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2. Community economic development initiatives: a descriptive exploratory study of community shared agriculture
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Ashiabi, Godwin S. (author)
- Format:
- Online journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2000
- Published:
- Taylor & Francis
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 32 Document Number: D10641
- Journal Title:
- Community Development
- Journal Title Details:
- 31(2): 365-379
- Notes:
- 16 pages., via online journal., This study examines community economic development (CED) initiatives and focuses on community shared agriculture (CSA) as an alternative form of farming to industrialized agriculture. CSA connects the farmers directly with consumers, such that both farmers and consumers share the benefits and risks involved in agriculture. The purpose of this study was to understand what motivates individuals to become involved in a CSA and what involvement in CSA means for them. As a point of departure, the ecological and social psychological problems associated with industrialized agriculture are elucidated. Empowerment theory, social vitality, and sense of community were used as conceptual frameworks. Data were collected on a community farm in midwest Ontario using a participant-observer mode of inquiry and open-ended interviews. The themes that emerged were categorized under empowerment, social vitality, and sense of community.
3. Do rural residents really use the Internet to build social capital? An empirical investigation
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Stern, Michael J. (author) and Adams, Alison E. (author)
- Format:
- Journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2010
- Published:
- USA: Sage Publications
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: D10205
- Journal Title:
- American Behavioral Scientist
- Journal Title Details:
- 53(9) : 1389-1422
- Notes:
- Via online UI subscription, Recent research suggests that Internet usage can positively influence social capital in rural communities by fostering avenues for voluntary participation and creating social networks. Most of this research has examined whether Internet use is associated with participation in local organizations and social networks but not the means by which residents use the technology to learn about local activities. To address this gap in the literature, the authors use a mixed-methods approach in an isolated rural region of the western United States to evaluate how residents use their connections to maintain local social networks and learn about local community events and organizations. The authors show that Internet usage can play an important role in building social capital in rural communities, thus extending the systemic model of rural voluntary participation and community attachment. Implications for rural community development are addressed.
4. How Programme Teams Progress Agricultural Innovation in the Australian Dairy Industry
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Nettle, Ruth (author), Brightling, Pauline (author), Hope, Anne (author), and The University of Melbourne Harris Park Group, Ltd.
- Format:
- Online journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2013-06-04
- Published:
- Australia: Taylor & Francis
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 109 Document Number: D10956
- Journal Title:
- Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension
- Journal Title Details:
- 19(3) : 271-290
- Notes:
- 21 pages, via online journal, Purpose: This article outlines the emergence of programme teams in the Australian dairy farm sector as a response to counter weaknesses in the institutional environment for agricultural innovation which favours technology adoption/diffusion approaches. Design/methodology/approach: The strengths, weaknesses and risks of different approaches to innovation in the Australian dairy sector RD&E system are analysed and key features of an emerging programme team approach defined. The programme team approach is compared and contrasted with the features of innovation capacity from international literature. An analysis of the relative investment in this innovation capacity in different topics or domains of dairy innovation is provided. Findings: The programme team approach to innovation involves groups of researchers, extension people, public and private organisations, farmers, community groups, and policy and service groups brought together to progress innovation and change in a topic area or domain. Leadership of the process is provided by an area expert or champion. The team takes responsibility for: (a) understanding the businesses of key players who have an influence in the innovation or domain; (b) deciding the nature of the desired change that all stakeholders can align to; (c) identifying features of the enabling environment to establish what capacity is needed; (d) designing a ‘route to change’ strategy (in contrast to traditional route-to-market thinking); and (e) piloting and refining the approach within the target populations. The group manages emerging risks and keeps on top of issues, as well as identifies any knowledge gaps for research that are preventing innovation and change. Conclusions/practical implications: The programme team approach provides a semi-formal governance mechanism for innovation to develop, despite an institutional environment that favours technology adoption. Further, the activities of programme teams consist of practices which integrate research-led and demand-pull approaches. Currently, investment in such innovation capacity is relatively low and highly variable across different topic domains. Added value: The article provides tangible activities that managers of agricultural RD&E programmes can invest in to progress systemic approaches to innovation and is a guide for agricultural education and extension practitioners to proceed in their innovation work.
5. Thoughts from AAEA 2011 past president Steve Fairchild
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Fairchild, Steve (author)
- Format:
- Article
- Publication Date:
- 2021-04-08
- Published:
- USA: AAEA - The Agricultural Communicators Network, LaGrange, GA.
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 207 Document Number: D13049
- Notes:
- 2 pages