Research
Farm to Fork Research
Beginning with an exploration of farm household adaptation to BSE (Mad cow disease), this doctoral research explores direct farm marketing as one important adaptive response to the challenges and opportunities associated with the globalization of the agri-food system. More broadly, we explore collective approaches to alternative agro-food networks. This research project has unfolded iteratively and is best conceptualized in four 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 - Canada – U.S. Comparative Analysis of Alternative Food Networks (policy and social movements)
Description
- Participatory Video
- Interview methods
Research Outcomes
Peer Reviewed
Anderson, C.R., McLachlan, S.M. Exiting, Enduring and Innovating: Farm Household Adaptation to Global Zoonotic Disease. Global Environmental Change. Accepted.
Presentations and Conference Proceedings
Anderson, C.R. 2010. The Harvest Moon Society: Holistic Community Development through Urban-Rural. Presented at the Brandon Rural Development Institute conference: On the Bright Side: Rural Canada Works. Brandon, MB.
Rojas, A., Williams, P., Gillis, D., Anderson, C.R., Epp, S. 2010. An Exploration of Three Recently Awarded Community University Research Alliances (CURAs) that Address Community Food Insecurity and Social Justice across Canada, in Nova Scotia, Manitoba and British Columbia. Presented at the Canadian Association of Food Studies Annual Conference. Montreal, QB.
Anderson, C.R. 2010. New Media and Scientific Communication. Panel discussant at PrioNet Annual Scientific Conference on March 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. 2009. 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.
Reports
Anderson, C.R. and L. Carpenter. From Collective to Cooperative. Report to the Harvest Moon Local Food Initiative. May, 2011.
Community and Other Invited Presentations
Anderson, C.R. 2010. Building Local Food Communities. Manitoba Alternative Food Research Alliance World Food Day Food Justice Event. October 16, 2010.
Anderson, C.R. 2010. Reclaiming Agricultural Policy in Oregon. Presented at Brown Bag Lunch Series. Oregon State University Department of Anthropology on February 26th, 2010.
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.
McLachlan, S.M., Thompson, S. & 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. 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.
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.
Video
Anderson, C.R. and Carson, S. 2010. Reclaiming Agricultural Policy for Family Farmers in Oregon – Part II. Friends of Family Farmers Video Short. Video available on-line at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WULN7q2euQ
Anderson, C.R. 2010. Reclaiming Agricultural Policy for Family Farmers in Oregon. Friends of Family Farmers Video Short. Video available on-line at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqykNIr2zZY
Anderson, C.R. 2009. The Harvest Moon Local Food Initiative. Video short available on-line at http://farmtoforkresearch.com/?p=212#more-212
Articles
Anderson, C.R. 2008. Communicating your research. PrioNet Student and Young Professional Association Bulletin. 2:12. December 5, 2008.
Anderson, C.R. 2009. BSE! Get a Job. PrioNet Student and Young Professional Association Quarterly Publication. Also available at www.farmtoforkresearch.com blog.
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
