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Local Action Groups (LAGs) are multi-sectoral, area-based partnerships operating throughout the European Union to support participatory local development in rural areas. One of the operational elements of the programme is that multi-sectoral partnerships at the local level select and fund local development projects. The aim of this paper is to explore the dynamics of the selection process at the local level, paying attention to both exogenous and endogenous dynamics that originate at both the EU, national and local levels and how these influence the selection and funding of local development projects. We present the results of qualitative case studies conducted of 15 LAGs in rural Poland. Results indicate that centrally prescribed scoring criteria for the selection of projects issued are used, but, in many cases, local unwritten rules favouring territorial distribution of funds according to number of inhabitants and perceived fairness are highly influential on the selection process. We highlight in this context how local criteria shape top-down rules for the operationalisation of LEADER at the local level, illustrating features of mixed exogenous-endogenous development. We discuss how the interplay of local and external decision-making factors ultimately determine the activities of EU-funded development programmes, highlighting benefits of local decision-making in rural development but also signalling that EU procedures are realised to variable extents.
Marek Furmankiewicz; Krzysztof Janc; Áine Macken-Walsh. Implementation of the EU LEADER programme at member-state level: Written and unwritten rules of local project selection in rural Poland. Journal of Rural Studies 2021, 86, 357 -365.
AMA StyleMarek Furmankiewicz, Krzysztof Janc, Áine Macken-Walsh. Implementation of the EU LEADER programme at member-state level: Written and unwritten rules of local project selection in rural Poland. Journal of Rural Studies. 2021; 86 ():357-365.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarek Furmankiewicz; Krzysztof Janc; Áine Macken-Walsh. 2021. "Implementation of the EU LEADER programme at member-state level: Written and unwritten rules of local project selection in rural Poland." Journal of Rural Studies 86, no. : 357-365.
International literature acknowledges benefits of the legally recognised Producer Organisations (POs). Successful leveraging of these benefits depends on two forms of cooperation: horizontal integration among the producers for more effective functioning of the POs; and vertical integration of POs with other actors in the production chain to facilitate processes of co-creation and interactive innovation. In 2016 PO legislation was first introduced in Ireland, and in 2019 Ireland’s first two beef POs emerged at a time when primary producers in the beef sector mobilised en masse, protesting against poor prices and seeking changes in supply chain relationships. Throughout this period, significant and detailed media reporting of the beef sector surrounded the protests, which takes the focus of our analysis. Building on an existing but limited literature on institutional conditions in the Irish beef industry and international accounts of factors influencing the success of POs, we analyse media coverage in order to shed light on the nature of emerging new forms of horizontal and vertical cooperation. In this regard, we focus on horizontal integration of producers into PO and associations of POs (APOs); and vertical integration of POs into Inter Branch Organisations (IBOs) and value-based supply chains (VBSCs). Our analysis shows that the media representations of the Irish beef sector evidence significant challenges to the establishment and successful operation of POs, in any form. The analysis suggests that current constellation of relations in the Irish beef sector represents an environment that is partially resistant to horizontal co-operation and significantly hostile to vertical co-operation. Interactive innovation involving different chain actors seems not to be imminent, at least in the short term, unless there are strategic public and/or private interventions introduced to support it.
Martin Javornicky; Áine Macken-Walsh; Anita Naughton. Emerging Beef Producer Organisations (POs) in the Irish Beef Sector: An Analysis of Media Coverage in the Context of Nationwide Beef Producer Protests. Sustainability 2021, 13, 1489 .
AMA StyleMartin Javornicky, Áine Macken-Walsh, Anita Naughton. Emerging Beef Producer Organisations (POs) in the Irish Beef Sector: An Analysis of Media Coverage in the Context of Nationwide Beef Producer Protests. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (3):1489.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMartin Javornicky; Áine Macken-Walsh; Anita Naughton. 2021. "Emerging Beef Producer Organisations (POs) in the Irish Beef Sector: An Analysis of Media Coverage in the Context of Nationwide Beef Producer Protests." Sustainability 13, no. 3: 1489.
