ILC

Considering historical social contexts, what kinds of social movements are creating change in the agricultural community? How is alternative agriculture healing intersectional communities? The student will be reading books about social movements that are related to food activism and producing written work that analyzes the research material as well as current politics that inhibit, and alternatively, prohibit participation within the global food economy. Time will primarily be spent reading and writing. The student will attend multiple lectures through the program Commodities and Conflict as well attend practical farm workshops taught by Dave Muehleisen. The most crucial component of this student’s project is the study of the relationship between intersectional identities and the food system.

Learning Objectives:	Activities:	What my sponsor will evaluate:
I will look at the difference between social movements, organizations, and NGOs that are associated with food activism and alternative agricultural solutions. What activist communities best fit the needs of their constituents? Who is being listened to, who is speaking? How do we create change that works outside of institutional practices in the hopes of transforming said institutions?	I will be reading books such as Food For Change: The Politics and Values of Social Movements by Jeff Pratt, Another Politics: Talking Across Today’s Transformative Movements by Chris Dixon, and Food Transgressions: Making Sense of Contemporary Food Politics by Michael Goodman.	After creating an understanding for social movement organization, I will use this information as my base to analyze food movements and as I begin writing about my findings in my final paper.
I will research the short history of global food movements and their critics and advocates in the United States. In what ways does global racism and violence perpetuate the food that we are eating? Who all is affected? Are there systems of agriculture and production that do not perpetuate this historical epidemic?	I will read Spaces of Danger and Food Transgressions: Making Sense of Contemporary Food Politics.	I will write a research paper that applies my understanding of social movements to an analysis of food movements.
I will spend time focusing on activities that are related to farming and community involvement.	I will attend bi-weekly practical farm workshops with Dave’s SOS and research astrology and biodynamic farming by reading biodynamic calendars and food articles.	I will write reflections on each workshop I attend and begin collecting materials for the proof of concept calendar while staying contact with possible contributors.
While continuing to advance my current skills with Zotero, I will prepare to present a workshop to the class.  In what ways can students improve the ways that they engage with their academic research? In what ways can we share knowledge with others that uplifts our learning community?	Mid-quarter, I will lead a presentation about how to use Zotero. This presentation will be about how to use it and why it is important.	My faculty will evaluate the information presented and the knowledge gained from attendees.