We review here the findings from an empirical study of yield ratios between plant and animal foods grown organically compared to either conventional or low-input peasant farming methods. Our 2007 study demonstrated that organic yields were sufficiently large, in principle, to provide much of the global food supply in terms of calories across all major food groups. Publication of the study encountered strong opposition from reviewers as well as support. Once published, the findings were widely cited and well received by practitioners of sustainable agriculture and agroecologists. Several follow-up studies using larger datasets and newer analytical methods found yield ratios (yield gaps) similar to or somewhat larger than ours. Most of these studies also concluded that organic production methods could make a major contribution to the global food supply. In a food-system context, organic production could also contribute to carbon sequestration and maintenance of native biodiversity, particularly if less land were devoted to growing livestock feed or crops for biofuels, and if less food were wasted. Organic agriculture is often more profitable for farmers, boosts rural employment, and improves social connections among farmers and between farmers and consumers. Together, these elements contribute to the kind of food system that simultaneously serves people and nature.

This study expands agro-sociological research on public perceptions of biodegradable plastic mulch by addressing three questions posed to direct-market and indirect-market shoppers in northwest Washington: (1) What is their general knowledge of plastic mulching practices? (2) What are their perspectives on soil-biodegradable plastic mulch (BDM) fragments in agricultural fields? and (3) Do they prefer biodegradable options over non-biodegradable plastics in agriculture? Rapid market assessments (RMAs) and semi-structured interviews incorporating photo elicitation were conducted at a farmers’ market and a bargain-market grocery store in Bellingham, Washington. RMAs (n = 102; 51 per location) and semi-structured interviews (n = 14) captured variation between direct- and indirect-market shoppers. Overall, most direct- and indirect-market shoppers participating in the RMAs did not associate plastic use with growing produce or view it as essential to modern agriculture. Interview participants were generally aware of non-biodegradable polyethylene (PE) mulch but were unfamiliar with BDMs. Once they learned that BDMs are designed to break down in soil through microbial activity, they expressed a clear preference for them. Although RMA results indicated that participants prefer neat-looking fields, interviewees expressed greater willingness to purchase produce grown with BDMs rather than PE mulch. Additionally, shoppers participating in interviews expressed a willingness to pay a price premium for produce grown with BDMs. Interview discussions revealed that consumer education—through signage, labeling, or other outreach—is critical to building awareness and acceptance of soil-biodegradable alternatives in agriculture.

Fall- and spring-seeded cover crops are commonly used by organic no-till practitioners, but spring-seeded mixtures have not been as widely studied, particularly regarding their management under short growing periods in cool-climate regions. This study evaluated the short-term effects of spring-seeded cover crop termination methods and organic fertilization rates on subsequent crop yields and soil mineral nitrogen (N) dynamics on a clay loam soil in Quebec, Canada. In both years (2022–2023), a spring-seeded cover crop mixture was terminated in mid-summer, and then a vegetable crop was transplanted and fertilized at three different rates. Cover crop termination methods consisted of roller-crimping (ROLL), flail mowing and tarping (TARP), flail mowing and disking (DISK), and a fallow control without cover crops (CTRL). The combination of pelletized composted poultry manure and blood meal was applied at three rates (0% N, 50% N, and 100% N) during the production of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) in 2022 and beetroot (Beta vulgaris var. esculenta) in 2023. In 2022, field peas (Pisum sativum L.)-oats (Avena sativa L.) produced an average of 2.9 Mg DM ha−1, whereas the aboveground biomass of field peas-faba beans (Vicia faba L.) in 2023 yielded about 2.3 Mg DM ha−1. Flail mowing and tarping (TARP) increased total broccoli and beetroot yields by 38% and 44%, respectively, compared to roller-crimping, likely due to N availability rather than weed competition. Soil mineral N after tarp removal in 2023 was up to twice as great in the fully fertilized TARP treatment compared to other treatments. Vegetable N uptake, particularly in broccoli, was the lowest in the ROLL treatment, indicating a strong connection between plant N uptake and yields. Termination was performed at a phenological stage that was too early, resulting in low effectiveness of the roller-crimper. Interestingly, the TARP and DISK treatments produced comparable yields. Overall, cover crops could not compensate for reduced fertilizer inputs, which is further supported by the lack of termination method × fertilization rate interactions. Limited cover crop biomass production due to the short growing period resulted in minimal yield differences between treatments with cover crops and the CTRL treatment. Although this study was limited to a single field in Quebec, it shows that tarping may be a better option for organic vegetable growers, as it facilitates the termination of cover crops without tillage compared to roller-crimping.