Lauren McFarland; Áine Macken-Walsh; Grace Claydon; Mícheál Casey; Alexander Douglass; Guy McGrath; Conor G. McAloon. Irish dairy farmers' engagement with animal health surveillance services: Factors influencing sample submission. Journal of Dairy Science 2020, 1 .
AMA StyleLauren McFarland, Áine Macken-Walsh, Grace Claydon, Mícheál Casey, Alexander Douglass, Guy McGrath, Conor G. McAloon. Irish dairy farmers' engagement with animal health surveillance services: Factors influencing sample submission. Journal of Dairy Science. 2020; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLauren McFarland; Áine Macken-Walsh; Grace Claydon; Mícheál Casey; Alexander Douglass; Guy McGrath; Conor G. McAloon. 2020. "Irish dairy farmers' engagement with animal health surveillance services: Factors influencing sample submission." Journal of Dairy Science , no. : 1.
The number of Irish dairy farms with herds greater than 100 cows has increased from 4.5 % in 2005 to 23 % in 2016. The abolition of the dairy quota in 2015 has led to predictions that this trend will continue and that an additional 6000 people will be required to work on dairy farms by 2025. Ownership of farms is esteemed, with farm employment perceived as a poor second option, so it is necessary to identify possible routes towards creating 'good' farm employment relationships. This paper explores the social, cultural and economic values of employers and employees in the context of early experiences of farm employment in post-quota Ireland. Using narrative analysis, this study found that employees gained esteem and pride from acquiring managerial responsibilities and receiving recognition for their abilities and accomplishments from their employers. Greater social recognition of employ’ abilities by peer groups and in networks (social capital) cemented ‘good employee’ status. Employers, in a context of unprecedented dairy production expansion, emphasised the need for and demonstrated changing of power structures to open up the farm to new forms of influence. However, employers’ reflexivity in support of employment relationships was undermined overall by what the management literature calls a weak ‘rewards system’ for employees. Without the supportive scaffolding of a formalised rewards system, relational gestures of responsibility-devolution and employ’ appreciation of employees may be insufficient to sustain quality farm management employment in the long term. Inevitably, this diminishes the attractiveness of farm employment, limiting the drawing of talent not only into farm employment but into associated capacity-building programmes.
Justine Deming; Áine Macken-Walsh; Bernadette O’Brien; James Kinsella. ‘Good’ farm management employment: Emerging values in the contemporary Irish dairy sector. Land Use Policy 2020, 92, 104466 .
AMA StyleJustine Deming, Áine Macken-Walsh, Bernadette O’Brien, James Kinsella. ‘Good’ farm management employment: Emerging values in the contemporary Irish dairy sector. Land Use Policy. 2020; 92 ():104466.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJustine Deming; Áine Macken-Walsh; Bernadette O’Brien; James Kinsella. 2020. "‘Good’ farm management employment: Emerging values in the contemporary Irish dairy sector." Land Use Policy 92, no. : 104466.
Purpose: This paper demystifies the processes, methodologies and outputs of three co-design projects, identifying how and to what extent are aims and principles of the multi-actor approach realised and upheld in the field. Implications from the cases for participatory principles are discussed. Design/Methodology/approach: A detailed ethnographic account is presented of three multi-actor co-design cases, supporting diverse readers’ interpretations and learnings. Findings: Three paradoxes were identifiable from the multi-actor processes: (1) outputs can be orphaned when they lack strong identifiers and affiliations with discrete professional communities outside of the co-design team; (2) combining diverse knowledges co-design can generate outputs that are new and strange (rather than familiar and acceptable) to end-users; (3) for Responsible Research and Innovation, co-creating interventions that are challenging (rather than popular) to society may be required. Practical implications: Awareness of dynamics and paradoxes arising in the implementation of multi-actor co-design supports enhanced facilitation of processes and impacts of outcomes. Together, the paradoxes highlight the critical importance of communications and engagement initiatives across diverse communities in the aftermath of co-design efforts. Theoretical implications: Although co-design processes are case-dependent, reflexive accounts of how they play out contribute to the body of knowledge of how co-design may be better understood. The cases in this paper identify paradoxes with implications for principles and theory of multi-actor co-design. Originality/Value: This paper presents a detailed account of three unique co-design processes. Practical and theoretical implications of the cases are identified.
