Discovering and resolving value, goat breeders’ local knowledge in Sardinia

With my dissertation I provide evidence that qualitative research methods with photo-elicitation tools is a meaningful method in working to restore local knowledge for the conservation of agro-forestry ecosystems in Sardinia. With interviews and observations I interact with three goat breeders in Nuoro province, for the purpose of recovering local knowledge and to understand the complexity of ecosystem conservation. Goat breeders have been chosen, because they interact-with and depend -on forests. They have first-hand experience in adapting their daily practices to surviving in complex ecosystems. The value of photography as a tool for eliciting farmer knowledge is not yet recognized as intellectual pursuit nor in forestry nor in animal husbandry sciences. In my opinion the concept of modernity which is based on the reductionist and mechanistic science, has induced mankind to study and manage the resources for individual and independent advantages and needs. In order for agriculture to be sustainable, in my country or in Sardinia, I must have these skills, so I can include local farmer knowledge in the important decisions I make as an educator of students, faculty, and farmers.