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Adaptation and sustainability: Lessons from Central Coast organic farmers during the pandemic

California Agriculture > Early View  > research article 

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Authors

Joanna Ory, University of California, Berkeley
Alastair T. Iles, University of California, Berkeley
Patrick Baur, The University of Rhode Island
Federico Castillo, University of California, Berkeley

Publication Information

California Agriculture. https://doi.org/10.3733/ca.2023a0017

Published online November 30, 2023

PDF  |  PDF + supporting material  |  Citation  |  Permissions

Author Affiliations show

Abstract

The challenges faced by organic vegetable farmers in California during the COVID-19 pandemic included uncertainty about food safety rules and best practices, availability of workers, and significant changes to their markets. When the pandemic began, we built on an ongoing interdisciplinary research project with organic vegetable farmers on the California Central Coast to track how those growers adapted to the crisis. We conducted surveys in April 2020 and January 2021 to determine impacts on farmers and how farm size, market channels, and management strategies influenced a farm's ability to adapt to and recover from pandemic-induced disruptions. We found that mid-sized farmers with flexible and diverse marketing channels could navigate changes from the pandemic with minimal losses and, in some cases, economic gains. By contrast, smaller farmers with limited resources, especially those with disadvantaged backgrounds and limited access to technology, experienced more drastic impacts, including lost markets, labor shortages, and increased childcare needs. The lessons learned can inform a transition toward more sustainable, resilient agroecological systems.

Full text

Full text is available in PDF.

Supporting material

Supplemental material
Survey questions

References

Allington A. Farms could see shortage of protective gear amid Covid-19 needs. Bloomberg Law 2020. March 26. https://news.bloomberglaw.com/daily-labor-report/farms-could-see-shortage-of-protective-gear-amid-covid-19-needs

Berkes F. Understanding uncertainty and reducing vulnerability: Lessons from resilience thinking. Nat Hazards. 2007. 41:283-95. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-006-9036-7

Calo A, McKee A, Perrin C, et al. Achieving food system resilience requires challenging dominant land property regimes. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. 2021. 5:683544- https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2021.683544

Carlisle L, Esquivel KE, Baur P, et al. Organic farmers face persistent barriers to adopting diversification practices in California's Central Coast. Agroecol Sust Food 2022. https://doi.org/10.1080/21683565.2022.2104420

[CDFA] California Department of Agriculture. California Agricultural Statistic Review 2020–2021. California Department of Agriculture 2021. www.cdfa.ca.gov/Statistics/PDFs/2021_Ag_Stats_Review.pdf

County of Santa Cruz. 2021 Crop Report 2021. www.agdept.com/Portals/10/pdf/Final%20Online%20-%202021%20Crop%20Report.pdf?ver=l87OElCLz3q_RcQe8X6GZw%3D%3D

Darnhofer I. Strategies of family farms to strengthen their resilience. Environ Policy Gov. 2010. 20(4):212-22. https://doi.org/10.1002/eet.547

Darnhofer I, Lamine C, Strauss A, Navarrete M. The resilience of family farms: Towards a relational approach. J Rural Stud. 2016. 44:111-22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2016.01.013

Darnhofer I. Farm resilience in the face of the unexpected: Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic. Agr Hum Values. 2020. 37(3):605-6. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10460-020-10053-5

Durant J, Asprooth L, Galt R, et al. Farm resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic: The case of California direct market farmers. Agr Syst. 2023. 204:103532- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2022.103532

Esquivel KE, Carlisle L, Ke A, et al. The “sweet spot” in the middle: Why do mid-scale farms adopt diversification practices at higher rates?. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems 2021. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2021.734088

Goldy R., McGarry J., Tritten B. How food purchasing changed in 2020 - Did we get it right?. Michigan State University Extension 2020. Nov. 20, 2020. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/how-might-covid-19-change-food-purchases-this-summer

Guthman J. Raising organic: An agro-ecological assessment of grower practices in California. Agr Hum Values 1. 2000. 7(3):257-66. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007688216321

Knight V. Without federal protections, farm workers risk coronavirus infection to harvest crop. 2020. NPR. August 8. www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/08/08/900220260/without-federal-protections-farm-workers-risk-coronavirus-infection-to-harvest-c

