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Project title

Dairy Sustainability Through Regenerative Experimentation and Mindsets

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

University College Cork (UCC)

Lead Applicant

Noreen Byrne

Project Abstract

Environmental degradation as a result of intensive conventional dairy farming is a well-documented concern. Meanwhile, policies such as the EU Green Deal and the EU Restoration Law are setting ambitious environmental targets (such as net zero emissions by 2050) that will inevitably require the co-operation of the Irish agriculture sector. However, as current remedial measures are largely designed to fit into conventional farm management, actions and results are not aiding towards a systematic transformation to a more sustainable method of production. To support a transition that will overcome these challenges and aid in meeting these targets, there needs to be a focus on sustainable practices rooted in alternative systems such as regenerative agriculture. Largely driven by farmers themselves, regenerative agriculture takes a systems and landscape-based approach, moving beyond harm reduction and towards increased ecosystem health. Regenerative agriculture is working with nature in a holistic framework requiring a willingness by farmers to experiment, and it is in this experimentation where mindsets can significantly shift. Farmers experimenting with regenerative practices are taking on the role of navigating to a solution within the fragmented agricultural production system. Thus, entitled ‘Dairy Sustainability Through Regenerative Experimentation and Mindsets’ (DStream), this project is grounded in the farmer and their practices. The overall objective of DStream is to investigate the role of practices in enabling the emergence of pro-environmental and experimental mindsets amongst Irish dairy farmers. Moreover, DStream aims to assess the potential for creating momentum for self-sustaining pro-environmental behaviour at both an on-farm and landscape level. The farmer is a key driver of such a systematic change, translating societal, economic, and environmental demands through their daily practices and actions. Therefore, developing an understanding of mindsets is vital. Mindsets will be analysed through mental model analysis, a cognitive mapping methodology that allows researchers to understand how farmers view, and ultimately act within the world around them. Through this mental model methodology, we explore if experimental practices contribute to emerging environmental mindsets and identities and to what extent both contribute to an on-going momentum in experimentation. While we ground our research in the farmers lifeworld, we also explore to what extent contextual factors (such as regulation, programme design, organisational affiliations (i.e., co-operatives), market mechanisms, family dynamics and local community) hinder or enable that experimentation, as perceived by the farmers and key stakeholders. DStream provides a basis to assess the inner dimensions of the farmer and use this knowledge to influence and inform policy and initiatives in a way that goes beyond adoption rates and environmental results (which often have a temporal disconnect). The vision of DStream is to provide a strong evidence base for action towards an enabling context for a more sustainable production system in Irish dairy.

Grant Approved

�521,290.38

Research Hub

Natural Environment

Research Theme

Addressing the Societal Dimension of Environmental Challenges

Start Date

31/03/2024

Initial Projected Completion Date

30/03/2028