A historical account of agroecology as a science, a practice, and a movement

Background/Question/Methods

Agroecology is the participatory action and change that brings sustainability, security, equity, and resilience to all parts of the food system - from ecological, to economic, to social components.  To do this, agroecology must simultaneously function as a science, as productive practice, and as a social movement.  I will review the historical roots of agroecology in ecosystem science and cultural ecology, and how the agroecosystem concept became to be known as a purposeful system where humans design and manage food systems with sustainability as the ultimate goal. 

Results/Conclusions

A process for guiding and evaluating the changes needed to transform food systems using agroecology is based in a holistic, ecosystem view of food system sustainability.