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Conversion to Organic Farming: A Typical Example of the Diffusion of an Innovation?

Susanne Padel · 2001 · Sociologia Ruralis

Summary. This paper reviews twenty years of studies on organic farmers across multiple countries to test whether organic farming adoption fits the diffusion-of-innovation model. Early organic farmers shared characteristics with innovators in other fields: they faced community opposition, social isolation, and operated when the sector was small. The author concludes the diffusion model successfully explains organic farming adoption patterns and the individual conversion decisions farmers make.

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Padel, S.. (2001). Conversion to Organic Farming: A Typical Example of the Diffusion of an Innovation?. Sociologia Ruralis. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9523.00169

Details

DOI
10.1111/1467-9523.00169
Countries
United Kingdom
Regions
Europe
Categories
innovation-theory, food-systems, general-innovation
Added
2026-04-28