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.
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.
22 pages., Via online., Case report of a "Family Dinner Night" tradition in a neighborhood of Tampa Bay, Florida. Findings revealed the way food serves to build a sense of community via open invitation and shared storytelling. Authors concluded by discussing the positive impact this tradition has had on its participants through an increased sense of familial connections and social capital.
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.
