Abstract
Local grain economies are being developed in North America and Europe as alternatives to the global grain economy and its negative externalities. Little is known, however, about their size, structure, and sustainability, in particular as they evolve. This study offers such insights from a case study of the local grain economy in Arizona. The study uses an analytical framework that combines quantitative and qualitative data and a number of analytical methods to construct a multidimensional profile of the local grain economy. The findings indicate steady growth of the local grain economy in Arizona—in production quantities, range of businesses, diversity of products, and local economy benefits over a number of developmental stages. The findings also suggest that challenges of consolidation, transparency, and other growth issues might undermine its sustainability. The insights can inform the further development of the local grain economy in Arizona and other regions. The study also provides a framework that, through comparative research, allows for creating generalized knowledge about local grain economies and alternative food networks.
Highlights
Many regions of North America and Europe have been re-localizing their grain economy over the last decade (Carlisle, 2019; Halloran, 2015; Smith & Barling, 2014)
Emerging in the 1990s and gaining momentum since the late 2000s, local grain economies have grown in size and number, often as grassroots initiatives driven by passionate individuals (Halloran, 2015; Nabhan, 2018; Sen, 2008; Thomas, 2013)
The aggregate total area planted and production quantity of grains grown for the local grain economy increased from zero in 2011 to over 400 acres
Summary
Many regions of North America and Europe have been re-localizing their grain economy over the last decade (Carlisle, 2019; Halloran, 2015; Smith & Barling, 2014). Examples exist in New York (Halloran, 2015), New England (Halloran, 2015; Jones & Harvey, 2017), Western Washington (Hills et al, 2013a), British Columbia (Hergesheimer & Wittman, 2012), England (Steavenson, 2019), Scotland (Robinson, 2020), Lower Austria (Milestad, BartelKratochvil, Leitner, & Axman, 2010), Tuscany (Galli et al, 2015), and elsewhere They typically consist of a network of small farmers, millers, bakers, maltsters, and brewers, sustainably growing wheat and barley, often of heritage and ancient varieties, operating within local or regional supply chains, and committed to quality, craft, identity, and provenance (Halloran, 2015; Hergesheimer & Wittman, 2012; Hills, Corbin, & Jones, 2011; Jones & Harvey, 2017; Steavenson, 2019)
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