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Dear All Final Call for Papers The panel is part of the XI World Congress of Rural Sociology, Trondheim, Norway, July 25 - 30, 2004 (www.irsa-world.org/XI/) A post-Organic Future? Assessing and understanding the role of the global Organic movement. After the recent rapid growth of the Organic movement throughout most of the world, there has been a vigorous debate about whether the movement has been able to make any changes to the dominant agro-food system or whether it has already been incorporated into the dominant systems of capitalism. This leads to the question of whether the future is post-Organic or whether the resistance offered by the movement is only just beginning. This panel seeks to assess the role of the Organic movement within contemporary societies through a variety of levels of discussion and debate. * Movement history & dynamics – each national Organic movement has a history which is often only partially or episodically understood. Cultural differences – several movements appear to have been stimulated by people either moving from urban areas to rural ones, or between nations, so diffusing the techniques and ideology of Organic farming. A new analysis of role of migrants in changing the culture of rural areas and farming techniques could provide valuable insights into the innovations of Organic agriculture. Markets and sustainability – whilst there is wide agreement that organic agriculture constitutes a social movement, large areas of movement activity have yet to be analysed. In particular; the relationship between the Organic movement and the Organic industry. The market has allowed the Organic industry to grow at the same time but this appears to have created a tension with the sustainability goals of the movement. The trajectory of Organic foods in the market place, the environmental impact of specific products and the compromises and conflicts of the market place could all form the subject matter of important new investigations. Policy studies – national and trans-national policy mechanisms have had an important role in helping to either develop or thwart the Organic movement. These could be further analysed or compared between regions, nations or regimes, drawing on both theoretical models and specific examples. In particular the role of food and agricultural policies needs further examination in relation both to each other and to their consequences in terms of stimulating demand and supply. Plus rural development policies need to be addressed in terms of their socio- spatial networks. This panel invites contributions on these themes from concerned scholars, particularly welcoming contributions from post- graduate students and academics engaged with the movement. Abstracts of 250-300 words by the 12 February to the convenors. Submit an abstract on-line at www.irsa-world.org/XI/ Matt Reed([log in to unmask]) or Dr. Georgina Holt, ([log in to unmask]) Thanks Matt Matt