The illustration was made by designer Mariela Bontempi.
By B. Vizuete, M. Groß, M. García-Llorente, E. Oteros-Rozas, and B. Martín-López.
New farmers are showing us how to farm in a way that takes care of both the land and people. They are not just producing as much food as possible, but also protecting nature and building strong communities. Their way of producing food falls under the umbrella of “agroecology” and could be key to moving towards more sustainable food systems.
To understand how farmers’ values influence their farming practices, we interviewed 15 women who led agroecological farms in rural areas of Madrid, Spain. For them, farming is more than a job, it is a way to connect with nature, support their communities and care for the environment. Many of them spoke of feeling responsible for protecting the land and maintaining close ties with the people around them.
We observed that these women’s values are woven into their farming practices in different ways. In most cases, the economic benefits of farming are deeply connected to their environmental and social responsibility.
This study highlights the importance of understanding and supporting the values of new farmers to advance and accelerate the transition to more sustainable food systems. Their approach, based on caring for nature and people, can guide us toward better policies that protect biodiversity and foster strong communities.
Relational Thinking 