Agroecology is increasingly seen as a critical pathway to building sustainable and resilient food systems. However, practical examples of successful implementation remain scarce, leaving a gap in accessible, actionable guidance for farmers and decision-makers. In particular, an assessment of agroecological practices used on the ground against the 13 Principles of Agroecology is lacking. These principles play a pivotal role in shaping policies and investment strategies geared towards agroecology, making alignment essential for scaling-up agroecological transitions. Therefore, there is a need for tangible, on-the-ground demonstrations of how these principles work and where gaps in alignment need to be addressed. ASAPP seeks to fill this gap by documenting and sharing case studies from around the world. 

Given this context, ASAPP is driven by two core objectives: 

• Spotlighting practical applications of the 13 Principles of Agroecology in contrasting farming contexts, offering farmers concrete examples they can adapt to their needs. 

• Supporting the development and refinement of the Agroecology Assessment Framework by testing its applicability in real-world settings. 

ASAPP collaborates with farmers across Europe, South America, Oceania, Southeast Asia, and Eastern Africa to explore specific practices that align with the 13 Principles of Agroecology. Using a case study approach, we are examining how these practices vary across regions and how they address local challenges. 

Data is collected through a survey based on the Agroecology Assessment Framework, developed by the Agroecology Coalition. This framework allows us to systematically assess how each of the 13 Principles of Agroecology are met in different contexts, following predefined categories and examples. We ask farmers to self-assess their degree of alignment with each of the 13 Principles of Agroecology, their so called “agroecologicalness” or degree of agroecological integration. Each principle is rated on a scale from 1 to 5, with 1 indicating no alignment and 5 indicating a strong alignment.  

The findings are then distilled into visual-centric leaflets, following a principle-by-principle structure, to clearly demonstrate how agroecology can be applied on farms worldwide. Photographic work is central to this initiative, providing a visual repository of agroecological practices. 

By making these case studies easy to understand and replicate, ASAPP provides farmers and agricultural advisors with practical insights and actionable steps for adopting agroecological practices tailored to their specific needs. In doing so, we also enrich the Agroecology Assessment Framework by documenting previously unrecorded practices and amplifying farmers’ voices in discussions about effective agroecological strategies across agricultural regions. 

The broader impact of ASAPP 

Demonstrating alignment between on-the-ground practices and the 13 Principles of Agroecology is essential for attracting future support. Donors and funding organisations focused on sustainable agriculture are increasingly looking for evidence of successful agroecological transitions. ASAPP’s findings will contribute to reinforcing this evidence, helping to secure the funding and resources needed to expand these practices and foster long-term change. 

Alnarp’s Agroecology Farm

Established in 2021 by a group of agroecology master’s students, this small-scale, non-profit farm, stands as an example of the power of community-driven, agroecological farming. Read the full case study, developed in collaboration with the farm. 

See the farm come to life in this photo story:
A living laboratory for agroecology and social change

Read more about the farm’s impact:
Seeds for global change planted in the Swedish village of Alnarp

Panela Cheia Agroecological Farm

Founded in 1995 in Itaberá, Brazil, the women-led COOPLANTAS cooperative transitioned to agroecology in 2000, promoting sustainable cultivation of medicinal plants. Located within a Land Reform Settlement of the Landless Workers’ Movement (MST), the cooperative symbolizes resistance against Brazil’s entrenched inequalities. MST, the largest organic food producer in Brazil, supports over 1.5 million people, advocating for land redistribution, social justice, and empowering marginalized groups, especially women and Afro-Brazilian communities. Read the full case study in English and in Portuguese.

See the farm come to life in this story:
Rural women in agroecology at Panela Cheia farm and COOPLANTAS

Jonai Farms & Meatsmiths

Jonai Farms and Meatsmiths is a family farm in Dja Dja Wurrung country, Central Highlands, Victoria, Australia.
In 2013, Jonai Farms became Australia’s first to crowdfund a licensed on-farm butcher’s shop, followed by a curing room and commercial kitchen a year later. This enabled them to produce zero-waste, nose-to-tail offerings like charcuterie, stocks, and soaps—crafted locally and free from corporate influence. Read the full case study.

See the farm come to life in this story:
Savouring the world while saving it: the story of Jonai Farms and Meatsmiths