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 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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Decades of interdisciplinary research suggest that fair trade certification may have significant implications for developing more equitable and sustainable agricultural practices. The certification was originally established to support smallholder farming cooperatives in developing countries. However, since 2017 the certification has been available to farms in the U.S. through Fair Trade USA. This study explores the impact of the new certification on farm operations and farmworker well-being at the first Fair Trade USA–certified farm in southern Arizona, from the perspectives of farmworkers, farm management, and supply chain representatives.
In a new JAFSCD article, “Exploring the implications of the Fair Trade USA certification for farmworker health and well-being at the first certified farm in the U.S.,” authors Alissa Bilfield (now at Tulane University) and Edmundo Hernandez present initial findings from an exploratory research study that aimed to explore, document, and understand the implications of the certification for farms in the U.S. for farmworker health and well-being. Corresponding author Alissa Bilfield (now at Tulane University) can be contacted at abilfiel@tulane.edu.
KEY FINDINGS
Through the certification, farmworkers benefit from democratically selected projects supported by fair trade social premiums, ranging from health care to transportation.
Farmworkers report opportunities for participation in decision-making and greater feelings of empowerment and confidence through the fair trade committee governance mechanism.
Farm management and supply chain representatives benefit from improved worker satisfaction, a reduction in risk, and alignment of company values and culture through adoption of the certification.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POLICY, PRACTICE, AND RESEARCH
Future research into the comprehensive impact of the certification for farms and farmworkers could inform more widespread adoption across the U.S. agricultural industry. In addition, best practices from the certification could create more positive impact through integration with pre-existing government standards and requirements. SHARE ON SOCIALS
Explore the impact of #fairtradeUSA and #farmworker #health in the latest article published by @JAFSCD. @uarizona @UW Read for free: https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2023.131.019 |
Photo above: Farmworkers pick strawberries at Lewis Taylor Farms, which is co-owned by William L. Brim and Edward Walker, who have large scale cotton, peanut, vegetable and greenhouse operations in Fort Valley, GA. Photo taken on May 7, 2019, and shared by the USDA Flickr account. |
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Meeting current and future food needs through local, regional, and global food system development will continue to be difficult in a VUCA world — a world that is increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (Persis et al., 2021). Climate change, war, pandemics, industrialization and consolidation, land-grabbing, environmental degradation, and growing inequality present both immediate and long-term challenges. As noted in the recent COP28 climate change conference, food systems and agricultural issues are assuming international importance as sources of global climate and environmental change — as well as parts of the solution (Cooper, 2023). Better outcomes may result from pursuing opportunities inspired by a dramatic re-envisioning, both locally and across political boundaries.
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To this end, JAFSCD announces a call for papers related to community-based circular food systems (C-B CFS). We define C-B CFS as local and regional food systems that emphasize a community’s health and well-being while minimizing waste and protecting shared natural resources. . . . Any meaningful progress toward the wide range of UN Sustainable Development Goals will require a transformative change in the food system, including in production, processing, distribution, retailing, consumption, and the utilization of waste, while promoting human and planetary well-being. . . .
The editorial team welcomes manuscripts from original applied research, literature reviews, historical analyses, projections, public policy analyses, case studies, feasibility studies, reflective essays, life-cycle analyses, post-mortem analyses, and other works that reveal the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats related to current and emerging C-B CFS models. . . . Research of interest may drill deeply into one component of a C-B CFS (see list online) or focus broadly across production-to-consumption stakeholder groups or value-chain components, including waste. However, JAFSCD’s focus requires that community embeddedness be front and center. Commentaries from grassroots organizations that inform C-B CFS research, policy, and practice are also welcomed. . . .
> This is an abbreviated announcement. See the full call at the JAFSCD website!
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See the FULL CALL FOR PAPERS with lots more details — and please share with your colleagues, students, and networks! A PDF is available as well.
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SHARE ON YOUR SOCIALS
JAFSCD announces a call for papers on Community-Based Circular Food Systems — local and regional food systems that emphasize a community’s health and well-being while minimizing waste and protecting shared natural resources. How can changes in food production and consumption toward circularity save natural resources without compromising the nutrient needs of regional populations?
The editorial team welcomes manuscripts from original applied research, literature reviews, historical analyses, projections, public policy analyses, case studies, feasibility studies, reflective essays, life-cycle analyses, and other works that reveal the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats related to current and emerging C-B CFS models. JAFSCD is open access! Lots more detail at https://www.foodsystemsjournal.org/index.php/fsj/call-for-papers
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