From livelihoods to labels. Assessing the contribution of organics to the sustainability of small family farming with participatory multi-criteria indicators in a community of Brazil

Production and trade of certified organic foods and agricultural commodities are rapidly expanding worldwide, but only at the expense of reproducing some of the ecological and social shortcomings of their conventional counterparts. Nonetheless, the consolidation of value-based labels as a response to social demands for safer, cleaner, more sustainable practices in the agri-food chain is particularly significant in a time of unprecedented alignment of corporate, geo-political, academic, and conservationist interests in biotech food and energy crops. That is why the rise of organics brings some hope for affecting change in rural communities across the Global South.;However, these expectations arrive alongside profound concerns regarding the long-term contribution of organics to the sustainability of small, diversified farms. Unlike the organic agri-business, millions of families in the globe practice agriculture while preserving a variety of ecological goods and services. Although the protection of these agroecological systems might be of crucial importance for facing the ecological and socio-economic challenges of today's world, it is uncertain the extent to which organics---a highly regulated, consumer-oriented market, can really contribute to their sustainability. And even if they do have a positive effect, how can we measure it?;This dissertation focuses on the application of a participatory method for assessing the sustainability of diversified farming systems in a small community of Brazil in which a consolidated experience with certified organic production exists since the mid-nineties. Together with a focus group of eight young farmers (organic and conventional), this study measures multiple ecological and social dimensions in which organics have transformed the practices of the community, as opposed to conventional management systems such us tobacco contracting, pervasive in the region.;The result of the evaluation is meant to inspire policy makers to design sound policies for sustainable rural development in the region. In addition, the process of defining, measuring, and interpreting the sustainability indicators of their own natural resource management systems might help young farmers to make more informed decisions about the future of their farms.