Kremen C, Miles A. Ecosystem services in biologically diversified versus conventional farming systems: Benefits, externalities, and trade-offs. Ecol Soc. 2012. 17(4): https://doi.org/10.5751/es-05035-170440

Liebert J, Benner R, Bezner Kerr R, et al. Farm size affects the use of agroecological practices on organic farms in the United States. Nat Plants. 2022. 8:897905- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41477-022-01191-1

Mora A, Lewnard J, Rauch S, et al. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on California farmworkers' mental health and food security. J Agromedicine. 2022. 27(3):303-14. https://doi.org/10.1080/1059924X.2022.2058664

Mastronardi L, Cavallo A, Romagnoli L. How did Italian diversified farms tackle Covid-19 pandemic first wave challenges? Socio Econ Plan Sci 92 Part A:101096 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seps.2021.101096

Perrin A, Milestad R, Martin G. Resilience applied to farming: Organic farmers' perspectives. Ecol Society. 2020. 25(4):5- https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-11897-250405

Petersen-Rockney M, Baur P, Guzman A, et al. Narrow and brittle or broad and nimble? Comparing adaptive capacity in simplifying and diversifying farming systems. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. 2021. 5: https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2021.564900

Tamburini G, Bommarco R, Wanger TC, et al. Agricultural diversification promotes multiple ecosystem services without compromising yield. Science Advances. 2020. 6(45):eaba1715- https://doi:10.1126/sciadv.aba1715

Thilmany D, Canales E., Low SA, Boys K. Local food supply chain dynamics and resilience during COVID-19. Appl Econ Perspect P. 2020. 43(1):86-104. https://doi.org/10.1002/aepp.13121

Tscharntke T, Grass I, Wanger TC, et al. Beyond organic farming - Harnessing biodiversity-friendly landscapes. Trends Ecol Evol. 2021. 36(10):919-30. https://doi:10.1016/j.tree.2021.06.010

[USDA] United Stated Department of Agriculture. USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2017 Census of Agriculture 2017. www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2017/index.php

Adaptation and sustainability: Lessons from Central Coast organic farmers during the pandemic

Joanna Ory, Alastair T. Iles, Patrick Baur, Federico Castillo
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Adaptation and sustainability: Lessons from Central Coast organic farmers during the pandemic

California Agriculture > Early View  > research article 

< Previous | Table of Contents  

< Previous | Table of Contents  

Share using any of the popular social networks Share by sending an email Print article
Share using any of the popular social networks Share by sending an email Print article

Authors

Joanna Ory, University of California, Berkeley
Alastair T. Iles, University of California, Berkeley
Patrick Baur, The University of Rhode Island
Federico Castillo, University of California, Berkeley

Publication Information

California Agriculture. https://doi.org/10.3733/ca.2023a0017

Published online November 30, 2023

PDF  |  PDF + supporting material  |  Citation  |  Permissions

Author Affiliations show

Abstract

The challenges faced by organic vegetable farmers in California during the COVID-19 pandemic included uncertainty about food safety rules and best practices, availability of workers, and significant changes to their markets. When the pandemic began, we built on an ongoing interdisciplinary research project with organic vegetable farmers on the California Central Coast to track how those growers adapted to the crisis. We conducted surveys in April 2020 and January 2021 to determine impacts on farmers and how farm size, market channels, and management strategies influenced a farm's ability to adapt to and recover from pandemic-induced disruptions. We found that mid-sized farmers with flexible and diverse marketing channels could navigate changes from the pandemic with minimal losses and, in some cases, economic gains. By contrast, smaller farmers with limited resources, especially those with disadvantaged backgrounds and limited access to technology, experienced more drastic impacts, including lost markets, labor shortages, and increased childcare needs. The lessons learned can inform a transition toward more sustainable, resilient agroecological systems.

Full text

Full text is available in PDF.

