In The Accidental Seed Heroes, Adam Alexander meets a range of seed innovators, who are not only championing traditional varieties but also breeding delicious new ones that will help create a sustainable future for our planet.

Using data covering most of the global economy over 1993–2021, this study reports ten stylized facts about labour reallocation amid structural transformation. As incomes grow, labour exits primary production while downstream agrifood value chain segments maintain a steady economy-wide employment share—offering jobs that pay better than farm work. 

As labor shortages are a growing challenge in the U.S., this study explores Californian farmers’ response to labour shortages. It finds increasing wages is the most common adaptation strategy, followed by cultivation practices, adoption of labour saving technology, and the use of farm labor contractors.