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Agriculture and Human Values (2021) 38:1139–1159
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10460-021-10225-x
Veganic farming intheUnited States: farmer perceptions, motivations,
andexperiences
MonaSeymour1· AlishaUtter2
Accepted: 22 May 2021 / Published online: 7 June 2021
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. 2021
Abstract
Veganic agriculture, often described as farming that is free of synthetic and animal-based inputs, represents an alternative
to chemical-based industrial agriculture and the prevailing alternative, organic agriculture, respectively. Despite the promise
of veganic methods in diverse realms such as food safety, environmental sustainability, and animal liberation, it has a small
literature base. This article draws primarily on interviews conducted in 2018 with 25 veganic farmers from 19 farms in the
United States to establish some baseline empirical research on this farming community. Its qualitative perspectives illu-
minate farmer perceptions of and experiences with veganic growing, including definitions, knowledge acquisition, values,
and challenges. Results highlight a lack of agreement about the meaning of veganic agriculture in terms of allowable inputs
and scope. Participants have drawn on a wide array of veganic and non-veganic resources to ascend their veganic produc-
tion learning curves, also relying on experimentation and trial-and-error. Their farming is motivated by a diversity of real
and perceived benefits, most notably consistency with veganism, food safety advantages, and plant and soil health benefits.
Veganic product sourcing and the dearth of veganic agriculture-specific resources present considerable challenges to farm-
ers. The article briefly discusses possibilities for developing veganic agriculture in the United States, such as through a
US-based certification system and farmers’ associations, based on considerations of the trajectory of the US organic farming
movement and veganic developments in Europe. Finally, the article suggests the importance of expanded research into soil
health and fertility in plant-based systems to support practicing and potential veganic farmers.
Keywords Veganic· Vegan organic· Stockfree organic· Biocyclic-vegan· Sustainable agriculture
Abbreviations
CNG Certified Naturally Grown
CSA Community-supported agriculture
GAP Good Agricultural Practice
GMO Genetically modified organism
OFG Organic Farming and Gardening
SARE Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education
VAN Veganic Agriculture Network
VON Vegan Organic Network
Introduction
Interest in alternatives to industrial, chemical-based agri-
culture and its environmental and social consequences
continues to mount. Organic, agroecological, and regen-
erative approaches are often prominent in the discussion of
alternatives. While these paradigms demonstrate some key
differences from one another, one of their commonalities
is the centrality of farmed animals and/or animal manures
and products to each. These models are therefore difficult
or unfeasible for farmers whose financial or geographic
circumstances preclude animal agriculture, and are unac-
ceptable to farmers who do not envision farmed animals or
their wastes and remains as part of an agricultural system.
Another alternative approach which addresses all of these
issues is veganic agriculture.1 Also commonly known as
* Mona Seymour
mona.seymour@lmu.edu
Alisha Utter
autter@uvm.edu
1 Department ofUrban andEnvironmental Studies, Loyola
Marymount University, 1 LMU Drive, LosAngeles,
CA90045, USA
2 Department ofPlant andSoil Science, University
ofVermont, 63 Carrigan Drive, Burlington, VT05405, USA
1 Veganic farmers, advocacy organizations, researchers, journal-
ists, and other actors currently use both “veganic” and “veganics” as
shorthand for “veganic agriculture.” “Veganic” was the colloquial-
ism of choice for farmers quoted in this article, and it is used at some
points in this article outside of direct quotations.
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