Mapping of small-scale farms’ sales and place in the Danish food system

Background:
The ambition of this project is to collect data that can function as a knowledge base when it comes to supporting the success (or lack thereof) of small-scale farmers in the Danish food system. In the same way, the study must develop a decision-making basis that will support the further development of better conditions and frameworks for a more regenerative agricultural and food system in Denmark.

As a farmer, you are both your own field worker, warehouse employee, union representative, finance manager, sales and communication manager and much more. At the same time, we
have a food system in Denmark which caters for varieties suitable for storage as well as large-scale producers who can sell at fixed intervals to the wholesalers and supermarkets.

Only 20% of Danish agricultural land is used for food for humans, and consumers expect to be able to handle most purchases in the same store. If the producers want to bypass these systems, the  consumers can be difficult to reach, and not least, to stick with. But without sales, no finances for next year's production. A sustainable food system also includes economic sustainability. Here, the small-scale producers who use regenerative methods have a potential advantage, as they do not have to incur debt in expensive machinery or become dependent on continued purchases of artificial fertilizers and pesticides/herbicides.

Project partners:
The Network of Regenerative Farmers in Denmark can provide access to farmers across Denmark within small-scale farming.
The network is currently investigating potential partnerships with Danish researchers in order to collaborate on the further scope and execution of the project. 

Proposed method(s):
Qualitative interview/case study combined with quantitative data collection. Possibly combined with a mapping/collection (review paper) of the existing data on sales and turnover among primary producers/gardeners in Denmark who produce food.

Potential angles:
● What marketing strategies do small-scale producers use? Which are most effective? (qualitative)

● Data collection on the existing systems; where are the Danish foods sold? To wholesalers, via supermarkets etc.

● Turnover and profit: how do small-scale producers fare financially? (quantitative) 

● Case study: green market and the market in New York (based on urban planning/municipal interest)

● CSA (community supported agriculture) in Denmark; a mapping of the model and the success rate in Denmark

● Small scale farms and professional kitchens; a look into how professional chefs can support the green transition of the Danish agriculture.

Contact one of the supervisors for project dialog:

Name: Frida Hastrup, Title: Associate Professor, SAXO Institute, HUM. Email: hastrup@hum.ku.dk

Name: Veronika Hansen, Title: Assistant Professor, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, SCIENCE, Email: veha@plen.ku.dk

Name: Mette Weinreich Hansen, Title: Associate Professor, Department of Food and Resource Economics, Section for Consumption, Bioethics and Governance, SCIECE. Emial: mette.weinreich@ifro.ku.dk

Name: Marin Rose Lysák, Title: Postdoc, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Section for Crop Sciences, SCIENCE. Email: marinrr@plen.ku.dk

Name: Maria Andersen, Titel: Coordinator, Foreningen for Regenerativt Jordbrug. Email: kontakt@mariaand.com