Connecting agriculture and health care at the regional level: contributions from transition theory and institutional entrepreneurship

The authors analyzed two types of regional cooperation. Regional foundations of care farms and care institutions collaborating with a group of farmers. The initiatives were analyzed with a conceptual framework based on transition sciences and institutional entrepreneurship. The presence of a committed institutional entrepreneur with vision, strategic competences and leadership to develop alliances, institutional support and legitimacy in the agricultural and care sector is important for developing a successful regional foundation of care farms. To establish a successful collaboration between a care institution and a group of farmers, support from the board of directors is crucial. The initiator in the care institution needs this authority to implement it in the organization. History and culture of regions and organizations are important aspects to take into account.