Exploring relational farming futures for responsible innovation in precision agriculture through Q-method and speculative design

Authors

• Bhavna Joshi, Virginia Tech
• Maaz Gardezi, Virginia TechFollow
• Edward Prutzer, Germanna Community College
• Awais Hameed Khan, The University of Queensland
• Asim Zia, University of Vermont
• Benjamin E. K. Ryan, University of Vermont
• Ali Dadkhah, University of Vermont
• Donna M. Rizzo, University of Vermont
• John T. McMaine, University of KentuckyFollow
• David Clay, South Dakota State University

Abstract

This article draws on concepts of speculative design and responsible innovation to examine the possible impacts of data-driven precision agriculture on farmers and farm work. We use an innovative mixed-method approach to research design. Using artistic depiction of futures of precision agriculture in design workshop and in-depth semistructured interviews conducted with the farmers in Vermont and South Dakota, we explain how farmers perceive different futures of precision agriculture. Specifically, in our design workshop, we combined visual arts and social science methods, namely Q-method, to explore existing and new relationships between humans, technologies, and environment in the design, deployment, and use of data, algorithms, and automation in agriculture. Results from the Q-method and accompanying interviews reveal four distinct typologies: (a) farmers who believe that no technology can fully control nature but still recognize the value of innovative tools; (b) those who see precision agriculture technologies like grid-mapping as valuable for improving operational efficiency; (c) those who envision automation as central to the future of agriculture; and (d) others who anticipate the growing role of tech-savvy organizations and experts in supporting decision-making on the ground. Our study suggests that despite the techno-optimism demonstrated by farmers, many still desire to stay deeply involved and active in on-farm decision-making. This study shows that inclusive and anticipatory methods such as Q-methodology and design workshops can help surface farmers’ preferred futures while accounting for human–nonhuman interdependencies.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2026

Notes/Citation Information

© The Author(s) 2026

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.1177/20539517261455628

Funding Information

The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This work was supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, National Science Foundation, (grant numbers 2023-67023-40216, 2026431, 2202706).

Repository Citation

Joshi, Bhavna; Gardezi, Maaz; Prutzer, Edward; Khan, Awais Hameed; Zia, Asim; Ryan, Benjamin E. K.; Dadkhah, Ali; Rizzo, Donna M.; McMaine, John T.; and Clay, David, "Exploring relational farming futures for responsible innovation in precision agriculture through Q-method and speculative design" (2026). Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications. 260.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/bae_facpub/260