Áine Macken-Walsh. Multi-actor co-design of extension interventions: paradoxes arising in three cases in the Republic of Ireland. The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension 2019, 25, 245 -265.
AMA StyleÁine Macken-Walsh. Multi-actor co-design of extension interventions: paradoxes arising in three cases in the Republic of Ireland. The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension. 2019; 25 (3):245-265.
Chicago/Turabian StyleÁine Macken-Walsh. 2019. "Multi-actor co-design of extension interventions: paradoxes arising in three cases in the Republic of Ireland." The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension 25, no. 3: 245-265.
Irish beef farms have experienced poor viability longitudinally, with industry and policy actors citing ‘crisis’ levels in 2013. A crucial differentiator between the beef sector and the dairy sector, which has higher farm incomes, is well-developed infrastructure of farmer-owned dairy processing and marketing co-operatives. To address the lack of representative farmer organisations and power imbalances in the beef supply chain, in 2016 the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine (DAFM) legislated for the establishment of beef Producer Organisations (POs), facilitating beef producers to collectively strengthen their market positioning. While PO legislation is a significant development in potentially enabling supply chain integration of farmers, how the legislation is operationalised by Irish beef industry stakeholders will ultimately shape the nature and breadth of engagement with the PO model and, consequently, the impact of the legislation. In a context where there is little or no prior experience of such organisations in the beef sector, this paper presents an analysis of current stakeholder views in relation to the establishment of POs. Research involved a desk based review of the submissions made during the consultation period for the beef PO legislation and interviews with key informants in the Irish beef industry. We analysed Irish stakeholders’ views through the lens of lessons learned from the existing literature on how POs operate internationally. Results indicate some stakeholders’ perceptions of the need for a nationally coordinated approach in the establishment of an Association of POs, which concurs with the literature. However, stakeholders have not emphasised the benefits of Interbranch Organisations (IBOs), which involve vertical collaboration with other chain actors such as processors and retailers, an approach that has proven successful internationally. Nor have Irish stakeholders identified the potential of differentiating or premiumising beef products, which, according to international evidence, is necessary for improving profitability and farm-level incomes. Stakeholders identified the main threats to the future success of POs in Ireland as members’ lack of commitment and processors’ lack of willingness to engage with POs.
Hooks Teresa; Macken-Walsh Áine; McCarthy Olive; Power Carol; Henchion Maeve. Co-Operation among Irish Beef Farmers: Current Perspectives and Future Prospects in the Context of New Producer Organisation (PO) Legislation. Sustainability 2018, 10, 4085 .
AMA StyleHooks Teresa, Macken-Walsh Áine, McCarthy Olive, Power Carol, Henchion Maeve. Co-Operation among Irish Beef Farmers: Current Perspectives and Future Prospects in the Context of New Producer Organisation (PO) Legislation. Sustainability. 2018; 10 (11):4085.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHooks Teresa; Macken-Walsh Áine; McCarthy Olive; Power Carol; Henchion Maeve. 2018. "Co-Operation among Irish Beef Farmers: Current Perspectives and Future Prospects in the Context of New Producer Organisation (PO) Legislation." Sustainability 10, no. 11: 4085.
Organic and low-input food systems are emerging worldwide in answer to the sustainability crisis of the conventional agri-food sector. “Alternative” systems are based on local, decentralized approaches to production and processing, regarding quality and health, and short supply-chains for products with strong local identities. Diversity is deeply embedded in these food systems, from the agrobiodiversity grown in farmers’ fields, which improves resilience and adaptation, to diverse approaches, contexts and actors in food manufacturing and marketing. Diversity thus becomes a cross-sectoral issue which acknowledges consumers’ demand for healthy products. In the framework of the European project “CERERE, CEreal REnaissance in Rural Europe: embedding diversity in organic and low-input food systems”, the paper aims at reviewing recent research on alternative and sustainable food systems by adopting an innovative and participatory multi-actor approach; this has involved ten practitioners and twenty-two researchers from across Europe and a variety of technical backgrounds in the paper and analysis stages. The participatory approach is the main innovation and distinctive feature of this literature review. Partners selected indeed what they perceived as most relevant in order to facilitate a transition towards more sustainable and diversity based cereal systems and food chains. This includes issues related to alternative food networks, formal and informal institutional settings, grass root initiatives, consumer involvement and, finally, knowledge exchange and sustainability. The review provides an overview of recent research that is relevant to CERERE partners as well as to anyone interested in alternative and sustainable food systems. The main objective of this paper was indeed to present a narrative of studies, which can form the foundation for future applied research to promote alternative methods of cereal production in Europe.
