The role of transformative learning in fostering a more sustainable society: The case of consuming organic in Canada

Food is a powerful symbol in the struggle to transition to a more sustainable pathway, and interest surrounding food and food security has increased steadily over the last few years. The choices citizens make around food have deep environmental and social impacts within their communities, and around the world.;Using transformative learning theory, the research explores the learning that takes place amongst adults who consume goods directly from local organic producers, and how this affects their worldview. The ultimate question investigated is whether transformative learning can create lasting change amongst learners, resulting in more environmentally responsible decision making, and therefore a more sustainable society. The objectives of the research examine the individual learning associated with differing models of organic farms; understand why people support organic farmers; explore what this means in the transformation of individual normative ideologies and the potential impacts on sustainability; and communicate the findings.;The research was conducted on the East Coast of Canada through face to face interviews, as well as through the researcher's own observations while working on the organic farms. Three different models of producer/consumer interfaces were considered: a market garden operation, an education and outreach centre, and a Community-SharedAgriculture project.;The researcher found that all participants experienced some form of either communicative or instrumental learning. The role of informal, experiential learning was key in creating shifts in participants worldview related to food and environmental issues. Eight participants identified transformative learning experiences related to food, and their stories showed that the change was long-lasting, shared with others, and contributed to a more sustainable society. Closing the gap between producer and consumer through direct contact with the farmer at a market, visiting the farm, or participating in food production oneself is not only a desirable step in reaching a more sustainable lifestyle, it proves to be a powerful learning tool linking the customer to a world of other environmental and social issues.;This research explores organic farming as an example of resource management grounded in community and environmental sustainability, and how it affects the learning of those who seek it out. The underlying premise is that food is the basis of societal organisation, and that the conventional food system (and therefore our societal organization) is unsustainable having been undermined by a number of interdependent factors including the globalisation of our food supply focused on trade liberalization, introduction of genetic engineering technology, and loss of local farmers, local foods, and therefore biological diversity and system resilience.