ENOAT (European Network of Organic Agriculture Teachers) is a network that gathers lecturers and researchers who teach organic agriculture at University. The network was created in 2006 and has around twenty member universities in 20 European countries. ISARA has been a member of the network since its creation and was one of the co-founder
The network aims to:
- exchange ideas on how to teach organic agriculture in order to train and prepare our students to support organic stakeholders in the challenges they face
- facilitate the exchange of teaching practices and materials used in organic farming training courses
- design new forms of teaching to adapt to changing contexts and new student expectations.
The ENOAT network meets once a year to discuss members’ news and various teaching initiatives. In 2023, the network created a 100% online teaching module in English on Organic Farming in Europe. Between 70 and 90 students take the module each year.
The module offers a tour of Europe, looking at the development of organic farming in 14 European countries. It enables students to understand how the specific characteristics of each country (historical, topographical, political, etc.) influence the development pattern of organic farming , supply chains and markets: Why do some countries have a highly developed organic farming sector but a very weak domestic market for organic products? What public policies are in place to support the development of organic farming, supply chains and consumption in different countries?
Students taking the module must then work in groups to carry out a comparative study of the specific characteristics and differences observed in two European countries. The aim is for them to discuss the factors that may explain these specificities and then put themselves in the shoes of a policy maker and formulate recommendations for public action to address the challenges encountered in the countries studied!
Around ten ISARA students take the module each year. It runs from October to January on Thursday afternoons.
Contact: Audrey Vincent avincent@isara.fr