Giovanna Sacchi; Leonardo Cei; Gianluca Stefani; Ginevra Virginia Lombardi; Benedetto Rocchi; Giovanni Belletti; Susanne Padel; Anna Sellars; Edneia Gagliardi; Giuseppe Nocella; Sarah Cardey; Minna Mikkola; Urszula Ala-Karvia; Àine Macken-Walsh; Bridin McIntyre; John Hyland; Maeve Henchion; Riccardo Bocci; Bettina Bussi; Giuseppe De Santis; Ismael Rodriguez Y Hurtado; Patrick De Kochko; Pierre Riviere; María Carrascosa-García; Ignacio Martínez; Bruce Pearce; Nic Lampkin; Camille Vindras; Frederic Rey; Véronique Chable; Antoine Cormery; Gyula Vasvari. A Multi-Actor Literature Review on Alternative and Sustainable Food Systems for the Promotion of Cereal Biodiversity. Agriculture 2018, 8, 173 .
AMA StyleGiovanna Sacchi, Leonardo Cei, Gianluca Stefani, Ginevra Virginia Lombardi, Benedetto Rocchi, Giovanni Belletti, Susanne Padel, Anna Sellars, Edneia Gagliardi, Giuseppe Nocella, Sarah Cardey, Minna Mikkola, Urszula Ala-Karvia, Àine Macken-Walsh, Bridin McIntyre, John Hyland, Maeve Henchion, Riccardo Bocci, Bettina Bussi, Giuseppe De Santis, Ismael Rodriguez Y Hurtado, Patrick De Kochko, Pierre Riviere, María Carrascosa-García, Ignacio Martínez, Bruce Pearce, Nic Lampkin, Camille Vindras, Frederic Rey, Véronique Chable, Antoine Cormery, Gyula Vasvari. A Multi-Actor Literature Review on Alternative and Sustainable Food Systems for the Promotion of Cereal Biodiversity. Agriculture. 2018; 8 (11):173.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiovanna Sacchi; Leonardo Cei; Gianluca Stefani; Ginevra Virginia Lombardi; Benedetto Rocchi; Giovanni Belletti; Susanne Padel; Anna Sellars; Edneia Gagliardi; Giuseppe Nocella; Sarah Cardey; Minna Mikkola; Urszula Ala-Karvia; Àine Macken-Walsh; Bridin McIntyre; John Hyland; Maeve Henchion; Riccardo Bocci; Bettina Bussi; Giuseppe De Santis; Ismael Rodriguez Y Hurtado; Patrick De Kochko; Pierre Riviere; María Carrascosa-García; Ignacio Martínez; Bruce Pearce; Nic Lampkin; Camille Vindras; Frederic Rey; Véronique Chable; Antoine Cormery; Gyula Vasvari. 2018. "A Multi-Actor Literature Review on Alternative and Sustainable Food Systems for the Promotion of Cereal Biodiversity." Agriculture 8, no. 11: 173.
