Authors:

Nellie Walthery

Date Created:

Not specified

Course Title:

Professor:

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About Paper:

Industrial-scale agriculture disconnects people from their food systems while creating isolated pockets of native habitat. When planning for wide scale sustainable transitions, even as the base principles are in discussion, their implementation often runs into cultural and political roadblocks. At the same time, participation in local, small-scale gardens and farms persist, building from past traditions while allowing room for new viewpoints to develop. The everyday actions and motivations of these spaces are often emblematic of grassroots action already in occurrence. Small scale agricultural sites foster environments that bridge greater connections to local ecosystems and demonstrate the reciprocal support systems at work between agriculture, ecology, and a community at large. My research investigated the connections among people and their environments at three local foods initiatives in Greater Lafayette: Wea Creek Orchard, a local heritage orchard, the Grow Local sharing garden network , in downtown Lafayette, and the Purdue Student Farm. Each exemplifies different aspects of agroecology and agricultural education. I used participant observation, surveys, and walking interviews to examine how (and what) connections to local landscapes are built. I found that hands-on community food initiatives link people with their food systems and their environment, while also contributing to shifts in worldview and value systems.

Source:

Purdue University / 2023

Topics:

No topics listed

Co-authors:

Nellie Walthery