Description:

Introduction
Fellow Fields is an app supporting Kiwi farmers' transition to more regenerative farming practices by facilitating the sharing of knowledge, tools, and observations around regenerative agriculture systems across New Zealand.

Regenerative Agriculture is a symbiotic approach to farming that, among other benefits, can sequester carbon from the atmosphere and help mitigate the effects of climate change. Fellow fields use interactive design to facilitate regenerative knowledge exchange across New Zealand with the aim of empowering farmers on the frontline of the climate crisis.

Research Insights
My inquiry was led by a design thinking methodology to uncover the problem and tackle it from a human-centred, iterative approach. Empathising with regenerative stakeholders and farmers through interviews revealed that becoming regenerative goes beyond changing on-farm practices; it requires a shift in mindset that challenges traditional ideas of farm health, progress and success. Embracing these shifting values carries a social stigma that can isolate farmers from peers they rely on for decision-making support.

Field days are an integral part of becoming regenerative and connecting with a like-minded support base throughout the learning process. When attending a physical field day isn’t possible due to lockdown, location, or farm responsibilities, farmers currently share regenerative observations and discuss learnings through a Facebook group. A market analysis identified a gap to bring this experience onto a dedicated mobile platform.

Approach
Embracing unconventional regenerative farming practices that challenge the idea of industrial agriculture carries a social stigma that can isolate farmers from their support base, hindering the adoption of regenerative agriculture or perseverance in the field.

The design challenge investigated how interactive design could support social resilience among the next generation of Kiwi farmers practising regenerative agriculture. The goal was to ease the sense of intimidation and help farmers embrace a regenerative mindset to re-evaluate their idea of health, progress, and success on their farms.
The fellow fields app supports social resilience among Kiwi farmers by facilitating the sharing of knowledge, experiences, and ideas around regenerative farming practices. The nature of the app befits farmers’ highly active lifestyles and encourages frequent, easy access to a regenerative support hub through their smartphones. The experience integrates social mapping and cartographic storytelling as a means to lift up the power of local knowledge and enable users to easily connect with nearby farms on similar journeys..

Summary
Ultimately, Kiwi farmers shifting towards regenerative practices could benefit from a dedicated platform connecting them to a support base of fellow farmers. This project demonstrates the power of interactive design in fostering connectivity among distant communities to empower positive, community-driven change. The connections I’ve formed within New Zealand's regenerative farming community throughout my research journey have ignited a passion for user research and continuing to use my digital skills as a creative in this field. I would like to acknowledge Linnburn Station and Symbiosis Agriculture for their contributions and support to this project.