1. Evolutionary Farming Systems A socio-technical analysis of MetFarms experimental vertical farming based in Amsterdam

2. Content Problem statement Research questions The case Analytical framework Methodology, methods and techniques Results Discussion 3. Problem statement Social science issues Climate change, population growth, food security Innovative farming techniques LED grow lights, hydroponics, aquaponics, vertical farming Analyze the socio-technical evolution of a food production facility entirely engineered in an urban environment 4. Research questions What are the sociotechnical processes of change involved in the making of a technological system? How is the network in the technological system formed and reformed over time? What are the processes of making? How are rules and protocols (or lack thereof) embodied within the organization? 5. Case study Unit of analysis: MetFarm 6. Case study Unit of analysis: MetFarm 7. Case study Unit of analysis: MetFarm 8. Analytical framework Hughess technological systems Physical artifacts, organizations, scientific components, legislative artifacts, and natural resources Latours actor-network theory (ANT) no groups, only group formation; objects too have agency 9. Methodology: Technography Making Construction of rules 10. Methods and techniques Participant observation Semi-structured interviews Informal interviews (coffee/lunch chat) Field notes Photos and video Coding 11. RESULTS 1. MetFarm as a group 2. Making 3. Routines, rituals, procedures 12. Results 1 MetFarm as a group MetFarm in several configurations Significance of the internet Importance of [good] networking 13. Results 1 - First configuration 14. Results 1 - Second configuration 15. Results 2 Making Human x technology interaction Learning Successes and failures 16. Results 2 - Making 17. Water flow test video 18. Results 2 - Making 19. Results 3 - Rules, rituals and procedures Government rules vs. MetFarm rules 20. Results 3 - Rules, rituals and procedures Routines and rituals Water testing, feeding, nutrients, eating 21. Discussion Evolutionary processes: invention, development, innovation, technology transfer, growth/competition/consolidation, momentum An idea spurs group formation; adding components stabilizes the system 22. Discussion Processes of making: Design Resource acquisition Building Testing & modification Running and monitoring Rules shape everyday activities ANT strong conceptual tool; weak theoretical tool 23. Thank you for your attention Questions are welcome