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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On-campus urban farms stand as vital hubs for fostering agricultural education and community engagement. By delving into the challenges faced by staff members and student workers at an on-campus urban farm run by a college, we seek to identify nuanced areas for improvement in the management, communication, and promotion of the farm’s work.
In a new JAFSCD commentary, “Staff and student engagement on and perceptions of a college campus’s urban farm
,” authors Marc T. Sager, Lily Binford, and Anthony Petrosino present a snapshot into the experiences and perspectives of college students and staff engaged in an on-campus urban farm run by a college. Understanding their perspectives is crucial for cultivating an environment that maximizes the potential of college campus farming initiatives.
KEY FINDINGS Some students and staff have negative perceptions of on-campus farm positions as low-status work. There is a need for clear and effective leadership to ensure that students’ ideas and concerns are not overlooked.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POLICY, PRACTICE, AND RESEARCH Addressing the disconnect between the educational and career value of on-campus farming and students’ negative perceptions is pivotal. Integrating college-level farming initiatives with academic programs could enhance the perceived value of the work, fostering a sense of purpose and alignment with students’ career goals. SHARE ON YOUR SOCIALS Does your campus have an urban farm? Interested in urban agriculture? #urbanfarming #campusfarm Don't miss out on this commentary from @JAFSCD for free: https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2024.132.004 |
Photo above: One of the rows of raised beds at the college campus's urban farm. Photo courtesy of the authors. |
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A series of Economic Pamphleteer columns by John Ikerd: Perspectives on
Agriculture, Food Systems, and Communities |
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"Farming sustainably does not mean going back to farming in the 1940s. From my perspective, the early years of transformation in U.S. agriculture were mostly positive for farm families and rural communities. . . . We may need two or three times as many farmers as today who make a good living farming. Most importantly, total agricultural production will need to be more evenly distributed among family-sized, management-intensive farms rather than concentrated in a few large, capital-intensive farming operations. . . ."
Read John's full column for free: https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2023.132.001 John Ikerd has contributed
Economic Pamphleteer columns to JAFSCD since its inaugural issue in 2010. See all of his columns here. Photo above: "Our new Farmall tractor, Henry driving it, 1948'" Image from Flickr |
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In this popular webinar series, NAFSN shares connections and insights to help participants identify possibilities for their careers. The spring 2024 series highlights job creators across the food systems profession. Join us for the next Finding Your Future in Food Systems webinar with Roberta Cosentino, The Best Route; Justin Barclay, Rodale Institute; and Zachary Korosh, Ohio State U. Wed., Feb. 21, 6:00-7:00 pm ET Register HERE for free! |
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