Purpose: Understand the emergence of new potential career trajectories in the liberalised Irish dairy farming sector through analysis of the narratives of students of a Professional Diploma in Dairy Farm Management Design/methodology/approach: A review of the literature highlights that entry to a working life in agriculture has been characterised by protracted farm succession processes; a strong association between being a farmer and owning land in the family name; lingering male identities esteeming manual labour; and a pragmatic need at farm level for manual work. The abolition of milk quota in 2015 was predicted to catalyse expansion of production on dairy farms with an increase in milk production; accompanied by a demand for qualified personnel. The BNIM method was employed. Findings: Results confirm that agricultural education is perceived and experienced as offering new pathways for young farmers to enter the occupational category of ‘farmer’, helping to manoeuvre around the constraints of non-inheritance. The students’ narratives evidenced managerial identities, being strongly influenced by encountering management approaches through their agricultural education. All students desired to eventually own a farm someday and to be to employed as a professional dairy farm manager was a perceived as an intermediary goal. Practical implication: Discontinuation of the traditional family farming model based on family farm/land ownership is not imminent even among a cohort qualified to become employed dairy farm managers. Theoretical implication: This paper contributes to theoretical framework which highlights the shift in farmer masculine identity and the career trajectory of graduates of specialised agricultural education programmes.
Justine Deming; Áine Macken-Walsh; Bernadette O'brien; James Kinsella. Entering the occupational category of ‘Farmer’: new pathways through professional agricultural education in Ireland. The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension 2018, 25, 63 -78.
AMA StyleJustine Deming, Áine Macken-Walsh, Bernadette O'brien, James Kinsella. Entering the occupational category of ‘Farmer’: new pathways through professional agricultural education in Ireland. The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension. 2018; 25 (1):63-78.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJustine Deming; Áine Macken-Walsh; Bernadette O'brien; James Kinsella. 2018. "Entering the occupational category of ‘Farmer’: new pathways through professional agricultural education in Ireland." The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension 25, no. 1: 63-78.
Irish beef farms have experienced poor viability longitudinally, with officially acknowledged ‘crisis’ levels in 2013. In response, beef Producer Organisation (PO) legislation was introduced. Through the lens of international evidence in the literature about how POs function, this paper presents an analysis of Irish stakeholders’ views in the context of a public consultation process. While stakeholders indicate the need for individual POs to collaborate, little emphasis is placed on other factors necessary for success: collaboration with other chain actors; and market differentiation of products. Stakeholders identified primary threats as poor engagement on the part of both farmers and processors/purchasers.
Teresa Hooks; Aine Macken-Walsh; Olive McCarthy; Carol Power; Maeve Henchion. Co-Operation among Irish Beef Farmers: Current Perspectives and Future Prospects in the Context of New Producer Organisation (PO) Legislation. 2018, 1 .
AMA StyleTeresa Hooks, Aine Macken-Walsh, Olive McCarthy, Carol Power, Maeve Henchion. Co-Operation among Irish Beef Farmers: Current Perspectives and Future Prospects in the Context of New Producer Organisation (PO) Legislation. . 2018; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTeresa Hooks; Aine Macken-Walsh; Olive McCarthy; Carol Power; Maeve Henchion. 2018. "Co-Operation among Irish Beef Farmers: Current Perspectives and Future Prospects in the Context of New Producer Organisation (PO) Legislation." , no. : 1.
The analysis of this paper is located in the theoretical interplay between the concepts of identity and masculinity, contributing to the ongoing debate on gendered identities and masculinities in family farming. Our focus in this paper is specifically on men who established formal collaborative arrangements (Joint Farming Ventures, JFVs) with fellow farmers, including family members. We present an empirical analysis of primary qualitative data, using the Biographic Narrative Interpretive Method (BNIM), which has particular analytical purchase in the study of identity. Our analysis finds that formal collaborative arrangements in the form of JFVs are employed as resilience strategies by male farmers. The strategies strive to continue the performance of some traditional masculinity traits but markedly involve the renegotiation of hegemonic masculine identity forms, resonant with debates elsewhere on reconstituting gender norms in family farming. Our narrative analysis finds that men's entry to and operation of JFVs entail a conscious and active relinquishing of dominant decision-making power on their farms, an openness to the views and opinions of others, and a greater willingness to help-seek and express emotions. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Peter Cush; Áine Macken-Walsh. Reconstituting Male Identities through Joint Farming Ventures in Ireland. Sociologia Ruralis 2018, 58, 726 -744.
AMA StylePeter Cush, Áine Macken-Walsh. Reconstituting Male Identities through Joint Farming Ventures in Ireland. Sociologia Ruralis. 2018; 58 (4):726-744.
