Martha Caswell - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Martha Caswell

En la última década se ha visto un avance y un interés cada vez mayores sobre la integración de l... more En la última década se ha visto un avance y un interés cada vez mayores sobre la integración de la agroecología y la investigación acción participativa (IAP). Este artículo tiene los siguientes objetivos: (1) analizar las características y principios clave de la IAP, usando dos estudios de casos que integraron IAP y agroecología en América Central; y (2) aprender de las lecciones ofrecidas por estos estudios de caso y otros de la literatura, sobre cómo integrar mejor IAP y agroecología. Los principios clave identificados para los procesos agroecológicos efectivos de IAP incluyen un interés compartido en la investigación por parte de los socios, una creencia en el poder / acción colectiva, un compromiso con la participación, la práctica de la humildad y el establecimiento de la confianza y la responsabilidad. Las lecciones importantes a considerar para el trabajo futuro incluyen: (1) procesos de investigación que no comenzaron con un enfoque de IAP, pueden evolucionar para incoporarlo; (2) la participación de los agricultores / partes interesadas en el establecimiento de la agenda de investigación, desde el comienzo, resulta en una mayor participación y mejores resultados; (3) tener los socios adecuados para los resultados deseados es clave; (4) la reflexión intencional y explícita es un componente esencial de los procesos de IAP; y (5) las colaboraciones intergeneracionales son cruciales para los beneficios a largo plazo. Los desafíos clave que enfrentan los procesos de IAP incluyen la necesidad de tiempo y recursos durante períodos más largos; la complejidad de la facilitación de procesos con múltiples actores; y las barreras institucionales dentro de la academia y las organizaciones de desarrollo, que aún no adoptan e inverierten adecuadamente en procesos agroecológicos integrales de IAP. Palabras clave: investigación comunitaria; cooperativas de agricultores; investigación transdisciplinaria; café; El Salvador; Nicaragua; México Summary Agroecology and Participatory Action Research (PAR): Principles and Lessons from Central America The last decade has seen an increasing advancement and interest in the integration of agroecology and participatory action research (PAR). This article aims to: (1) analyze the key characteristics and principles of two case studies that integrated IAP and agroecology in Central America; and (2) learn from the lessons offered by these case studies, as well as others from the literature, on how to better integrate PAR and agroecology. Key principles identified for effective PAR agroecological processes include a shared interest in research by partners, a belief in collective power/action, a commitment to participation, practicing humility and establishing trust and accountability. Important lessons to consider for future work include: (1) research processes that did not start as PAR, can evolve into it; (2) farmer/stakeholder participation in setting the research agenda, from the outset, results in higher engagement and enhanced outcomes; (3) having the right partners for the desired outcomes is key; (4) intentional and explicit reflection is an essential

Cadernos de Agroecologia, Aug 16, 2018

Resumen En la última década se ha visto un incremento en los avances e interés en la integración ... more Resumen En la última década se ha visto un incremento en los avances e interés en la integración de la agroecología y la investigación acción participativa (IAP). Los Objetivos principales de este artículo son: 1) revisar estudios de caso que han buscado integrar agroecología e IAP; 2) identificar características y principios clave en los procesos de agroecología e IAP; y 3) extraer y discutir leecciones de los estudios de caso revisados, para mejorar futuros trabajos. Los principios clave que identificamos en los procesos de IAP agroecológicos incluyen el interés compartido por la investigación de los actores involucrados, la certeza de los beneficios del poder y acción colectivo, el compromiso a la participación, la práctica de la humildad, y el establecimiento de la confianza y la rendición de cuentas. Lecciones importantes para considerar en futuros trabajos incluyen: 1) Procesos de investigación que no empezaron como IAP, pueden evolucionar hacia ello; 2) La participación de los actores en definir la agenda de investigación, desde el principio, resulta en mayor involucramiento y mejores Resultados; 3) Es importante contar con los socios adecuados para lograr los Objetivos deseados; 4) La reflexión explícita e intencional es un componente esencial de la IAP; y 5) Las colaboraciones inter-generacionales son esenciales para beneficios a largo plazo.

Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 2022

This paper addresses the role of an Undergraduate Agroecology Research Fellows Program (UARFP) to... more This paper addresses the role of an Undergraduate Agroecology Research Fellows Program (UARFP) toward a more critical and equity-oriented agroecology pedagogy. As a model rooted in action, Undergraduate Agroecology Research Fellows (UARF) become members of the Agroecology and Livelihoods Collaborative (ALC) Community of Practice (CoP), at the University of Vermont; a transdisciplinary research and education group that engages in community-based participatory action research (PAR). Through this model, UARFs support undergraduate student engagement in an advanced agroecology course, through which a PAR process centered on soil health takes place with regional farms. This triangulated learning format involves in-class and on-farm lab work, alongside the embedded UARF enrichment program, through which agroecological principles are examined via inter- and transdisciplinary educational lenses. Within this context, the objectives of the pedagogical research presented in this paper were: 1)...

Journal of Rural Studies, 2021

Sustainability, 2017

The last decade has seen an increasing advancement and interest in the integration of agroecology... more The last decade has seen an increasing advancement and interest in the integration of agroecology and participatory action research (PAR). This article aims to: (1) analyze the key characteristics and principles of two case studies that integrated PAR and agroecology in Central America; and (2) learn from the lessons offered by these case studies, as well as others from the literature, on how to better integrate PAR and agroecology. Key principles identified for effective PAR agroecological processes include a shared interest in research by partners, a belief in collective power/action, a commitment to participation, practicing humility and establishing trust and accountability. Important lessons to consider for future work include: (1) research processes that did not start as PAR, can evolve into it; (2) farmer/stakeholder participation in setting the research agenda, from the outset, results in higher engagement and enhanced outcomes; (3) having the right partners for the desired outcomes is key; (4) intentional and explicit reflection is an essential component of PAR processes; and (5) cross-generational collaborations are crucial to long-term benefits. Key challenges that confront PAR processes include the need for time and resources over longer periods; the complexity of multi-actor process facilitation; and institutional barriers within the academy and development organizations, which prevent shifting investment towards integrated PAR agroecological processes.

Weather, Climate, and Society, 2020

Landscape photovisualizations (PVZs) are digitally altered photographs that show existing landsca... more Landscape photovisualizations (PVZs) are digitally altered photographs that show existing landscapes altered to include a simulated future scenario. They are commonly used to support dialogue and decisionmaking in multistakeholder contexts. In agricultural sectors, stakeholders increasingly must contend with pressures to adapt to climatic changes and shifts in weather patterns. This study examines the potential of PVZs to engage agricultural stakeholders about climate change adaptation, specifically around best management practices (BMPs). In 2015, survey data were collected (n 5 133) at six agricultural conferences Vermont. Participants were asked about their climate change knowledge, perceptions of adaptation, and their intentions to adopt or recommend one or more of the following BMPs: riparian buffers, drainage tiles with constructed wetlands, retention ponds, and silvopasture. In addition, respondents were asked about how well PVZs did or did not clarify their understanding of each BMP and its associated limiting factors. Results from five multivariate ordered logit models show an increase in interest among some agricultural stakeholders in adopting a BMP (among farmers) or recommending a BMP (among agricultural advisors) after seeing a PVZ depicting that practice. Interest in adoption or recommendation of BMPs was also more likely among respondents who believe that it is important for farms to adapt to climate change. Although PVZs are not common in agricultural outreach programs, these results suggest that PVZs are relevant to agricultural education and land-use decision-making, specifically in the domain of climate change adaptation.

Society & Natural Resources, Jan 9, 2019

To remain viable, agricultural producers will need to adapt to changing climatic conditions in co... more To remain viable, agricultural producers will need to adapt to changing climatic conditions in coming decades. Agricultural advisers play an important role in helping producers decide to adopt appropriate adaptation practices. Photovisualizations have the potential to complement currently utilized outreach and education strategies. This research uses a focus group approach to explore (1) whether photovisualizations can aid in decision-making about climate change adaptation, and (2) what characteristics of photovisualizations are most effective at conveying spatial aspects of adaptation practices. We found that photovisualizations generate rich discussions about ecological and economic effects as well as tradeoffs associated with climate adaptation practices. To have the greatest impact, photovisualizations should be used when producers are considering implementing high-cost or high-risk projects, when practices are likely to dramatically change the visual landscape, or when a practice is unfamiliar to a producer.

