When you begin to really get together with others of the same movement, you see the beauty of diversity a cause can have. The Real Food/Slow Food movements are a great representation of this. You see chefs like Jamie Oliver and Dan Barber, lunch lady Ann Cooper, journalist Michael Pollan, economist Raj Patel, First Lady Michelle Obama, farmers like Andrew and Lalanya Bodenbender, companies like Kalona Organics and Seventh Generation, and even grocery stores like New Pioneer Cooperative. You see young students like my friends; nutitionist Lizzie Severson, anthropologist Allison Stewart, and Global Studies major Sally Goodman. So many people from so many different backgrounds all working together for a common cause. A real solution to our current food crisis.
Of course, not everyone pursues the same aspect of the movement, nor should they. It takes a great variety of people and an even greater knowledge of all the parts of the system. We need chefs and lunch ladies to bring change to their restaurants and schools. We need journalists to bring the issues to the public. We need economists to analyze the impact of our system on global and local economies. Leaders to lead by example. Farmers and companies to make the very basic changes needed in their production methods. Grocery stores to carry the new food. Nutritionists to analyze the health impacts of our current systems, anthrolopolgists to put everything in a human perspective. And people with knowledge of global sociology to put it all into a global perspective.
So, in all of this, where I am I, Ashley Swank? It’s a good and incredibly valid question and I’m sure many of you have been wondering just what my role in the real food movement is. As many of you know, I’m transferring(given they finally mail back my acceptance letter) to Iowa State University and I plan on majoring in Agroecology and International Agriculture with a minor in economics. Everytime I tell someone this, I always get a few crossed eyes, so to simplify, I’ll share a few definitions for you:
Agroecology:
(From Wikipedia)
The term agroecology can be used in multiple ways, as a science, as a movement and as a practice[1]. Broadly stated, it is the study of the role of agriculture in the world. Agroecology provides an interdisciplinary framework with which to study the activity of agriculture. In this framework, agriculture does not exist as an isolated entity, but as part of an ecology of contexts. Agroecology draws upon basic ecological principles for its conceptual framework.
Agroecologists study a variety of agroecosystems, and the field of agroecology is not associated with any one particular method of farming, whether it be organic, conventional, intensive or extensive. Furthermore, it is not defined by certain management practices, such as the use of natural enemies in place of insecticides, or polyculture in place of monoculture.
Additionally, agroecologists do not unanimously oppose technology or inputs in agriculture but instead assess how, when, and if technology can be used in conjunction with natural, social and human assets[2]. Agroecology proposes a context- or site-specific manner of studying agroecosystems, and as such, it recognizes that there is no universal formula or recipe for the success and maximum well-being of an agroecosystem.
Instead, agroecologists may study questions related to the four system properties of agroecosystems: productivity, stability, sustainability and equitability[3]. As opposed to disciplines that are concerned with only one or some of these properties, agroecologists see all four properties as interconnected and integral to the success of an agroecosystem. Recognizing that these properties are found on varying spatial scales, agroecologists do not limit themselves to the study of agroecosystems at any one scale: farm, community, or global.
Agroecologists study these four properties through an interdisciplinary lens, using natural sciences to understand elements of agroecosystems such as soil properties and plant-insect interactions, as well as using social sciences to understand the effects of farming practices on rural communities, economic constraints to developing new production methods, or cultural factors determining farming practices.
For more information, you can view the wikipedia page at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agroecology
International Agriculture
(From iastate.edu)
The international agriculture program provides opportunities to develop knowledge and skills related to the factors that interact to impact agricultural and environmental issues, production, processes, distribution and utilization worldwide. The program puts emphasis on international experience through structured internships and study abroad. The international agriculture program is appropriate for students seeking positions that require knowledge and experience related to global agricultural issues and their impact on local, regional, national and international policies and practices. Students preparing for careers in the following areas will benefit from the international agriculture program; governmental and non-governmental development agencies, agribusinesses, educational institutions, and non-profit assistance agencies. Outcomes from participation in this program include developing an awareness for the role of international agriculture in the career development process, analyzing international agricultural issues and policies, acquiring skills for solving problems in international development and agribusiness and experiencing real situations and gaining perspectives about agriculture in a global setting.
Secondary Major
International agriculture is an undergraduate secondary major that may be taken only in conjunction with a primary major in an agriculture and life sciences curriculum. Students choosing international agriculture will strengthen their career placement with a business or agency involved in international activities. Technical knowledge of a primary major discipline will be strengthened by a global awareness of agriculture and life sciences. A secondary major in international agriculture will give students practical insight into the role of agriculture in a world of increasing food and fiber needs. It is ideal for those who wish to broaden their international perspective or prepare for international work in agriculture. The secondary major includes an emphasis on international internship or study abroad and/or foreign languages, and selection of appropriate courses (from an approved list) to meet the needs and interests of the student.
Courses for the secondary major include Agron 342; six credits of study abroad, travel, or language courses or any combination thereof; and six credits in selected international agriculture courses in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Fifteen credits of the secondary major cannot be used to meet requirements of the major or any other college or university requirement.
Economics
I figure most of you know what this is, but for the sake of being thorough, I’ll add it here.
Economics is the study of what individuals, institutions, and economic systems do, or should do, as they deal with the problem of satisfying virtually unlimited wants with scarce resources. Economics deals with choices and optimization, typically embedded in a market system where the notion of equilibrium is essential and where prices play a crucial role. Economics provides a logical and ordered way of looking at a wide variety of issues, and the principles of economics are finding growing applicability in a number of fields. An understanding of economic concepts can provide substantial personal and social benefits.
Again, that was from iastate.edu.
So, in terms of my interests, I want to–in the future–study and work on how institutions like the WTO, IMF and World Bank; and how global trade treaties affect international and local agriculture. Anyone that knows anything about NAFTA for instance, knows that this one treaty completely collapsed the corn crop in Mexico.
So, I’m kind of done with sitting in front of the computer(I’ve been here for a few hours writing this, working on the cost spreadsheets and doing various assignments) so I’m going to end this blog entry here. I plan on spending the next entry discussing how certain global trade policies affect agriculture and why I want to change them. Obviously, since this is something I’m dedicating my life to, it’s a lot more complicated than a few blog entries, but isn’t that what this is for? Hehe.
