Meetings

1. Between Network research groups. We will consider research lines, methodologies and the results of each research group. Furthermore, the objectives will be prioritized and future Network activities will be scheduled. November 2003.

2. Between Network researcher groups and stakeholders. We will identify necessary lines of investigation and training that are currently non-existent in Catalonia. Managers, advisors and persons in charge of relevant public and private organizations working on, or developing, organic farming techniques, whether in education, research, experimentation, demonstration or dissemination will be invited. January – February 2004.

3. Between Network research groups. Aim is to identify scientific weaknesses within the network and within Catalonian research programmes into organic farming. Proposals will be established to overcome problems and to design more coherent and integrated research in order to avoid duplication and dispersal and to optimize research resources. July 2004.

4. Scientific meeting between Network research groups to present their research activities and results. Several European research institutes will also be invited, as well as stakeholders, managers, advisors and persons in charge of relevant public and private organizations so as to establish contact with European research institutes that are working on research, education, experimentation, demonstration and dissemination. December 2004.


Collaboration in joint experiments

Specific collaborations between researchers from different research groups will be fostered. The lack of long term (LTER) interdisciplinary studies in Catalonia is an important weakness when contrasted with the prioritisation that organic farming has enjoyed in the United States and several European countries such as Austria, Germany, Switzerland (see http://www.isofar.org).


Student and researcher exchanges

The Network aims to promote the training of fellows, assistants and Network members from complementary scientific fields so as to profit from greater interdisciplinarity. This formation led to (i) bring together distinct threads of research from different groups, (ii) generate more realistic future collaborations among groups and (iii) lead to the training of competitive researchers.


The promotion of the Network’s activities beyond the academic field

The launching of the Organic Faming Network is justified by the important absence of co-operation among research groups and stakeholders. This non-relationship is not exclusive to Catalonia, being characteristic of the entire international scientific community. For this reason, we propose several actions to (i) enhance contact with managers, advisors and persons in charge of relevant public and private organizations and (ii) disseminate findings generated by member groups of the Organic Farming Network. To this end, more concrete activities are proposed.

1. An informative leaflet will be distributed to publicise the Organic Farming Network. The main objectives, structure, scheduling, research and educational activities of research groups will be summarised. This leaflet will be sent to all Spanish public and private institutions working on, or developing, organic farming techniques, whether in education, research, experimentation, demonstration or dissemination. February-March 2004.

2. A Web page will be established. The main objectives, structure, scheduling and research lines of each of the research groups, recent research projects, papers, theses and formation activities will be found there, as well as further information regarding the Network’s activities and material on relevant current events. Links to the main Organic Farming websites will also be included. The main objectives are (i) to provide a mechanism to introduce the Network’s research groups to other Spanish and European groups, (ii) to disseminate their results amongst relevant public and private institutions and (iii) to be a forum for scientific discussion. February 2004.

3. The publication of a final document evaluating research on organic farming. This document will identify necessary lines of investigation (R & D) on organic farming and adequate methodologies for the development of agroecosystems and consequently the design of sustainable ecological systems. It will propose recommendations for future scientific policy in organic farming and evaluate available training schemes. April - May 2005.