The overall goal of the project is to understand the impacts of farmer-led participatory agroecological research in rural Malawi on student learning, and to strengthen Cornell faculty and students’ ability to conduct this type of research. The specific aim is to examine the impacts of farmer-led engaged learning approaches to food security on students involved with this research.
Eight students were involved in farmer-led participatory research over the past 2 years, including 4 graduate students and 4 undergraduate students. Students participated in a range of activities, including participating in social and ecological data collection, community education activities and farmer training. They spent between 2 – 10 weeks in the field on each occasion, and also participated in research lab groups before and after their experience. In-depth interviews were conducted with students before and after their fieldwork experience. Students also submitted weekly reflections during their fieldwork experiences to Dr. Bezner Kerr. In addition, 20 SFHC staff and farmers were interviewed before the students conducted their fieldwork, and 4 focus groups held with staff and farmers before they began the fieldwork with students.
In 2019, 3 students will travel to Malawi as part of this study, and will participate in several ongoing research projects with SFHC.
In March 2018, SFHC was pleased to host a visit from the Seed and Knowledge Initiative (SKI)’s Community of Practice. These experienced and dedicated activists, farmers, and community leaders joined us for several days to exchange knowledge, share… Read More
What is agroecology? How is it related to biodiversity and conservation? What is participatory research, and what does it mean to share different types of knowledge? How can you map knowledge sharing across a landscape? If you’ve ever… Read More
Wooohooo! We are finally solar powered! For years, it has been part of our dream to build solar panels onto the roof of our Farmer Research and Training Center, in order to run on renewable energy. In the… Read More
Farmer-led Research in Malawi Deepening Knowledge of Impact
Funded by Engaged Cornell, Farmer-led Research in Malawi Deepening Knowledge of Impact explores and evaluates the experiences of Cornell students participating in SFHC projects and activities.
The overall goal of the project is to understand the impacts of farmer-led participatory agroecological research in rural Malawi on student learning, and to strengthen Cornell faculty and students’ ability to conduct this type of research. The specific aim is to examine the impacts of farmer-led engaged learning approaches to food security on students involved with this research.
Eight students were involved in farmer-led participatory research over the past 2 years, including 4 graduate students and 4 undergraduate students. Students participated in a range of activities, including participating in social and ecological data collection, community education activities and farmer training. They spent between 2 – 10 weeks in the field on each occasion, and also participated in research lab groups before and after their experience. In-depth interviews were conducted with students before and after their fieldwork experience. Students also submitted weekly reflections during their fieldwork experiences to Dr. Bezner Kerr. In addition, 20 SFHC staff and farmers were interviewed before the students conducted their fieldwork, and 4 focus groups held with staff and farmers before they began the fieldwork with students.
In 2019, 3 students will travel to Malawi as part of this study, and will participate in several ongoing research projects with SFHC.
The project is co-led by Rachel Bezner Kerr and Esther Lupafya, with Heidi Mouillesseaux-Kunzman collaborating. Additional funding from CALS Global Fellows supports student travel to Malawi.
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Reflections: A Visit from the Seed and Knowledge Initiative
January 10, 2022
By rachel
In March 2018, SFHC was pleased to host a visit from the Seed and Knowledge Initiative (SKI)’s Community of Practice. These experienced and dedicated activists, farmers, and community leaders joined us for several days to exchange knowledge, share… Read More
Launch: we have a podcast!
December 23, 2021
By rachel
What is agroecology? How is it related to biodiversity and conservation? What is participatory research, and what does it mean to share different types of knowledge? How can you map knowledge sharing across a landscape? If you’ve ever… Read More
Solar panels at the Center
December 23, 2021
By rachel
Wooohooo! We are finally solar powered! For years, it has been part of our dream to build solar panels onto the roof of our Farmer Research and Training Center, in order to run on renewable energy. In the… Read More