Over the past century global agriculture has come to be characterized by high levels of industrial inputs, as well as increasing consolidation of land ownership and a focus on export-oriented monocrop production. In spite of its dominance, this conventional model of food production has faced growing criticism for being environmentally, socially, and economically unsustainable, and alternatives such as organic agriculture are becoming increasingly popular. The rapid growth of these alternative modes of production raises questions regarding how sustainable food systems should be defined, how they might best be implemented, and how they can contribute to the overall goals of sustainable development. <br /><br /> Cuba is a recognized leader in the adoption of sustainable agriculture. This research examines the Cuban experience in an effort to determine how Cubans who work in the agricultural sector perceive and define agricultural sustainability, who the major actors have been in the shift away from conventional techniques, and what the future challenges and opportunities for agroecology in the country might be. In order to address these questions interviews were conducted with Cubans involved in the agricultural sector at the level of research, education, and extension, as well as with Cuban farmers. In addition, participant observation was carried out during a number of farm visits and while attending agricultural extension workshops. <br /><br /> The results of this study demonstrate that agroecology in Cuba is based on a wide range of techniques, including polyculture, mixed farming, animal traction, organic input use, and a focus on local food networks. For many farmers, the use of agroecological techniques does not reflect a conscious choice on their part. Rather, their production decisions tend to be driven by a combination of resource shortages and strong state influence at the farm level. Indeed, the shift towards agroecology in Cuba has largely been driven by national level actors, including the state, NGOs, and research institutes. As such, many farmers lack a sense of personal commitment to agroecology, and this may pose challenges for its present and future success. A further challenge is presented by a lack of resources for agroecological development and extension. The opportunity for price premiums in the niche organic market could provide positive economic incentives for Cuban agroecology; however, this would imply shifting back to an export driven agricultural economy, and the degree to which this is desirable or truly sustainable is questionable.

Over the past century global agriculture has come to be characterized by high levels of industrial inputs, as well as increasing consolidation of land ownership and a focus on export-oriented monocrop production. In spite of its dominance, this conventional model of food production has faced growing criticism for being environmentally, socially, and economically unsustainable, and alternatives such as organic agriculture are becoming increasingly popular. The rapid growth of these alternative modes of production raises questions regarding how sustainable food systems should be defined, how they might best be implemented, and how they can contribute to the overall goals of sustainable development. <br /><br /> Cuba is a recognized leader in the adoption of sustainable agriculture. This research examines the Cuban experience in an effort to determine how Cubans who work in the agricultural sector perceive and define agricultural sustainability, who the major actors have been in the shift away from conventional techniques, and what the future challenges and opportunities for agroecology in the country might be. In order to address these questions interviews were conducted with Cubans involved in the agricultural sector at the level of research, education, and extension, as well as with Cuban farmers. In addition, participant observation was carried out during a number of farm visits and while attending agricultural extension workshops. <br /><br /> The results of this study demonstrate that agroecology in Cuba is based on a wide range of techniques, including polyculture, mixed farming, animal traction, organic input use, and a focus on local food networks. For many farmers, the use of agroecological techniques does not reflect a conscious choice on their part. Rather, their production decisions tend to be driven by a combination of resource shortages and strong state influence at the farm level. Indeed, the shift towards agroecology in Cuba has largely been driven by national level actors, including the state, NGOs, and research institutes. As such, many farmers lack a sense of personal commitment to agroecology, and this may pose challenges for its present and future success. A further challenge is presented by a lack of resources for agroecological development and extension. The opportunity for price premiums in the niche organic market could provide positive economic incentives for Cuban agroecology; however, this would imply shifting back to an export driven agricultural economy, and the degree to which this is desirable or truly sustainable is questionable.

The introduction of micropolitan areas as an official statistical category has raised questions about this intermediate category of formerly rural places. This thesis explores the conventional idea that small urban areas lack economic and social autonomy and that their development relies on proximity to metropolitan areas. Three central questions will examine the concept of autonomy among Georgia micropolitans with regard to income, industry and demographic structures. Workforce commuting patterns show micropolitans in the northern part of the state have less autonomy than those located in Southern Georgia. Policy should reflect these differences, address the reliance on declining manufacturing sectors, and concerns about poverty and education. Profiles of Georgia micropolitans and case studies of three micropolitan cities offer a baseline for policy makers and future researchers. The information provides the framework for questions about the dependence on metropolitans, the ability to provide jobs for the workforce and potential for economic development. Methods include regression analysis and a comparative case study of Georgia micropolitans with a developing Dutch region. The case of the Twente region highlights strategies to transform an old industrial area into an innovative hotspot with an educated workforce.

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Abstract Rural tourism can not only benefit the local economy, rural development and environmental improvement, but also concretes rural dwellers¡¦ identities and senses of belonging. Therefore, rural tourism is regarded as an important policy for rural development and local regeneration in Europe, United States, and Japan. Rural tourism is recently released in many countrified regions in Taiwan by combining community identities and taking advantages of special local resources to attract tourists. Among these cases, some successfully achieved the goal of regenerating local development, but some failed and resulted in ¡§creative destructions¡¨. The extremely different results are the motivations of this study. This paper explores the essential elements for developing rural tourism and the purpose of sustainable development strategies. This research takes Dashu Township as the case. Through in-deep interviews, observation, and documental analysis, I collected documental information and viewpoints and suggestions of participators that related to rural tourism. I, according to overall interview results which were assisted with references from documents and correlative information, blueprinted the rural tourism development strategy for Dashu Township. My conclusion of the development of Dashu Township¡¦s rural tourism strategy is divided into four parts according to governmental mechanism, tourist resources, tourist service, and operation and management. I. Governmental mechanism: Setting up a favorable rural tourism environment under government¡¦s support and driving can bring about communities¡¦ mutual connection and create local consensus to arouse inhabitants¡¦ identities and participation. The government can also integrate tourist resources with participators. II. Tourist resources: Tourist resources can be discussed in three dimensions which are conserving natural resources to develop ecotourism, activating art activities to develop cultural tourism, or boosting up industrial resources and passing down industrial culture. III. Tourist service: Tourist service can be improved by planning sound travel schedule, operating accommodations, promoting local dishes, improving transportation equipment and public facilities, and providing detail information for the travelers. IV. Operation and management: Developing delicate products with local features and marketing them creatively. Strengthening human resource training and enhancing the ability of maintenance and management. In accordance with the study discussion and conclusion, the main suggestion for Dashu Town ship to set up rural tourism policy including the following parts which are formulating the development plan and putting administration in practice, insisting on local specialties and local-identity, cooperating with cities in order to reach sustainable value, operating in small scale to fulfill each group¡¦s needs, selecting a particular scenic point and developing profound tourism to form clusters effects in the future , and returning to basic construction to create high quality surrounding.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2003. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 207-216). Available also in a digital version.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2003. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Available also from UMI Company.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, Berkeley, 1981. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 264-267).

Thesis (Ph. D.) -- Lincoln University, 2009. / Also available via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2001. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains x, 283 p. : ill. (some col.), maps (some col.). Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 223-253).