The term agroecology is used mainly to describe an approach “emphasising ecological
principles and practices in the design and management of agroecosystems, one that
integrates the long-term protection of natural resources as an element of food, fuel and fibre
production” (Lampkin et al., 2015, P9).
Agroecological approaches in farming can make a major contribution to the sustainable
intensification of agriculture in the UK (APPG Agroecology)1, but in the policy context of the
UK, there is no specific framework for ‘agroecology’, although some practices (for example
organic farming) are supported under the Rural Development Programmes.
We undertook a social science study aiming to explore how farmers make and experience
their own personal transition from conventional agriculture to farming using agroecological
practices and to draw some conclusions on how such transitions can be supported.
