| Changes within agriculture towards an industrialized approach to farming have had detrimental effects on people, communities, and the environment. There is a need for methods of farming that preserve and protect the natural and social ecology. In this thesis, I explored the experiences and stories of a small group of PEI organic farmers, who have an important role in preserving the Island's natural and social ecology. Informed mainly by the narrative theory of Rappaport (1995), I conducted qualitative interviews with seven farmers, in an effort to hear their stories as organic farmers on PEI and learn from their experiences.;While there are differences across farmer's experiences and each farmer has a unique story, based on a theme analysis, major findings from the group story indicate that most participants struggle to survive as organic farmers within a corporate monoculture farming system, face challenges and lack support, which is needed from government and consumers. The findings also suggest that a smaller farming approach is beneficial. I discuss some of the major lessons that emerged from their stories such as the need for tangible monetary and legal support, technical and marketing assistance and information, an infrastructure, a local market, group building and networking, dialogue amongst groups, and the importance of studying successful examples. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)... |