Developing food-waste-based hydroponic fertilizers (FWBHF) addresses growing urban sprawl and the growing adoption of urban horticulture, improving nutrient cycling and sustainability in our food production systems. This study profiles plant-available nutrients across a range of food products, divided into three main groups (protein-rich, carbohydrate-rich, and fiber-rich) after exposure to anaerobic and aerobic fermentation and vermicompost techniques. Leachates were analyzed for inorganic nutrients and heavy metals to compare with a conventional synthetic hydroponic fertilizer. Key findings identified deficiencies in nitrogen and calcium across all treatments. Nutrient availability in the protein-rich group (beef and chicken) was consistent across both aerobic and anaerobic treatments, with the exception of aerobic fermentation producing a significantly higher level of phosphorus and potassium compared to the control. This was contradicted by the high variation between treatments in the carbohydrate-rich group (pasta and bread), which often produced contradicting nutrient outcomes in the same treatment group, this was attributed to differences in wheat varieties and value-added processes affecting the inorganic nutrient availability in this group. The vermicompost leachate, vermiliquer, contained statistically similar levels of potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc when compared to the control, but was significantly deficient in nitrogen, calcium, and sulfur. Despite this, it was identified as a potential ‘all-in-one’ solution, being low in heavy metals, elemental toxicity, and odorless when compared to fermentation treatments. These results aim to assist future developments in FWBHF by profiling inorganic nutrient availability across food groups when exposed to vermicomposting and aerobic/anaerobic fermentation techniques.

Urban farming has expanded nationwide, offering environmental and economic sustainability while providing food sovereignty to underserved communities. However, urban farming poses unique challenges that conventional farmers often do not face. These farms typically grow a diversity of crops, many of which are dependent on insect pollination. While some farmers utilize honey bees for pollination, attracting wild bees with pollinator-supportive practices can also provide adequate crop pollination. Implementation of management strategies that support pollinators can be influenced by farm and grower characteristics. In this study, we surveyed 74 urban growers and evaluated the influence of grower characteristics, such as grower demographics, perception, motivation, resource use and accessibility, and source of educational information, on the implementation of eight commonly used pollinator management strategies and overall farm richness. We also described grower and farm characteristics and the use frequency of various educational sources. Overall, the importance of pollinators on a farm (based on the proportion of high-pollinator-dependent crops grown) did not influence the use of pollinator management strategies by urban growers. Demographic variables (age, gender, farm income, education, years of agricultural experience) had no impact on grower decisions. Rather, growers were influenced most by information source, resource use and accessibility, perception, and motivation. Factors associated with educational source and resource use and accessibility had the greatest impact on pollinator management implementation and crop richness. Specifically, using educational resources to inform farm management practices, city policies, and manual labor impacted grower decision the most. The most popular sources of educational information were hard copy books and field guides, conversations with colleagues and other farmers, and online extension articles and non-profit organization resources. Our findings also suggested that urban growers may incorporate certain pollinator management practices more effectively when utilizing online materials rather than hard copy formats. Overall, this study highlights the need to create and provide more accessible educational materials and resources to urban growers. Historically, these growers have been underserved by agricultural educators; thus, it is critical to incorporate their unique needs and challenges when creating farmer resources related to pollinator management. By more effectively communicating the importance of insect crop pollinator management through educational tools, we can support more productive urban agricultural systems.

