Collective transformation through design-based on the example of a small farm

Have you ever thought about what it means to be a small-scale farmer? What does it mean to transform a farm into a sustainable enterprise? We have studied that very intensively and would like to share our findings with you. We are going to explore the world of small-scale farms and will have a look at some best practices examples. Then we will work together on an example and will try to understand its challenges and our goals for a successful transformation. We are going to work as visual as possible and to find solutions we are going to create and illustrate visual future visions of a farm after its eco-social transformation. 

What are the conditions for a farmer to work sustainably? Can speculative design support the change? Visualization is the first step towards the transformation.

The current agricultural system leaves farmers only with the choice either to exploit themselves or the ecosystem. / If we practiced agriculture correctly and regeneratively, we could stop climate change./ What does it mean to be a farmer in South Tyrol?

Bio

Camilla Carioli

interdisciplinary designer, has a focus on small scale farm sustainability. She has a background in product design, ceramic and eco-social design. Currently based in Emilia Romagna. 

Meike Hollnaicher

freelance media designer with passion for rural development and focus on community building among organic small scale farmers. Formally working as Art Director and project manager in the advertising industry, she is now working on designing solutions to eco-social challenges.

Recommended readings:
Recommended movies:
  • Seed: The untold story (Taggart Siegel, und Jon Betz 2019) 
  • The biggest little farm (John Chester 2018)
  • The milk system (Andreas Pichler 2017)