Transformations in the Midwest landscape through perennial agriculture
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Integrating perennial crops into working lands is proposed as one strategy to support ecologically-friendly farming practices that benefit farmer livelihoods and healthy lands. However, transitioning into perennial practices must occur in an agricultural regime that increasingly prioritizes the cultivation of a few annual crops on a very large scale. These agricultural practices benefit from institutional support and mechanisms that rarely extend to perennial crops. Accordingly, growers who wish to adopt perennial crops as a livelihood strategy are required to innovate, assemble resources, and strategize to meet their objectives. This study uses spatial autocorrelation methods, semi-structured interviews, and a survey to explore current trends and perennial cropping practices in the US. The interviews and survey use American elderberry (Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis) production to understand growers' values, motivations, and challenges they experience with elderberry production. Results from these studies are intended to provide guidance on optimizing strategies for targeting technical assistance, policy, programs, and provide a deeper understanding of the various capitals and resources that growers use and need to maintain and enhance production. Addressing these knowledge gaps will hopefully improve the efficacy of perennial agriculture as a viable livelihood strategy that continues to spread through US working lan
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Ph. D.