Chicago/Turabian StylePeter Cush; Áine Macken-Walsh. 2018. "Reconstituting Male Identities through Joint Farming Ventures in Ireland." Sociologia Ruralis 58, no. 4: 726-744.
Peter Cush; Aine Macken-Walsh; Anne Byrne. Joint Farming Ventures in Ireland: Gender identities of the self and the social. Journal of Rural Studies 2018, 57, 55 -64.
AMA StylePeter Cush, Aine Macken-Walsh, Anne Byrne. Joint Farming Ventures in Ireland: Gender identities of the self and the social. Journal of Rural Studies. 2018; 57 ():55-64.
Chicago/Turabian StylePeter Cush; Aine Macken-Walsh; Anne Byrne. 2018. "Joint Farming Ventures in Ireland: Gender identities of the self and the social." Journal of Rural Studies 57, no. : 55-64.
Teresa Hooks; Áine Macken-Walsh; Olive McCarthy; Carol Power. Farm-level viability, sustainability and resilience: a focus on cooperative action and values-based supply chains. Studies in Agricultural Economics 2017, 119, 123 -129.
AMA StyleTeresa Hooks, Áine Macken-Walsh, Olive McCarthy, Carol Power. Farm-level viability, sustainability and resilience: a focus on cooperative action and values-based supply chains. Studies in Agricultural Economics. 2017; 119 (3):123-129.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTeresa Hooks; Áine Macken-Walsh; Olive McCarthy; Carol Power. 2017. "Farm-level viability, sustainability and resilience: a focus on cooperative action and values-based supply chains." Studies in Agricultural Economics 119, no. 3: 123-129.
T. Hooks; Olive McCarthy; Carol Power; Aine Macken-Walsh. A co-operative business approach in a values-based supply chain: A case study of a beef co-operative. Journal of Co-operative Organization and Management 2017, 5, 65 -72.
AMA StyleT. Hooks, Olive McCarthy, Carol Power, Aine Macken-Walsh. A co-operative business approach in a values-based supply chain: A case study of a beef co-operative. Journal of Co-operative Organization and Management. 2017; 5 (2):65-72.
Chicago/Turabian StyleT. Hooks; Olive McCarthy; Carol Power; Aine Macken-Walsh. 2017. "A co-operative business approach in a values-based supply chain: A case study of a beef co-operative." Journal of Co-operative Organization and Management 5, no. 2: 65-72.
Bovine Johne's Disease (JD) is a disease characterised by chronic granulomatous enteritis which manifests clinically as a protein-losing enteropathy causing diarrhoea, hypoproteinaemia, emaciation and, eventually death. Some research exists to suggest that the aetiologic pathogen Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis may pose a zoonotic risk. Nationally coordinated control programmes have been introduced in many of the major milk producing countries across the world. However, JD is challenging to control in infected herds owing to limitations of diagnostic tests and the long incubation period of the disease. Internationally, research increasingly recognises that improved understanding of farmers' subjective views and behaviours may inform and enhance disease management strategies and support the identification and implementation of best practice at farm level. The aim of this study was to use qualitative research methods to explore the values and knowledges of farmers relative to the control of JD at farm level. The Biographical Narrative Interpretive Method (BNIM) was used to generate data from both infected and presumed uninfected farms in Ireland. Qualitative analysis revealed that cultural and social capital informed farmers' decisions on whether to introduce control and preventive measures. Cultural capital refers to the pride and esteem farmers associate with particular objects and actions whereas social capital is the value that farmers associate with social relationships with others. On-farm controls were often evaluated by farmers as impractical and were frequently at odds with farmers' knowledge of calf management. Knowledge from farmers of infected herds did not disseminate among peer farmers. Owners of herds believed to be uninfected expressed a view that controls and preventive measures were not worthy of adoption until there was clear evidence of JD in the herd. These findings highlight important barriers and potential aids to prevention and control in both infected and uninfected herds.
Conor McAloon; Áine Macken-Walsh; Lisa Moran; Paul Whyte; Simon More; Luke O’Grady; Michael L. Doherty. Johne’s disease in the eyes of Irish cattle farmers: A qualitative narrative research approach to understanding implications for disease management. Preventive Veterinary Medicine 2017, 141, 7 -13.
