February 2022
Martha Caswell is co-director of the Agroecology & Livelihoods Collaborative (ALC), a community practice housed in ¶¶Òõ̽̽'s Department of Plant and Soil Science and a Gund Graduate Fellow at ¶¶Òõ̽̽. As a PhD student, Martha works to apply the frameworks of agroecological principles, cultural ecosystem services and relational values to explore people's conceptualization of and motivations for pursuing food sovereignty. We are excited to feature Martha as our February Food Systems Researcher of the Month, a monthly series from the ¶¶Òõ̽̽ Food Systems Research Center.
1. What current food systems research are you conducting?
My current research relates to the broad themes of agroecological transitions/ transformations and agroecological pedagogy in a variety of settings. I’m interested in how our understanding of what is happening/what is possible is influenced by the epistemological and ontological frameworks we use. As the co-director of the Agroecology and Livelihoods Collaborative (ALC), the heart of my work is considering these questions in relation to different models for leadership and co-learning related to agroecology. Current research projects include an initiative assessing what urban agroecology looks like in and around Burlington, VT, and two projects in southern Mexico – one that is evaluating seed system resilience and another focused on diversification strategies in coffee-growing communities. Even as we conduct our own research, we are continuing to explore questions of what is considered rigorous and legitimate, and what counts as evidence. To this end, colleagues from the ALC and from the at Coventry University recently contributed to a compendium from the Global Alliance for the Future of Food, on the .
2. What got you interested in food systems research?
I never expected to have research be at the core of my work. I’ve always been curious and interested in figuring things out, but when I began my career, I envisioned myself being more of a ‘doer’ than a ‘thinker.’ After working for a range of NGOs in large urban areas, I went to graduate school in public policy. I had seen a lot of effort being invested in responding to the symptoms of structural racism and income disparity (related to access to health, education, and housing, among other things), and I wanted to consider alternative levers of change. However, after seeing policies proposed with no input from the people/places that they would most directly impact, I realized what I really wanted was to contribute my skills to collective efforts that were community driven. Food systems became much more visible to me after moving from Brooklyn to Burlington. I learned a lot by being welcomed into a farm family here in Vermont, and I started asking lots of questions that reflected my experiences working in community development and public health. I’ve found generous teachers and mentors in food systems who have oriented me to a broad range of experiences and perspectives. While I got into this work by a circuitous route, I’ve encountered questions and methods that are compelling, and it’s clear that transformations within our food systems are urgently needed. I see potential for significant contributions from participatory action research related to these themes and am glad to be part of a vibrant community working on these issues.
3. How is your FSRC-funded research impacting Vermonters?
Our FSRC-funded white paper points to the importance of process and relationships—the focus of agroecology—in moving toward food systems sustainability. An agroecological approach works toward shared analysis of the priority issues and making the most of whatever resources are available to pursue viable paths forward. Basically, it calls for creativity and collaboration. In our global networks, and most specifically through work with the , we have been exploring the potential for farmer research networks and other cohort models for pooling questions and exploring solutions in groups that draw on the experience and expertise of farmers and researchers working side by side. There are pockets of this kind of collaboration already happening locally with ¶¶Òõ̽̽ Extension and through existing farmer associations, but we’re interested in experimenting with an expansion of these models closer to home. There’s lots of opportunity for exchanges of ideas and strategies that might emerge from connecting our international networks with what is unfolding here in Vermont.
4. Where do you see the role of your field in expanding research on food systems at ¶¶Òõ̽̽ and beyond?
Since not everyone is familiar with the field of agroecology, we usually start with a quick definition. After explaining that it is an approach to food production that aligns with healthy natural environments, vibrant and equitable social systems, and dignified and viable livelihoods we can move into identifying potential areas of overlap and shared interest. We often describe our participatory action research approach as research with people for people, which means we define our research directions by working collectively to identify the issues/questions and co-create strategies. We’re also committed to transdisciplinary approaches, working across disciplines within the university and integrating the experience and wisdom of our wider partners within the food system. Our current efforts around establishing an at ¶¶Òõ̽̽, offer exciting opportunities for expanding our research, teaching/learning, and community connections – both close to home and across the globe.
5. What is something about you people would be surprised to learn?
Family lore has it that my great uncles brought the first registered herd of Jersey cows to Texas. Given that Columbus, Ohio (where I was born and raised) is the home of the American Jersey Cattle Association, and my in-laws here in Vermont managed an all-Jersey herd for almost 40 years, I think there must be some cosmic connection between me and that high butterfat breed.
6. What’s your favorite thing about living in Vermont?
People’s enthusiasm for whatever season it is. I don’t think I’ve ever lived anywhere else where there is such gusto for appreciating your surroundings. It seems like someone is always up for a quick ski, going for that first hike after mud season, heading to the lake, meeting up at a swimming hole or just sitting in a sunny patch and looking at how the leaves are turning. There are just so many ways to be out and enjoying this beautiful place.
7. What TV show, band/artist, podcast, video game, book, and/or anything are you most obsessed with right now?
My kids are both doing rec league basketball right now, and as they’re developing their skills, we’ve been enjoying watching videos of the greats (though we watched way too many Dennis Rodman clips last week). March Madness will be here soon enough, and it’ll either be cold enough to be inside and watching some games or warm enough that the sap is running. Either way, I’m looking forward to it!
Check out Martha's profile and stay up-to-date on FSRC-funded work!
