22nd Annual Student Research Conference
Women in the Field and Kitchen: Nourishing Community Food Culture with the Principles of Ecofeminism
Sally M. Hertz* and Hannah L. Hemmelgarn
Dr. Amber Johnson, Faculty Mentor
Many women active in small scale agriculture, food preservation and preparation are involved in a movement fueled by political and ecological motives. These motives align with ecofeminist principles, wherein women can break their reliance on the industrial food culture; a lifestyle on which our nation has become largely dependent. Increased fossil-fuel intensive machinery and technology, highly processed and packaged foods, and large scale production methods have contributed to a deskilling of consumers in industrialized nations. We utilize qualitative research in our attempt to understand why food independence is a priority for women. International examples provide contextual frameworks that help us better conceptualize a similar movement taking place in the United States. Our research examines the effect of the preservation of food culture skills on the economic, social and ecological sustainability of communities.
Keywords: Ecofeminism, Food, Women, Agriculture, Industrial, Culture, Community, Sustainability
Topic(s):Sociology/Anthropology
Environmental Studies
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 13-2
Location: VH 1416
Time: 8:30