Gabrielle Halpern is a doctor of philosophy, a research associate and a graduate of the École Normale Supérieure. She deciphers for us weak signals and unlikely marriages in the agricultural world.
Gabrielle Halpern has a doctorate in philosophy, is a research associate and a graduate of the École Normale Supérieure. She worked in various ministerial offices before participating in the development of start-ups and advising companies and public institutions. Her research work focuses on hybridisation and she is the author of "Tous centaures! Éloge de l'hybridation", Le Pommier, 2020. She deciphers for us weak signals and unlikely marriages in the agricultural world.
Hybridization... but what are we talking about?
We are witnessing a phenomenon of hybridization in our world that affects many areas of our lives. Hybrid is what is mixed, heterogeneous, contradictory, it is everything that does not fit into our boxes, it is the fruit of improbable marriages. Everything is hybrid: objects, jobs, places, services, sectors, materials, or even modes of consumption and marketing.
NIMA, agricultural entrepreneurs, start-ups, ... new words for a new reality in the agricultural world?
We are indeed witnessing a renewal of the agricultural lexicon: it is no longer a question of being a farm manager, but a business manager. It is no longer a question of "exploiting", but of building a new pact with Nature. In the same way, we are seeing the emergence of the terminology "living professions", which encompasses professions in agriculture, fishing, agri-food, landscapes and forestry. The increasing arrival of NIMAs (not from the agricultural world), ecological awareness, the digital transition and the need to diversify income are transforming agriculture, as well as its trades, economic and organisational models. As language is alive, it also follows and expresses this trend towards hybridisation.
Your view of the current evolution of the agricultural world leads you to speak of a "New Natural Contract" that will enable the reconciliation of humans and nature. What are the traces of this?
In the same way that philosophers spoke a few centuries ago of a 'social contract', today we could speak of a new 'natural contract' between man, animals and the earth. Culture, animal husbandry, professional and private life are all evolving towards a different relationship with living beings. This philosophy manifests itself in increased attention to the biological rhythms of each person (earth, animal, human), and in a desire to move towards greater fulfilment. For example, the implementation of dynamic rotational grazing combines better care of the land and the animals. This example illustrates the search for synergies between respect for the land, animals and people. The contradictions were overcome in the invention of a third working method.
And tomorrow ... how hybrid farmers?
As a result of this hybridization trend, tomorrow, farms will be open, transformed into third places, mixing co-working, training, art or even catering. The hybrid economic activities could even include composting waste or producing energy for the territory. Anchored in the city and committed, the societal role of agricultural workers will become strategic in territorial development, due to the new links created with public decision-makers, businesses, schools and associations. Hybridization is an opportunity for agriculture!
For more information: www.gabriellehalpern.com