Supporting material

Supplemental material
Survey questions

References

Allington A. Farms could see shortage of protective gear amid Covid-19 needs. Bloomberg Law 2020. March 26. https://news.bloomberglaw.com/daily-labor-report/farms-could-see-shortage-of-protective-gear-amid-covid-19-needs

Berkes F. Understanding uncertainty and reducing vulnerability: Lessons from resilience thinking. Nat Hazards. 2007. 41:283-95. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-006-9036-7

Calo A, McKee A, Perrin C, et al. Achieving food system resilience requires challenging dominant land property regimes. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. 2021. 5:683544- https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2021.683544

Carlisle L, Esquivel KE, Baur P, et al. Organic farmers face persistent barriers to adopting diversification practices in California's Central Coast. Agroecol Sust Food 2022. https://doi.org/10.1080/21683565.2022.2104420

[CDFA] California Department of Agriculture. California Agricultural Statistic Review 2020–2021. California Department of Agriculture 2021. www.cdfa.ca.gov/Statistics/PDFs/2021_Ag_Stats_Review.pdf

County of Santa Cruz. 2021 Crop Report 2021. www.agdept.com/Portals/10/pdf/Final%20Online%20-%202021%20Crop%20Report.pdf?ver=l87OElCLz3q_RcQe8X6GZw%3D%3D

Darnhofer I. Strategies of family farms to strengthen their resilience. Environ Policy Gov. 2010. 20(4):212-22. https://doi.org/10.1002/eet.547

Darnhofer I, Lamine C, Strauss A, Navarrete M. The resilience of family farms: Towards a relational approach. J Rural Stud. 2016. 44:111-22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2016.01.013

Darnhofer I. Farm resilience in the face of the unexpected: Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic. Agr Hum Values. 2020. 37(3):605-6. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10460-020-10053-5

Durant J, Asprooth L, Galt R, et al. Farm resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic: The case of California direct market farmers. Agr Syst. 2023. 204:103532- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2022.103532

Esquivel KE, Carlisle L, Ke A, et al. The “sweet spot” in the middle: Why do mid-scale farms adopt diversification practices at higher rates?. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems 2021. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2021.734088

Goldy R., McGarry J., Tritten B. How food purchasing changed in 2020 - Did we get it right?. Michigan State University Extension 2020. Nov. 20, 2020. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/how-might-covid-19-change-food-purchases-this-summer

Guthman J. Raising organic: An agro-ecological assessment of grower practices in California. Agr Hum Values 1. 2000. 7(3):257-66. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007688216321

Knight V. Without federal protections, farm workers risk coronavirus infection to harvest crop. 2020. NPR. August 8. www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/08/08/900220260/without-federal-protections-farm-workers-risk-coronavirus-infection-to-harvest-c

Kremen C, Miles A. Ecosystem services in biologically diversified versus conventional farming systems: Benefits, externalities, and trade-offs. Ecol Soc. 2012. 17(4): https://doi.org/10.5751/es-05035-170440

Liebert J, Benner R, Bezner Kerr R, et al. Farm size affects the use of agroecological practices on organic farms in the United States. Nat Plants. 2022. 8:897905- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41477-022-01191-1

Mora A, Lewnard J, Rauch S, et al. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on California farmworkers' mental health and food security. J Agromedicine. 2022. 27(3):303-14. https://doi.org/10.1080/1059924X.2022.2058664

Mastronardi L, Cavallo A, Romagnoli L. How did Italian diversified farms tackle Covid-19 pandemic first wave challenges? Socio Econ Plan Sci 92 Part A:101096 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seps.2021.101096

Perrin A, Milestad R, Martin G. Resilience applied to farming: Organic farmers' perspectives. Ecol Society. 2020. 25(4):5- https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-11897-250405

Petersen-Rockney M, Baur P, Guzman A, et al. Narrow and brittle or broad and nimble? Comparing adaptive capacity in simplifying and diversifying farming systems. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. 2021. 5: https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2021.564900

Tamburini G, Bommarco R, Wanger TC, et al. Agricultural diversification promotes multiple ecosystem services without compromising yield. Science Advances. 2020. 6(45):eaba1715- https://doi:10.1126/sciadv.aba1715

Thilmany D, Canales E., Low SA, Boys K. Local food supply chain dynamics and resilience during COVID-19. Appl Econ Perspect P. 2020. 43(1):86-104. https://doi.org/10.1002/aepp.13121

Tscharntke T, Grass I, Wanger TC, et al. Beyond organic farming - Harnessing biodiversity-friendly landscapes. Trends Ecol Evol. 2021. 36(10):919-30. https://doi:10.1016/j.tree.2021.06.010

[USDA] United Stated Department of Agriculture. USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2017 Census of Agriculture 2017. www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2017/index.php

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