In the world of industrial agriculture people strive to reconnect with their local farmers and learn more about traditional and organic food practices. Tours and classes are normally a good outlet for that. However, they require a significant time commitment. What if local plant knowledge was accessible as a bite-size engaging afternoon activity?
Local Roots is an outdoor museum installation that offers a curated introduction into the local food practices. Visitors touch different plants or parts of plants to start hearing related stories. These are told by local farmers, gardening teachers, wilderness tutors and sustainable agriculture enthusiasts.
Design Process & Inspiration
Surveys and open-ended interviews with growers and local experts followed the initial extensive market research. Workshops with peers helped iterate the plant-installation interaction. A tangible interaction with the plant (a touch sensing technology) has inspired the final solution. And finally, user tests with unprepared public as well as experts helped focus the final concept.