Agricultural research in North America has shifted across three paradigms in the last century. Each research paradigm has a different assumption of what the research and innovation process is, the expected outcome of the research, and the focus of change within an agroecosystem. Now research institutions and networks are in the process of shifting from the research paradigm of eco-technology, which prioritizes technology as a means for limiting the negative impacts of agriculture, to a transformative research paradigm. However, there is limited knowledge on how to support an intentional paradigm shift toward transformative research. This case study aims to identify the research capacities and characteristics of transformative research in agriculture using interviews with leaders in the Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) network. Semistructured interviews with 18 research leaders across the network reveal characteristics of transformative research and lock-ins that limit their ability to transform the research at their site. Four transformative research characteristics and capacities are identified, and lock-ins at different levels of the scientific system are identified that prevent transformative research from occurring. We propose stakeholder engagement as a tool to facilitate a paradigm shift in agricultural research. Tools for integrating stakeholder engagement within the research process are discussed, including stakeholder typologies and stakeholder engagement typologies. A focus on using stakeholder engagement as a means to create transformation by increasing a research site’s capacity includes facilitating stakeholder engagement that (1) supports systems-level innovation and social outcomes, (2) emphasizes research that fosters learning and adaptation processes, (3) incorporates multiple ways of knowing within research, and (4) increases perceived agency to create systems-level change. This research provides a methodology and tool for understanding how research paradigms shift and evolve.

Social scientists express concerns that perspectives on new genetic engineering techniques, such as gene editing, are becoming polarized and entrenched and that those entrenched positions could hinder the formation of alliances needed to make the new technologies available. Without such alliances, potential solutions to agronomic challenges, food security, climate change, improving nutrition, and reducing food waste may never be implemented. This paper explores whether these competing perspectives are as entrenched as they are often portrayed. Through intensive interviews, I ask German scientists to share their perspectives on the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling that gene edited crops would be regulated the same as transgenic crops. Using the concepts of techno-optimism and techno-pessimism to analyze those scientists’ perspectives, I discover that both techno-optimistic and techno-pessimistic scientists are generally less entrenched and more reflective when presented with competing perspectives. Furthermore, four of the scientists offer potential policies and practices that could resolve some disputes and could even overcome obstacles to promoting social and ecological benefits from the new technologies.

Few frameworks are currently available to assess the flows of ecosystem services (ESs) and disservices (EDSs) from and into livestock farming systems (LFSs). We estimated these flows using the Barn, a graphical tool designed to represent the integration of LFS into their surrounding landscapes. This tool uses bi-directional arrows to depict flows of multiple types of ES and EDS. Based on five contrasting lamb meat systems, we estimated that the flows of ES that support lamb meat production, such as the provision of forage and nitrogen fixation, were often associated with EDS, such as wolf predation or rodent outbreaks. These EDSs were particularly detrimental for the LFS that depended more on ES than on external inputs. We also observed that few operational indicators exist for quantifying EDS. The results show that deriving benefits from ecosystems implies interacting closely with the environment, which can generate disadvantages. This result also reveals a trade-off between ES and EDS, which has received little attention so far. This highlights the need to better assess and mitigate EDS, to prevent them from hindering the transition toward more sustainable practices that aim to reduce external inputs.

Organic vegetable production relies on ecologically based practices; however, insect pest management remains a major constraint, particularly in Brassica crops. Organic insecticides often provide inconsistent control, are expensive, and require repeated applications. Mesotunnels, medium-sized tunnels (0.9–1.0 m tall) covered with insect netting, have emerged as a pest management tool for organic vegetable growers. They function as physical barriers that exclude pests while maintaining near-ambient microclimatic conditions. This two-year field study was conducted during the fall growing seasons of 2024 and 2025 on certified organic land at Iowa State University Horticulture Research Station in Ames, Iowa, to evaluate the effectiveness of mesotunnels for pest management and season extension in organic napa cabbage (Brassica rapa var. pekinensis cv. ‘Minuet’). Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications: (i) Mesotunnel, (ii) Mesotunnel + OMRI-listed insecticide, (iii) OMRI-listed insecticide (pyrethrins, Bacillus thuringiensis, and potassium salts of fatty acids), (iv) Low tunnel, and (v) an untreated control. Weekly pest scouting quantified the abundance of key Brassicaceae pests, including caterpillars, flea beetles, harlequin bugs, and aphids. Microclimate variables, including temperature and relative humidity, were continuously monitored at canopy height within each treatment. Marketable and nonmarketable yield were assessed at harvest using USDA commercial grading standards. Across both years, mesotunnel-based treatments consistently reduced insect abundance and produced the greatest number and weight of marketable napa cabbage heads relative to the control. Mesotunnels also advanced crop maturity, resulting in a higher proportion of marketable heads at the first harvest compared with open-field conditions. This is likely associated with modified microclimatic conditions that supported vegetative growth and reduced pest pressure. These findings demonstrate that mesotunnels provide an effective, non-chemical pest management strategy that enhances yield and reduces reliance on organic insecticides in organic napa cabbage production systems.