AMA StyleConor McAloon, Áine Macken-Walsh, Lisa Moran, Paul Whyte, Simon More, Luke O’Grady, Michael L. Doherty. Johne’s disease in the eyes of Irish cattle farmers: A qualitative narrative research approach to understanding implications for disease management. Preventive Veterinary Medicine. 2017; 141 ():7-13.
Chicago/Turabian StyleConor McAloon; Áine Macken-Walsh; Lisa Moran; Paul Whyte; Simon More; Luke O’Grady; Michael L. Doherty. 2017. "Johne’s disease in the eyes of Irish cattle farmers: A qualitative narrative research approach to understanding implications for disease management." Preventive Veterinary Medicine 141, no. : 7-13.
The ‘Agriculture of the Middle’ (AotM) development paradigm emphasises that in order to survive, family farms must transition from a supply chain approach to a values-based supply chain (VBSC) approach, involving amendments to both product type and actor dynamics within the chain. This paper presents a qualitative case study of a beef co-operative integrated to a VBSC. We use an analytical framework of viability, sustainability and resilience to analyse impacts at farm-level. Our analysis highlights a number of positive effects on farm-level viability, sustainability and resilience. These benefits stemmed largely from improvements to market orientation, price stability, and members’ capacities in responding to problems. However, the autonomy of the co-operative was challenged by VBSC chain members, which impacted negatively on the stability of the co-operative.
Teresa Hooks; Áine Macken-Walsh; Olive McCarthy; Carol Power. The Impact of a Values-Based Supply Chain (VBSC) on Farm-Level Viability, Sustainability and Resilience: Case Study Evidence. Sustainability 2017, 9, 267 .
AMA StyleTeresa Hooks, Áine Macken-Walsh, Olive McCarthy, Carol Power. The Impact of a Values-Based Supply Chain (VBSC) on Farm-Level Viability, Sustainability and Resilience: Case Study Evidence. Sustainability. 2017; 9 (2):267.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTeresa Hooks; Áine Macken-Walsh; Olive McCarthy; Carol Power. 2017. "The Impact of a Values-Based Supply Chain (VBSC) on Farm-Level Viability, Sustainability and Resilience: Case Study Evidence." Sustainability 9, no. 2: 267.
R. McDonald; Aine Macken-Walsh. An actor-oriented approach to understanding dairy farming in a liberalised regime: A case study of Ireland’s New Entrants’ Scheme. Land Use Policy 2016, 58, 537 -544.
AMA StyleR. McDonald, Aine Macken-Walsh. An actor-oriented approach to understanding dairy farming in a liberalised regime: A case study of Ireland’s New Entrants’ Scheme. Land Use Policy. 2016; 58 ():537-544.
Chicago/Turabian StyleR. McDonald; Aine Macken-Walsh. 2016. "An actor-oriented approach to understanding dairy farming in a liberalised regime: A case study of Ireland’s New Entrants’ Scheme." Land Use Policy 58, no. : 537-544.
Functional interest representation, which relates to the representation of discrete sectoral or professional interests, is a fundamental concept underpinning the organisational methodology of EU governance and programmes such as LEADER. The policy rationalisation of LEADER is premised on creating alliances between diverse functional interests so that development can be approached in an integrated way. However, the analytical vantage point of the governance and rural development literature heretofore has been dominated by theories of territorial interest representation with comparatively less focus on the importance of functional interest representation sui generis. A prevalent research emphasis has been on interactions between partners and development outcomes of LEADER partnerships. Little research effort has been devoted to discerning the primary functional interests of those who become involved in LEADER partnerships in the first instance, and there is an absence of clear criteria by which sectoral representatives are classified. Our article, presenting empirical research undertaken in post-socialist Poland, presents an analysis of the membership composition of all LEADER LAG decision-making committees nationally, identifying the dominant sectoral affiliations of members. Next we examine the extent to which the thresholds stipulated by EU rules in order to promote balanced representation of statutory, private and third sector interests are actually achieved. We find that while many LEADER partnerships officially appear to adhere to balanced tri-partite membership, more than half of all partnerships are in reality prone to domination or monopolisation by statutory actors. We draw from qualitative interviews to identify explanatory factors for partnerships’ failure to represent diverse functional interests. Tensions between territorial and functional interest representation are highlighted and we find that embedded structures within territories can, through relational dynamics such as professional dependency, tokenism and clientelism, impede the realisation of governance processes.
