Welcome to the FarmPath midterm meeting!

The FarmPath International Advisory Group Chair: Geoff Wilson, University of Plymouth Members: Ingrid Pettersson, CEJA (European Council of Young Farmers) (vice president) Hilkka Vihinen, MTT (Agri-food research Finland) Boelie Elzen, Wageningen University, the Netherlands Otto Schmid, FiBL (Research Institute of Organic Agriculture), Switzerland Maciej Krzysztofowicz, DG Agri, European Commission

Role of the International Advisory Group “The International Advisory Group (IAG) will meet three times during the project to evaluate progress and provide advice on future steps. This is expected to include reviewing the conceptual framework and participating in the selection of initiatives in WP3 (Month 7), reviewing findings from WP3 and 4 and contributing to the establishment of WP5 (Month 19), and participating in the final conference (Month 34). A formal review of progress, and any suggested recommendations, will be reported in Month 19 (Deliverable 7.1).” Annex 1

Today’s Tasks Overview of progress to date Feedback on Workpackage 3 (Case studies of Initiatives) Feedback on proposal for Workpackage 5 (Transition Pathways) Suggestions on how to assess sustainability and involve young farmers and new entrants

The FarmPath Concept In FarmPath, we propose that increasing sustainability of agriculture is best addressed by enabling flexible combinations of farming models, which vary to reflect the specific opportunity sets embedded in regional culture, agricultural capability, diversification potential, ecology and historic ownership and governance structures. We will enable progress towards this goal of increased regional sustainability by identifying and evaluating best practice in initiatives at farm and regional level, mechanisms to provide viable models for young farmers and new entrants, participatory identification of different future transition pathways and social and technological innovation needs and formalisation of multi-level policy recommendations based on this evidence.

Working Structure of FarmPath

Progress to Date - Highlights Book contract signed Active National Stakeholder Partnership Groups Completion of 21 case studies and 7 cluster reports Literature reviews on young farmers/new entrants compiled, with additional case study findings WP5 protocol developed ahead of schedule German stakeholder group