The Good Farmer

"A brilliant summation of twenty years of 'good farmer' scholarship, the volume retraces paths taken while pointing to terrain missed. The book offers a rich exploration into how moral identities are created and maintained among and between food producers. It is sure to become a key text among agrifood and rural studies scholars." — Michael S. Carolan, Colorado State University, and Fulbright Distinguished Research Chair at University of Ottawa, Canada

"The book not only invites us to go beyond the normative connotation of the 'good farmer’ but to engage in a theoretical informed, critical reflection on how the concept is being used by various groups. It is also a very timely reminder that to build sustainable food systems, we need to better understand the cultural dimension of agricultural practices." — Ika Darnhofer, BOKU, Vienna, Austria

"This outstanding collection brings together the leading scholars who have developed and applied the concept of the ‘good farmer’. It provides a rich and timely summary of work to date and nuanced examples of exciting new thinking and future trajectories. This book will be a much-valued addition not only to the shelves of social scientists, but anyone looking for a richer understanding of the dynamics of agriculture and rural change." — Mark Riley, Liverpool University, United Kingdom

"For fifteen years, the idea of the ‘good farmer’ has rapidly emerged as one of the most useful concepts in rural sociology and agrifood scholarship, yet it has never been subjected to a comprehensive theorisation and review. That moment has arrived. This book provides comprehensive and engaging insights by four of the leading scholars using this concept. The result is a benchmark work that will help establish the idea of the ‘good farmer’ as a foundational concept in rural sociology, geography, anthropology and agrifood studies." — Hugh Campbell, University of Otago, New Zealand

"A brilliant summation of twenty years of 'good farmer' scholarship, the volume retraces paths taken while pointing to terrain missed. The book offers a rich exploration into how moral identities are created and maintained among and between food producers. It is sure to become a key text among agrifood and rural studies scholars." — Michael S. Carolan, Colorado State University, and Fulbright Distinguished Research Chair at University of Ottawa, Canada

"The book not only invites us to go beyond the normative connotation of the 'good farmer’ but to engage in a theoretical informed, critical reflection on how the concept is being used by various groups. It is also a very timely reminder that to build sustainable food systems, we need to better understand the cultural dimension of agricultural practices." — Ika Darnhofer, BOKU, Vienna, Austria

"This outstanding collection brings together the leading scholars who have developed and applied the concept of the ‘good farmer’. It provides a rich and timely summary of work to date and nuanced examples of exciting new thinking and future trajectories. This book will be a much-valued addition not only to the shelves of social scientists, but anyone looking for a richer understanding of the dynamics of agriculture and rural change." — Mark Riley, Liverpool University, United Kingdom

"For fifteen years, the idea of the ‘good farmer’ has rapidly emerged as one of the most useful concepts in rural sociology and agrifood scholarship, yet it has never been subjected to a comprehensive theorisation and review. That moment has arrived. This book provides comprehensive and engaging insights by four of the leading scholars using this concept. The result is a benchmark work that will help establish the idea of the ‘good farmer’ as a foundational concept in rural sociology, geography, anthropology and agrifood studies." — Hugh Campbell, University of Otago, New Zealand