Wild bees in agricultural landscapes face multiple stressors, including habitat loss and pesticide exposure. As demand for sustainably produced agricultural products increases, it is essential to understand how sustainable practices influence wild bee communities. Bee responses to such practices were assessed across 26 vineyards in Canada over 2 years. Wild bees were sampled alongside vegetation and floral resources to evaluate the effects of cover cropping, mowing frequency, alternate row management, organic farming, and certified sustainable management on bee abundance, diversity, and community composition. Vegetation height between vine rows was the strongest positive predictor of both bee abundance and diversity, while vegetation cover and floral abundance also had positive associations. A higher proportion of flowers from cover crop species was negatively associated with bee abundance, specifically for pan-trap collected bees. Alternate row and organic management had limited effects on bee abundance and diversity, while certified sustainable management showed a slight negative impact on bee diversity, as well as reduced floral richness and vegetation height. Community composition analyses revealed that both the bee communities and flower communities differed between vineyard management types, though the use of cover cropping and alternate row management did not differ between organic, certified sustainable, and conventional sites. These findings suggest that reduced mowing frequency may be an effective strategy for supporting wild bees, while other sustainable practices, such as cover cropping, organic farming, and certified sustainable management, may require enhanced research approaches to detect effects or further refinements to improve their conservation outcomes.

Algae feed supplements, often in the form of seaweed, show promise for reducing enteric methane emissions from dairy cows. Organic dairy farmers also use algae feed supplements as a nutritional supplement and to treat health problems of dairy cows, given that organic certification prohibits the use of many synthetics available to conventional dairy farmers. Measuring the health and nutrition claims of organic dairy farmers regarding algae feed supplements and comparing the claims with perceptions of dairy nutritionists and the findings in the scientific literature can provide useful findings for assessing whether algae feed supplements would be useful for farmers of all types, where appropriate. Through surveys and bibliometric analysis, we examined how organic dairy farmers, dairy nutritionists, and academic literature perceive these supplements. We found strong positive correlations between academic literature and nutritionist perceptions, and between farmer and nutritionist perceptions. Farmers and nutritionists overlapped regarding the nutritional benefits (source of vitamins and minerals) of algae feed supplements. But farmers cited direct health or therapeutic benefits (e.g., treating pink-eye) more often than nutritionists did, and nutritionists were more likely to cite methane reduction as an outcome of feeding algae. Notably, we found no significant correlation between academic literature and farmer perceptions, indicating that organic dairy farmers’ opinions might be shaped by hard to measure and validate observation and experiential knowledge.

Agricultural land in many countries is increasingly leased. This shift presents a unique set of challenges for decision-makers in the context of the European green transition. The objective of the present paper is to explore how agricultural land management and production differ based on whether land is owner-operated or leased and to understand the impacts of these dynamics on food system resilience and sustainability. Harnessing the high level of detailed field data for 2.5 million hectares and accurate land ownership records in Denmark, the present paper explores field-scale agricultural land use differences by tenure across broad categories (e.g., agroforestry, permanent grasses), and within crop rotations (based on distinct crop categories over 7 years, e.g., wheat, legumes, intercropping). Across broad categories, a higher proportion of owned land was utilized for forestry, agroforestry, and energy forestry, whereas a higher proportion of leased land was managed under environmental policies (low-input managed fields such as set aside buffer zones, flower strips, and mini wetlands). Most agricultural land is managed in rotation (approximately 70%). The average length of crop rotations was similar between owned and leased land. The crop categories included in rotation also varied little for legumes and intercrops, with marginally more maize, vegetables, and rye grown on leased land and marginally more environmental, mixed cereals and barley on owned land. Future research exploring how ownership, policy initiatives, and decision-making interact with farm-scale variables, detailed soil maps, and agricultural and natural land use decisions at various landscape scales could further the European transition toward sustainable and resilient agricultural land use and food systems.