Marek Furmankiewicz; Áine Macken-Walsh. Government within governance? Polish rural development partnerships through the lens of functional representation. Journal of Rural Studies 2016, 46, 12 -22.
AMA StyleMarek Furmankiewicz, Áine Macken-Walsh. Government within governance? Polish rural development partnerships through the lens of functional representation. Journal of Rural Studies. 2016; 46 ():12-22.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarek Furmankiewicz; Áine Macken-Walsh. 2016. "Government within governance? Polish rural development partnerships through the lens of functional representation." Journal of Rural Studies 46, no. : 12-22.
Peter Cush; Áine Macken-Walsh. Farming through the ages: joint farming ventures in Ireland. Rural Society 2016, 1 -13.
AMA StylePeter Cush, Áine Macken-Walsh. Farming through the ages: joint farming ventures in Ireland. Rural Society. 2016; ():1-13.
Chicago/Turabian StylePeter Cush; Áine Macken-Walsh. 2016. "Farming through the ages: joint farming ventures in Ireland." Rural Society , no. : 1-13.
We discuss the rationale for a balanced age structure and greater participation of younger farmers in Irish agriculture. However, we are circumspect with regard to prevailing policy discourses that are biased for and against farmers depending on their age and ownership status. We discuss how joint farming ventures (JFVs), involving diverse combinations of farmers, have the capacity to manoeuvre around the “land mobility” problem by instead paying recognition to human capital on farms. Taking a focus on the micro-politics of the farming household, we identify JFVs as capable of providing recognition to younger and older farmers, whether or not they own land. We argue that JFVs not only provide career pathways for younger farmers but also preserve the crucial inter-generational dynamic of family farming. Highlighting the psychodynamic processes at play in processes of farm succession, we advocate extension strategies to facilitate JFVs in achieving meaningful human capital benefits at farm-level.
Peter Cush; Áine Macken-Walsh. Farming ‘through the ages’: joint farming ventures in Ireland. Rural Society 2016, 25, 104 -116.
AMA StylePeter Cush, Áine Macken-Walsh. Farming ‘through the ages’: joint farming ventures in Ireland. Rural Society. 2016; 25 (2):104-116.
Chicago/Turabian StylePeter Cush; Áine Macken-Walsh. 2016. "Farming ‘through the ages’: joint farming ventures in Ireland." Rural Society 25, no. 2: 104-116.
Joint farming ventures (JFVs) are promoted within Irish and EU policy discourses as strategies that can enhance the economic and social sustainability of family farming. Research has shown that JFVs, including arrangements such as farm partnerships, contract rearing and share farming, can potentially enable farmers to work cooperatively to improve farm productivity, reduce working hours, facilitate succession, develop skills and improve relationships within the farm household. In the context of increasing policy promotion of JFVs, there is a need to make some attempt at understanding the macro socio-cultural disposition of family farming to cooperation. Reviewing sociological studies of agricultural cooperation and taking a specific focus on the Irish contextual backdrop, this paper draws the reader’s attention to the importance of historical legacy, pragmatic economic and social concerns, communicative norms, inter-personal relationships, individualism and, policy and extension stimuli, all of which shape farmers’ dispositions to cooperation and to JFVs specifically.
Peter Cush; Áine Macken-Walsh. The Potential for Joint Farming Ventures in Irish Agriculture: A Sociological Review. European Countryside 2016, 8, 33 -48.
AMA StylePeter Cush, Áine Macken-Walsh. The Potential for Joint Farming Ventures in Irish Agriculture: A Sociological Review. European Countryside. 2016; 8 (1):33-48.
Chicago/Turabian StylePeter Cush; Áine Macken-Walsh. 2016. "The Potential for Joint Farming Ventures in Irish Agriculture: A Sociological Review." European Countryside 8, no. 1: 33-48.