Samodlarna probably was among the first and outstanding in Europe - a pity I couldn't attend its 40 years' celebration. Another example of an early organic cooperative was Naturland Marktgenossenschaft - a consumer/farmer cooperative in Munich. I wasn't among the founders but it existed already before Naturland Association was founded in 1982. It does not exist any longer as independent organisation. Parts respectively responsibilities were taken over by Naturland Association, Naturland Marktgesellschaft of farmers and Ökoring, a regional organic wholesaler.
"Many of the farmers using those distribution networks are not organic or are non-certified organic as there is little value in certification when you do direct marketing."
As I mentioned in my first book, which you have Gunnar, certified organic was originated as a marketing scheme in the US. Perhaps it was in Sweden too. In direct marketing the connection/relationship is 2nd-party, so knowing the farmer uses organic methods (or in my case beyond organic) obviates the need for certification. Here is the next step - the gift economy. I have been flogging this idea for years. (One of the reasons I was canceled on Resilience.org no doubt.)
The key to understanding the obligation is that it is group-to-group. My efforts to emphasize obligation is different here in southern France where I now live. I just give as much food away as I can, just like I did when I lived in the US. Us individuals have to do what we can while we wait for other people to catch up. I get the occasional bottle of wine or box of food I don't grow, but there is no downside. I build up my soil by growing more food than I can eat. I don't sell anymore.
Back in Washington, I found that paying for labor in the field didn't work, nor paying in scrip or produce. However, when I just took volunteers, I got better workers. There is an undercurrent of obligation we have at the individual level of which most people are unaware. Designing group structures often destroys that (not always of course). I speak from experience.
'A central strategy for a real change is to take food out of the competitive market.'
This is the one with hope of success, it will be defined by the natural limits of self provisioning or intersufficiency, families and 'family' groups constituting communities. As a long term follower of the small farm future blog, you will know all the qualifications and caveats. I think it is possibly the most important model to create right now, to show people what it looks and feels like and that it is possible. Is an intersufficient village, providing all its own fuel, fibre and food needs within its locality, outside of the competitive market, possible in Sweden?
In theory, yes, and there have been several such initiatives over the years. Fibre is probably the most challenging, limited to wool, flax, nettle and hemp, and clothing and textile consumption very far from the "norm". For the time being there is growth in Matvärn, which is a bit hard to translate. It is a kind of community food sharing initiative. https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/hon-vill-sprida-kunskap-om-matvarn-dar-mat-delas-utan-betalning
Samodlarna probably was among the first and outstanding in Europe - a pity I couldn't attend its 40 years' celebration. Another example of an early organic cooperative was Naturland Marktgenossenschaft - a consumer/farmer cooperative in Munich. I wasn't among the founders but it existed already before Naturland Association was founded in 1982. It does not exist any longer as independent organisation. Parts respectively responsibilities were taken over by Naturland Association, Naturland Marktgesellschaft of farmers and Ökoring, a regional organic wholesaler.
"Many of the farmers using those distribution networks are not organic or are non-certified organic as there is little value in certification when you do direct marketing."
As I mentioned in my first book, which you have Gunnar, certified organic was originated as a marketing scheme in the US. Perhaps it was in Sweden too. In direct marketing the connection/relationship is 2nd-party, so knowing the farmer uses organic methods (or in my case beyond organic) obviates the need for certification. Here is the next step - the gift economy. I have been flogging this idea for years. (One of the reasons I was canceled on Resilience.org no doubt.)
https://files.libcom.org/files/Mauss%20-%20The%20Gift.pdf
The key to understanding the obligation is that it is group-to-group. My efforts to emphasize obligation is different here in southern France where I now live. I just give as much food away as I can, just like I did when I lived in the US. Us individuals have to do what we can while we wait for other people to catch up. I get the occasional bottle of wine or box of food I don't grow, but there is no downside. I build up my soil by growing more food than I can eat. I don't sell anymore.
Back in Washington, I found that paying for labor in the field didn't work, nor paying in scrip or produce. However, when I just took volunteers, I got better workers. There is an undercurrent of obligation we have at the individual level of which most people are unaware. Designing group structures often destroys that (not always of course). I speak from experience.
'A central strategy for a real change is to take food out of the competitive market.'
This is the one with hope of success, it will be defined by the natural limits of self provisioning or intersufficiency, families and 'family' groups constituting communities. As a long term follower of the small farm future blog, you will know all the qualifications and caveats. I think it is possibly the most important model to create right now, to show people what it looks and feels like and that it is possible. Is an intersufficient village, providing all its own fuel, fibre and food needs within its locality, outside of the competitive market, possible in Sweden?
In theory, yes, and there have been several such initiatives over the years. Fibre is probably the most challenging, limited to wool, flax, nettle and hemp, and clothing and textile consumption very far from the "norm". For the time being there is growth in Matvärn, which is a bit hard to translate. It is a kind of community food sharing initiative. https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/hon-vill-sprida-kunskap-om-matvarn-dar-mat-delas-utan-betalning