This commentary describes advances in knowledge over the past decade on how incorporating relatively small amounts of perennial vegetation at targeted locations in agricultural landscapes can lead to substantial, disproportionately large ecosystem benefits. We highlight research demonstrating the potential for perennial vegetation within agricultural landscapes to sustain crucial ecosystem services—including regulating water, carbon, and nutrient cycles and supporting biotic interactions—while simultaneously provisioning food, fiber, and energy. We also discuss several emerging frontiers where new research is leading to a deeper understanding of how to target perennial-based practices and policies to achieve desired outcomes. We emphasize scientific and technological advances for improving the design of perennial integration, support tools for practitioners, perennial crop and livelihood diversification, and transdisciplinary approaches for co-generation of knowledge and application. Finally, we call for increased action, including research, education, stakeholder engagement, and policy development, toward strategic integration of perennials in agroecosystems.

Food loss remains a major challenge for sustainable food systems, contributing to food insecurity and climate change. In Africa, smallholder farmers lose up to 40% of their produce postharvest. While most interventions focus on reducing losses early in the value chain, repurposing deteriorated produce into alternative socioeconomic uses offers a complementary and under-explored pathway. In smallholder farming systems, repurposing commonly involves converting deteriorated produce into livestock feed, compost, biochar, or other productive uses. However, such practices remain limited, with deteriorated produce often discarded without consideration of alternative uses. Drawing on circular economy and food waste valorization perspectives, this study explores the underlying socioeconomic and agricultural-related conditions that shape farmers’ participation in food waste revalorization. Using cross-sectional survey data from 1,001 smallholder vegetable farmers in Ghana, we employ binary logistic regression to identify the determinants of food waste repurposing. Results show that gender, land access, wealth, credit access, and livelihood diversification significantly influence repurposing decisions. Farm-level factors, including crop type, yield, food loss levels, access to agricultural advisory services, market distance, and prior adoption of sustainable land management practices, also significantly predict repurposing. These findings highlight the importance of socioeconomic capacity and access to resources in shaping engagement in circular food waste revalorization. This contribution further demonstrates how logistical constraints and gaps in technical know-how shape the end use of deteriorated produce. Food waste revalorization initiatives will benefit from targeted investments in extension services, training, credit access, and broader promotion of sustainable farming practices.

Agroecological systems aim to mimic natural ecosystems by promoting interactions between plants and animals, creating synergies that enhance productivity, resilience, and sustainability. However, most crop-livestock systems focus on cereals or forage crops with ruminants, while other associations, particularly involving uncommon livestock species, remain rare. To address this knowledge gap, this proof-of-concept study evaluated the benefits and limitations of a novel rabbit–apple association for both plants and animals. To assess the benefits of trees for rabbits, 72 growing rabbits were placed in an apple orchard (AO) and 72 in a grassland (GL). These benefits were measured in terms of alternative feed sources (apples and grass), a milder microclimate (shade), protection from aerial predators, and health and welfare indicators. Rabbits in the AO accessed a greater diversity of feed sources, reducing pelleted feed intake by 4.7% compared with rabbits in the GL. Apple trees provided shade, lowering the daily thermal amplitude by 1.5 °C compared to the GL. Under these conditions, rabbits exhibited adequate growth (average live weight 2.4 kg at 73 days) and maintained good health. Only one rabbit died from myxomatosis, and no predation occurred. The benefits of rabbits for the trees were assessed in two areas of the AO, with rabbits (n = 215 trees) and without rabbits (n = 55 trees). These assessments included measures of soil mineral fertility and the consumption of grass and fallen fruit. Areas with rabbits had 29.6% more potassium content in the soil than in areas without rabbits. Daily consumption of grass (54 g of dry matter per rabbit) and fallen apples (up to 230 g per rabbit), combined with the improvement of soil minerals, may reduce the need for fertilizers and mechanical weeding. Despite tree guards, 16.3% of trees exposed to rabbits showed some damage, mainly due to poorly fitted guards or the size of rabbits allowing animals to gnaw above the guard. Properly designed protection can mitigate this risk, which remains lower than damage caused by other livestock species. In summary, this proof-of-concept study highlights the potential of integrating rabbit and apple production within the same production area. The observed mutual benefits suggest this approach could contribute to more sustainable farming. Further research is needed to confirm these results in the long-term, and optimizing management practices may address the observed limitations.