Sustainability, Apr 28, 2017

Society & Natural Resources, Mar 8, 2021

Climate change adaptation requires that we anticipate future conditions that may deviate from our... more Climate change adaptation requires that we anticipate future conditions that may deviate from our historical experiences. Our ability to do so is associated with the perceived proximity of decision-outcomes. Through analysis of semi-structured interviews with farmers in the northeastern United States, we conclude that temporal distance (now versus later) and social distance (self versus other) of climate impacts interact to play important roles in climate risk perception. Using Psychological Distance and Construal Level Theory, we identified two distinct temporal perspectives, historically oriented and future oriented. Our analysis suggests that climate-informed farmers use different temporal perspectives depending on whether they are asked to imagine the climate risks through a personal lens versus a lens reserved for the other.

espanolEn la ultima decada se ha visto un avance y un interes cada vez mayores sobre la integraci... more espanolEn la ultima decada se ha visto un avance y un interes cada vez mayores sobre la integracion de la agroecologia y la investigacion accion participativa (IAP). Este articulo tiene los siguientes objetivos: (1) analizar las caracteristicas y principios clave de la IAP, usando dos estudios de casos que integraron IAP y agroecologia en America Central; y (2) aprender de las lecciones ofrecidas por estos estudios de caso y otros de la literatura, sobre como integrar mejor IAP y agroecologia. Los principios clave identificados para los procesos agroecologicos efectivos de IAP incluyen un interes compartido en la investigacion por parte de los socios, una creencia en el poder / accion colectiva, un compromiso con la participacion, la practica de la humildad y el establecimiento de la confianza y la responsabilidad. Las lecciones importantes a considerar para el trabajo futuro incluyen: (1) procesos de investigacion que no comenzaron con un enfoque de IAP, pueden evolucionar para inc...

Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 2021

Existing scholarship on agroecology and food systems education within U.S. colleges and universit... more Existing scholarship on agroecology and food systems education within U.S. colleges and universities has focused primarily on preparing students to be professionals working in agrifood systems. Developing students' skills and competencies, though vitally important, may not suffice for supporting transformative learning. Transformative learning shifts students' perceptions and awareness and informs future actions, constituting a potential avenue for leveraging education to support transformations toward more socially just and ecologically viable agrifood systems. It is unclear, however, what pedagogies and educational practices enable transformative learning. This paper explores the integration of multiple pedagogical innovations within an advanced agroecology course taught at the University of Vermont. Over a decade, the teaching team has made iterative adjustments to course content and pedagogies with the goal of catalyzing action toward transforming agrifood systems. In th...

Recommended Citation Caswell, Martha; Maden, Rebecca; McCune, Nils; Mendez, V. Ernesto; Bucini, G... more Recommended Citation Caswell, Martha; Maden, Rebecca; McCune, Nils; Mendez, V. Ernesto; Bucini, Gabriela; Anderzen, Janica; Izzo, Victor; Hurley, Stephanie E.; Gould, Rachelle K.; Faulkner, Joshua W.; and Juncos-Gautier, Maria A., "Amplifying Agroecology in Vermont: Principles and Processes to Foster Food Systems Sustainability" (2021). USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Center. 4. https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/arsfoodsystems/4

Journal of Rural Studies, 2020

Weather, Climate, and Society, 2019

Society & Natural Resources, 2019

• Over a 6-year period, coffee producers experienced less seasonal food shortage, on average (1.3... more • Over a 6-year period, coffee producers experienced less seasonal food shortage, on average (1.3 fewer months per year), but the majority of families still reported food shortages during an average of 3-4 months per year.

Society & Natural Resources, 2021