Agrileisure: re-imagining the relationship between agriculture, leisure, and social change

The role of farms and agricultural spaces is shifting and expanding. What was once primarily a space for work and production is now a de facto locus of rural and urban social change, illustrated by activities such as farm-based agritourism, home-based hobby farming, rural/urban farmers' markets and community-supported agriculture. In addition, agricultural spaces are seen by some as family-friendly places for recreation, education, small-scale production and personal growth. Much has been said to describe the importance of farming and local food as social movements, but in terms of leisure studies, current thinking leaves off after farm tourism. This suggests the need for a conceptual framework that addresses those who engage both the supply and demand sides of agriculture for the purposes of leisure and recreation. To this end, we present “Agrileisure” – an introductory framework with theoretical roots in leisure studies, ecology, sociology, psychology, social justice and geography.