C-FAR II Visioning Retreat

Approximately 50 people convened at in Monticello, Illinois, March 11-13, 1997 for the C-FAR II Visioning Retreat. The event was sponsored by C-FAR (the Council on Food and Agricultural Research) with support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and was facilitated by Duane Dale (DFD Associates, Cambridge, Massachusetts).

During the 48 hours of the retreat, participants engaged in small and large group discussion and individual reflection aimed at clarifying possible futures (scenarios) and preferred futures (vision) for the Illinois food and agriculture systems. The retreat produced a one-page vision statement which is included in the full report. Three themes figured prominently in discussions and in the vision statement: adaptability, opportunity, and information. These will be reviewed in turn.

Adaptability, opportunity and information. These three themes emerged during the C-FAR II Visioning Retreat at Allerton Park in March.

Nearly 50 people convened to discuss possible and preferred futures of the Illinois food and agricultural systems. During the retreat, participants engaged in small and large group discussions and individual reflection. In a report, available from the C-FAR Liaison Office, facilitator Duane Dale of DFD Associates summarized key ideas:

Adaptability. Many different events, trends, and decisions will shape the context in which Illinois food and agriculture systems operate. It is impossible to foresee changing that context accurately, but the impact of changes will at times be substantial. The food and agricultural systems are envisioned as having the capacity to adapt rapidly so as to continue to thrive and prosper. Activities that support such adaptability include:

• monitoring of trends to provide early notice of emerging realities, so that the Illinois agriculture and food systems won't be caught by surprise by changing market demands, regulatory concerns, etc.

• timely, leading edge research that enables the food and agriculture systems to address problems and participate in emerging opportunities.

• dissemination that provides ready access to such monitoring and research information, so that everyone can be an early adapter when appropriate.

Opportunity. The opportunity to start food and agriculture enterprises and to succeed at various scales of operation is valued. Research and information access should be "scale neutral" -- which is to say that they should be equally relevant and accessible to operations of various scales. For research, this could mean that all funded projects are scale neutral or, more realistically, that the overall portfolio of funded research projects is balanced in the size of operations to which its benefits are likely to accrue.

Information.Widespread, timely, and convenient access by all interested parties to a rich array of information is a valued goal and part of the participants' vision of the future. This will include research information generated at the state universities and elsewhere, market and regulatory information, and perhaps the experiential knowledge developed by practitioners. It will be practical information, relevant to whatever problems its users may need to address. Information access will be scale-neutral, consistent with the opportunity theme, above. A range of technologies will be used to meet the criteria stated here.

Throughout the retreat, a number of underlying values were stated in various ways: a safe and secure food, fiber, feed, and fuel system; healthy, well-nourished children, youth, and families; greater harmony between agriculture and the environment; enhanced economic opportunity and quality of life for citizens and communities.

A range of follow-up measures should be pursued. These include finalizing and endorsing the retreat's vision statement; establishing a monitoring capacity to provide early notice of emerging trends and realities; placing the themes of adaptability and opportunity onto the agendas of C-FAR's working groups, research administrators, and researchers; and establishing a C-FAR information system to disseminate information in a variety of relevant categories. Duane Dale, 4/10/97

Executive Summary Agenda About Vision Emerging Themes Scenarios for the Future Values and Vision

Participant's Reactions Follow-up Activities Draft Vision Statement Trend Gallery Topics Next Generation Attendees