from the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development |
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JAFSCD is the world’s only community-supported journal. JAFSCD content is open access (free) thanks to the generous support of our shareholders: the JAFSCD Shareholder Consortium, Library Shareholders, a growing number of Individual Shareholders, and our seven JAFSCD Partners: |
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The food system built upon conventional industrial agriculture is a significant driver of the current climate crisis. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has called for nations to produce food agroecologically in alignment with natural ecosystems and have identified women as leaders in agroecology projects in countries throughout the world.
Previous research about agroecology and women has been concentrated in low-income nations to demonstrate the economic development that could be achieved through women’s empowerment. High-income nations are often sites of gender inequality as well, although less research exists about how these nations could benefit from the equal empowerment of women in agriculture and food production.
In a new JAFSCD article, “Using TAPE to assess agroecology on women-led farms in the U.S.: Support for environmental and social practices,” Lianna Gomori-Ruben (corresponding author) and Chantal D. Reid present findings from an exploratory case study aimed at understanding the practices and approaches of women farmers in the United States in relation to global principles of agroecology, and evaluating how the United States could benefit from increasing gender equality in farming and food production.
KEY FINDINGS - 90% of participants operated farms at ≤100 acres (≤40 ha) and most used direct sales methods through farmers markets, CSAs, farm stands, and online sales.
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Half of participants offered opportunities for intergenerational engagement with either younger people (≤18 years old) and/or older people (≥65 years old).
- 84% of participants reported that they teach, train, and share knowledge with others.
- 47% of participants reported practicing organic farming, although only 21% reported participating in the National Organic Program.
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Participants were most confident in the agroecology of their crop diversity, soil management, and pest management. They were least confident in their water management and their input procurement.
- Farms of 50-100 acres (20-40 ha) were most likely to integrate animals into their management practices.
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Region was significant for agroecology practices, where farms in the Southeast U.S. were most likely to identify with conventional agricultural practices than in other regions.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POLICY, PRACTICE, AND RESEARCH -
Policies and programs that invest in women farmers would extend food access because women farmers build social capital through direct sales models and social programs that reach marginalized consumers.
- Policies and programs that invest in women farmers would strengthen community nutrition and regional food culture due to women farmers’ emphasis on transmitting food production and food preparation skills.
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Providing training about water management, input procurement, and traditional indigenous farming techniques to women would strategically expand their capacity to effectuate an agroecological transition.
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Government programs that center the needs of small farms would also support the needs of women farmers. Support for farmers on small farms would include programs to develop infrastructure, build online marketing platforms, access markets, subsidize farm wages, and implement regenerative practices. Women farmers also seek relief for health care, childcare, and student loan expenses.
SHARE ON YOUR SOCIALS
Suggested Facebook post: Women are leaders of agroecology projects worldwide. How do women farmers in the U.S. advance resilient sustainable food systems through practicing agroecology? Learn more about how women farmers in the U.S. align with global principles of agroecology in this study conducted by Duke University. Read the JAFSCD article for free: https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2023.131.003
Suggested Tweet: Women are leaders of #agroecology projects worldwide. How do #womenfarmers in the #USA advance sustainable & resilient food systems through agroecology? See findings from new case study from @DukeU Read @JAFSCD article for free: https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2023.131.003 |
Photo above: Liz Whitehurst, owner/operator of Owl’s Nest Farm, harvests ground cherries. Photo provided and used with permission. |
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Announcing a New JAFSCD Workshop Series
JAFSCD Wicked Problems in Food Systems Workshop Series
Achieving Circularity in Local and Regional Food Systems Development
Workshop co-sponsored by the North American Food Systems Network (NAFSN)
Thursday, November 16, at 9:00-10:30 CT / 10:00-11:30 ET / 3:00-4:30 GMT
Registration is required. A link to the recording and resources will be sent following the session to all who registered. |
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BACKGROUND
Any meaningful progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals is going to require transformative changes in the food system while promoting human and planetary well-being (van Zanten et al., 2023). This will include changes across the food system — in the production, processing, distribution, retailing, consumption, and waste management of food. Moreover, achieving circularity in local and regional food systems will be critical to averting current and future climate-driven social and ecological disasters.
JAFSCD has drafted a call for papers entitled “Community-Based Circular Food Systems: Meeting current and future food needs through local and regional food systems development” (see the draft HERE). Papers in response to the call will be published in a special issue of JAFSCD. Prior to the formal announcement of the call, we will be conducting a workshop with circularity experts who will address three important questions: - How can or should circularity be defined in the context of local and regional food systems development?
- What are the critical issues for localizing and regionalizing food systems circularity that emphasize social justice and community health and well-being, while minimizing waste and protecting shared natural resources?
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How can these goals be achieved together through circularity?
SPEAKERS - Maria Alonso-Martinez, Junior Officer, Circular Development, International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (Netherlands)
- Dr. Michael Kotutwa Johnson (Hopi), Assistant Specialist, Indigenous Resiliency Center, University of Arizona (USA)
- Felipe Cozim Melges, PhD Candidate, Farming Systems Ecology group, Wageningen University (Brazil and Netherlands)
Host: Duncan Hilchey, Editor-in-chief, Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development (USA)
Facilitator: Dr. Jacob Park, Associate Professor, Vermont State University, Castleton Campus (USA) and Visiting Professor, University of Johannesburg (South Africa)
Please note that the time chosen is to accommodate European and North American Participants
Thursday, November 16, at 9:00-10:30 CT / 10:00-11:30 ET / 3:00-4:30 GMT Image above courtesy of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. |
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The spia who loved food
Curious about the inner workings of Slow Food? Read the JAFSCD book review by Natasha Bernstein Bunzl (New York U) of Slow Food: The Economy and Politics of a Global Movement, by Valeria Siniscalch.
Read the review for free. |
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