Cultivating Sustainability: Quebec’s Living Labs as Ecological Catalysts

Abstract

Agriculture is often considered a major factor in environmental degradation. This case study delves into the use of sociotechnical experiments—and, more specifically, agroecosystem living labs (ALLs)—to facilitate the transition of conventional agricultural practices toward heightened sustainability. Our research indicates that achieving successful collaboration, such as an experiment, necessitates the alignment of expectations, the establishment of trust, the cultivation of patience, and the allocation of substantial resources. This investigation into agroecosystem living labs contributes to our comprehension of the actors’ networks, their interactions with experimental sites, and the dynamics of open innovation.