Vision:
I envision a future in which famers grow crops with minimal pesticide application and in polycultures as opposed to monocultures. This will reduce the rate at which pests evolve resistance to pesticides, thus minimizing crop damage.
Values:
Ecological decisions need to be made by viewing the environment and ecosystems as complex adaptive systems. Thus, disturbance, diversity, ecological knowledge and self-organization regarding the system that farmers currently use must be studied and improved.
Intervention:
Using the 'Goals' Leverage Point, the purpose of the current farming system can be changed by educating farmers and the public on the benefits of using fewer pesticides and polycultures to grow food. For example, educational workshops can be hosted across Canada to help people understand that organic food is not necessarily better for the environment or them.
