Cow up a tree

Members of the LEARN group met the 'cow up a tree' during a night walk on the Avenue des Champs-Elysees. Conceived by an artist of Anglo-Irish origin resident in Australia and displayed in Paris, the sculpture reflects the international nature of this book. Perhaps more profoundly, it captures in metaphorically stark terms the uncertain future that some consider agriculture in the western world to face. This book takes up the challenge to identify strategies to trigger new approaches.

Crises in farming, natural resource use, food systems and rural livelihoods make particular demands on R&D professionals and policy makers. Contributors to this book argue that a much needed response to these crises is to change practices associated with knowing and learning. The book presents case studies from ten countries which exemplify theories and practices that challenge prevailing understandings about learning and knowing in agricultural settings. Contributors explore how stakeholders can