Teaching Organic Farming and Gardening

Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems

Unit 3.4 | 13

G. Summary and Conclusion: How Do We Promote Sustainability in the Agriculture and
Food System?

1. To be effective, any effort has to understand the complexities of agriculture: It is framed by
   economic, social, and biological processes. All three need to be taken into account.


2. Effective social change generally includes oppositional and alternative efforts: Evolving
   reforms and promoting a revolutionary vision at the same time


3. Modern agriculture has been shaped directly by the advance of capitalist social
   relations and the application of science and technology to production practices.
   Behind these forces are a whole range of social forces. Policy reform is important, but
   ultimately, addressing these broader forces must be part of efforts to promote a more
   sustainable agriculture and food system.

Lecture 2 Outline