Diversified farming systems enhance agroecological resilience, biodiversity conservation, and climate adaptation, yet their adoption remains constrained by uncertain market access and weak supply chain linkages. While consumer demand for sustainably produced foods continues growing, the role of supply chain intermediaries in transmitting (or blocking) market signals that create opportunities for diversified farms remains poorly understood. This study identifies how procurement managers’ preferences for food labels predict their sourcing behavior for fresh market specialty crops. Using survey data from 378 purchasing managers, we applied principal component analysis to identify two underlying dimensions of buyer preferences toward 15 certified and non-certified food labels: Practice-Based Labels emphasizing production transparency and Credence-Based Labels prioritizing third-party verification. Cluster analysis identified three distinct buyer segments. Label Advocates (27%, predominantly wholesalers) require both label dimensions at high rates and source from diversified farms most frequently. Market-Driven Buyers (34%, mixed wholesalers and restaurants) prioritize established certifications and show moderate diversified farm sourcing. Skeptics (39%, predominantly restaurants) demonstrate minimal label engagement and the lowest diversified farm sourcing. Results indicate that label preferences predict actual procurement behavior: buyers valuing sustainability labels actively source from diversified operations and perceive these products as core to their portfolios. These findings offer strategic pathways for farmers to target Label Advocates through transparent sustainability narratives or Market-Driven Buyers through third-party certifications. Our findings help inform policy interventions addressing certification costs and supply chain coordination to expand markets for diversified agriculture. By revealing how intermediary buyers’ sustainability preferences translate into actual procurement decisions, this research identifies actionable pathways for strengthening market incentives that support transitions toward diversified, resilient agricultural systems.

Crop diversification plays a central role in agricultural sustainability transitions, which require not only ecological innovation but also economic viability at the farm level. Despite robust evidence of ecological benefits, the socioeconomic implications of diversification remain insufficiently examined. This study analyzes the economic performance of crop diversification and community-supported agriculture (CSA) schemes in small-scale horticultural systems in Northern Patagonia, Argentina. Drawing on detailed production and marketing data from three farms and using a participatory action research (PAR) approach, we simulated farm performance with the Profit Impact Simulator for Horticultural Farms, a framework that calculates profitability based on the temporal dynamics of cash flow.

We modeled three crop portfolio scenarios—a highly diversified system (BES1, 35 crops), a moderately diversified system (BES2, 6 crops), and a low-diversity system (BES3, 3 crops)—and identified a systematic diversification gradient: profit rates decline from 409% (BES1) to 347% (BES2) to 239% (BES3). This gradient is driven not by differences in end-of-cycle revenues but by the temporal structure of cash flows each portfolio generates: in highly diversified systems, short-cycle crops generate early income that offsets the financing needs of longer-cycle crops, reducing committed capital and increasing capital efficiency.

CSA participation further improved financial viability, reducing committed capital by 24% and raising the profit rate from 409% to 519%. These findings suggest that diversification and consumer-based financing are complementary strategies that enhance liquidity stability and reduce dependence on external credit, with important implications for smallholder economic sustainability and sustainable food system transitions.

With the introduction of an undergraduate degree in 2017, the University of Vermont became the first land grant university to offer an interdisciplinary Food Systems degree at the undergraduate, master’s, and PhD level. By many metrics, food systems education at University of Vermont has flourished over the past decade, but opportunities remain to fully implement a transdisciplinary program for the future. In this paper, we reflect on our collective efforts to achieve interdisciplinarity within the food systems curriculum and take stock of the core strengths of our undergraduate programming. Based on lessons learned from a decade of food systems education at University of Vermont, this paper will look ahead to propose a vision for preparing future undergraduates for meaningful employment in the sustainable food system economy. To achieve this, we conduct a mixed methods case study which analyzes administrative data alongside insights gathered from students, alumni, and faculty to identify program strengths and key inputs needed to facilitate impactful career paths for food systems graduates in the coming decade. While early aspirations for our programs to ‘do it all’ were not fully realized, a set of key strengths relevant to our local and regional food economy have emerged, providing opportunities to offer students high-quality training and prepare them for impactful careers.