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.
Out of a desire to protect our region from this virus, all of SFHC’s field work activities have been closed as of April 7. Although the Malawi government has not yet confirmed any cases of COVID-19 in the… Read More
With funding from Avaaz, SFHC did a major distribution of food and hygiene supplies this August. These supplies are critical for families affected by the pandemic. According to local request, we delivered… – 25, 000 cloth face masks–… Read More
We’re proud to feature in the prominent food systems newspaper, Civil Eats, in an article discussing the failure of U.S. investment in African industrial agriculture. The article explores the promise of African agroecology as an alternative: offering new,… Read More
SFHC has been busy during May. In order to reduce risk of COVID-19 transmission, SFHC has divided the staff into several teams who work on various SFHC projects independently at the SFHC office. Teams only come in once… 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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Updates & News
COVID-19: Updates on SFHC activities
March 28, 2020
By Rachel Bezner-Kerr
Out of a desire to protect our region from this virus, all of SFHC’s field work activities have been closed as of April 7. Although the Malawi government has not yet confirmed any cases of COVID-19 in the… Read More
Avaaz funds major hygiene and food distribution for COVID-19 affected families
September 11, 2020
By Rachel Bezner-Kerr
With funding from Avaaz, SFHC did a major distribution of food and hygiene supplies this August. These supplies are critical for families affected by the pandemic. According to local request, we delivered… – 25, 000 cloth face masks–… Read More
SFHC highlighted in Civil Eats
August 29, 2020
By Rachel Bezner-Kerr
We’re proud to feature in the prominent food systems newspaper, Civil Eats, in an article discussing the failure of U.S. investment in African industrial agriculture. The article explores the promise of African agroecology as an alternative: offering new,… Read More
May Update
July 30, 2020
By Bunmi Osias
SFHC has been busy during May. In order to reduce risk of COVID-19 transmission, SFHC has divided the staff into several teams who work on various SFHC projects independently at the SFHC office. Teams only come in once… Read More