Research
Farm to Fork Research
Located in the local knowledge of farmers and community leaders in North America, this research explores the ability of farmers to innovate in the face of change. Beginning with an exploration of farm household adaptation to BSE (Mad cow disease), we are exploring direct marketing as one important adaptive response. More broadly, we explore the place of collective action in the form of alternative agro-food networks as a point of resistance (or sometimes a compliment) to the dominant agro-food network. This research project has unfolded iteratively and is best conceptualized in three phases as described below.
Phase I – Farm Level Adaptation to BSE in The Canadian Prairies (Jan 2007-Jan 2009)
Description and Findings
- Large scale mixed methods survey
- Farm-level responses to the BSE crisis can be separated into one of three categories: Innovating, Enduring or Exiting. Off-farm income was also an important response to BSE.
- Direct-marketing was one innovative response to BSE.
- By reducing the number of steps between the farmer and consumer, many farmers hope to realize a greater profit.
- The proportion of animals marketed directly to consumers at retail or near-retail prices are less vulnerable to market failures such as those experienced as a result of BSE (retail prices were relatively unaffected by BSE).
- Collective marketing offers many benefits over individual direct marketing yet also multiple challenges.
Phase II – Collective Marketing and Local Food Systems in Manitoba (Nov 2006-Jan 2012)
Description
- Action Research Project – Harvest Moon Society Local Food Initiative
- Longitudinal Case Study of the Harvest Moon Society Local Food Initiative
- Consumer survey
- Consumer interviews
- Retailer interviews
Phase III – A Western Canadian Analysis of Collective Local Food Marketing Initiatives (July 2008-Jan 2009) Description
Description
- Participatory Video Project
- Interview methods
Phase IV – Canada – U.S. Comparative Analysis of Alternative Food Networks (policy and social movements)
Description
- Participatory Video
- Interview methods
Research Outcomes
Presentations and Conference Proceedings
Anderson, C.R. 2010. New Media and Scientific Communication. Panel discussant at PrioNet Annual Scientific Conference onMarch 7, 2010. Ottawa, ON.
Anderson, C.R. & S.M. McLachlan. 2009. New Media and Scientific Communication. Poster presented at PrioNet Annual Scientific Conference on March 7, 2010. Ottawa, ON.
Anderson, C.R. & S.M. McLachlan. 2008. Putting the Action in Research: Prion Risk Prevention AND ADAPTATION. Poster presented at PrioNet Annual Scientific Conference on March 2, 2009. Edmonton, AB.
Anderson, C.R. & S.M. McLachlan. 2008. The Harvest Moon Society Local Food Initiative: Building Social Capital through an Alternative Food Economy. Presented at the Canadian Association for Cooperative Studies on June 6, 2008. Vancouver, B.C.
Anderson, C.R. & S.M. McLachlan. 2008. Comparing and Contrasting Stakeholder Perception and Expectations of Local Food. Presented at the Canadian Association of Food Studies Annual Conference on June 1, 2008. Vancouver, BC.
Anderson, C.R. & S.M. McLachlan. 2008. Farm Level and Collective Responses to The BSE Crisis. Poster presented at PrioNet Annual Scientific Conference on February 3, 2008. Toronto, Ont.
Anderson, C. R., & S.M. McLachlan, S.M. 2007. Producer Adaptive Responses: Dealing With the BSE Crisis. Paper presented at Canadian Association of Food Studies Annual Conference on May 29, 2007.
Anderson, C.R., McLachlan S.M., Stozek, T., Alam, M.A. 2007. Producer Adaptive Responses to BSE. Presented at PrioNet Annual Conference on February 17, 2007. Calgary, AB.
Community and Other Invited Presentations
Anderson, C.R. 2010. Reclaiming Agricultural Policy in Oregon. Presented at Brown Bag Lunch Series. Oregon State University Department of Anthropology on Febuary 26th, 2010.
Anderson, C.R. 2009. Keynote Speaker – Growing Relationships: Connecting Farmers, Processors, Marketers and Eaters in the Local Food Economy. Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Direct Farm Marketing Conference. February 27, 2009. Winnipeg, MB.
McLachlan, S.M., Thompson, S. Wong, K. & C.R. Anderson. 2009. Local AND just: Community-University Research Partnerships. Panel participant at Manitoba Food Security Conference: Growing Local, Getting Vocal on Feb 21, 2009. Winnipeg, MB.
Anderson, C.R. 2009. Global food crisis: Local solutions? Presented at Manitoba Food Security Conference: Growing Local, Getting Vocal on Feb 20, 2009. Winnipeg, MB.
Anderson, C.R. 2009. Starting a Local Food Initiative. Lorne Community Development Buy Local Seminar. February 2, 2009. Swan Lake, MB.
Anderson, C.R. 2008. Buying Local, Thinking Local, Organizing Local. Central Plains Rural Municipality Community Development Workshop Series. November 20, 2008. Carberry, MB.
Anderson, C.R. & S.M. McLachlan. 2008. Building Community through Local Food. Presented at Manitoba Food Security Conference: Growing Local, Getting Vocal on March 8, 2008. Winnipeg, MB.
Anderson, C.R. & S.M. McLachlan. 2008. Harvest Moon Society Local Food Initiative: Building Social Capital through an Alternative Food Economy. Presented to SSHRC Social Economy Regional Workshop on January 11, 2008. Winnipeg, MB.
Anderson, C.R. 2008. Cooperative models in Canadian Agriculture. New Immigrants Farm Tour: Presentation to 14 recent immigrants (Burma and Columbia).
Anderson, C.R. 2007. Re-localizing food: Implications for Eaters and Growers. Presented at University of Manitoba Graduate Student’s Association Forum on November 29, 2007. Winnipeg, MB
Power Point Presentations
February 28, 2009 – Direct Farm Marketing Conference. Anderson, C (2009) Growing Relationships.
Posters
2010 – New Media and Scientific Communication
2009 – Prion Risk Prevention and Adaptation
