Agroecosystem Living Labs: Participant Experiences and Innovation Dynamics in Canada

Agricultural production can both contribute to and mitigate climate change. This has created opportunities for the agriculture sector to be leaders in climate change mitigation in addition to other ecosystem services. Traditional approaches in agricultural research and innovation used a linear innovation model where scientists developed technologies and practices and disseminated the results to farmers, with varying degrees of consultation, in hopes of adoption on-farm. However, the urgency of the climate and other environmental crises requires swift action with more certain adoption. Engaging farmers who are impacted by climate change in innovations from the beginning could build collaborative systems of knowledge and practice throughout the entire process of solution development, potentially increasing the speed and spread of agri-environmental innovations. Agroecosystem living labs represent a different innovation approach to addressing complex agri-environmental problems with the involvement of farmers, scientists, and other partners. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 46 participants from four agroecosystem living labs located across Canada. The results highlight changes in relationships, ways of working, and roles among partners, stronger collaboration, mutual learning, farmer-centered innovations, and lessons emphasizing trust, clear expectations, flexibility, and leadership.