comparing a standardised permaculture system with a conventional potato system. As a result of this comparison, the Unique Selling Points of permaculture were identified, which determine the future potential of permaculture.
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The symposium 'Inclusion Hands On' took place on April 8, 2021. Due to COVID-19, the program was completely digital. The day started with a plenary opening, and then various guests joined to start the conversation about inclusion in the AUAS. After that, 16 different workshops were offered; there were workshops on autism, on studying with care responsibility, on academic language use,but also workshops on colonialism in educational materials and color awareness in education. Reporters were recruited to observe the workshops and write a short report. All participants were asked to complete a short survey. After the symposium, the results of the surveys were shared with the reporters; they were able to supplement their own report with the results of the survey. All results were analyzed and incorporated into the research report. Some interesting conclusions have been drawn and advice formulated to promote inclusion at the AUAS.
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This is the third episode of Art in Permacrisis, a podcast on the organization of art workers in the face of the ever-growing stack of crises. How can artists make a living without selling their souls? Can we imagine and practice a sustainable art economy beyond precarity? How should we transform the circulation of artworks, the curriculum of art and design academies, the exhibition programs of museums, and the organization of collectives and unions? We invite speakers with combined backgrounds in art, theory, and organizing to share their insights.In this episode, we talk to Katja Praznik. Katja is an associate professor at the University at Buffalo’s Arts Management Program and the Department of Global Gender and Sexuality Studies. Our conversation focuses on her book, Art Work: Invisible Labour and the Legacy of Yugoslav Socialism as well as questions of strategy and the future of work in the arts.
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