Farming Futures in Borderline Communities of Sweden and Australia

Using theoretical elements from the ‘reconnection’ debate in rural geography, the project filled a gap in current research by looking at how specific locations might be experiencing agriculture-community uncoupling, re-connection, or, more likely, a combination of both processes.

The project was based on a comparative analysis of two cases of ‘borderline’ regions in Sweden (Western Lapland) and Australia (Mid North). It combined:

1. the quantitative analysis of agricultural, demographic and economic historical data;
2. the compilation and analysis of responses to a community survey and follow-up in-depth interviews providing us with local relational data;
3. a community-based foresight study engaging with community actors to identify how future prospects for local agriculture may contribute to sustainable community development.

The empirical evidence generated by this research support community actors and regional policymakers in promoting innovative farming models, based on close relationships between producers and consumers, that make these communities better able to adapt to changing local conditions induced by external forces.