Seed to Knowledge Mapping Relational Foodways and Community Resilience

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Description
How do writers, scientists, Indigenous knowledge holders, farmers, and practitioners co-create ‘relational foodways’ in different places and times? How does the transformation of scientists’ positionality help navigate food security potential for future generations? This dissertation counter-maps Western and non-Western food…

How do writers, scientists, Indigenous knowledge holders, farmers, and practitioners co-create ‘relational foodways’ in different places and times? How does the transformation of scientists’ positionality help navigate food security potential for future generations? This dissertation counter-maps Western and non-Western food knowledges and practices through analysis of diverse seed narratives in two indigenous communities: the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana and MOWA Band of Choctaw Indians of Alabama and farmers’ collectives in southern Italy. Based on three years of interdisciplinary and community-based participatory research, I observed affinities in communities’ stories regarding their Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and Traditional Local Knowledge (TLK) and foodways. The research questions examine how community memories of relationships with land, ancestors, and beliefs encapsulated in heritage seeds contribute to forming an external innovation space for food security, which evolves through the repetition of seed reproduction cycles. I also examine how land relations in place-embedded narratives were erased from the future of seed by the systemic agricultural industry. Drawing on interdisciplinary theories, Indigenous research methods, and outside-of-academia frameworks, I argue that preserving TEK and TLK empowers community resilience as documented in their community stories regarding climate change and biodiversity. Interviews with community members revealed the important role of seed savers’ and basket weavers’ knowledge protection efforts in developing contemporary innovative models of food sovereignty, especially in the leadership of women passing down generations of local values and culturally enhanced principles of sustainability. This study attempted an interdisciplinary approach to integrate Indigenous epistemologies to envision a break from the colonial past. Mapping traditional foodways allows us to rethink the ontological basis, reconsider the epistemological approaches, and unfold the new narrative picturing the Middle Place where scientists and traditional knowledge holders can come to reimagine humanity’s future relationship to other forms of life, including plants and seeds.
Date Created
2024
Agent

Biocultural Affinities: Cultural Conceptualizations of Human-Environmental Connections in the Sonoran Desert

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Description
The following dissertation stories and analyzes the discourses and development of human-environmental connections in the Sonoran Desert. Firstly, after providing a brief introduction to the Sonoran Desert region, an overview of relevant theoretical, linguistic, and social psychological ideas is presented…

The following dissertation stories and analyzes the discourses and development of human-environmental connections in the Sonoran Desert. Firstly, after providing a brief introduction to the Sonoran Desert region, an overview of relevant theoretical, linguistic, and social psychological ideas is presented in relation to environmental orientation. Then, ten semi-structured interviews with environmentally-oriented individuals from two languacultures—White American (E group) and Mexican/Chicanx (S group)—are analyzed linguistically and thematically to uncover discursive and developmental patterns, respectively, of more-than-human affinities within and between groups. The results of the linguistic portion of the analysis—whose major codes include agentive verb use, personhood markers, I-constructions, and we-constructions—indicate a high degree of overlap between groups. Quantitatively, we-constructions and agentive verb use were more common than I-constructions and personhood markers, although the S group's greater use of I-constructions is of note. Qualitatively, consultants frequently identified emotive and/or cognitive functions not typically granted to more-than-human beings and perceived a degree of personhood within them, illuminating what might be considered a personhood-based affinity (which are linguistically demonstrated via the use of agentive verbs and personhood markers). Secondly, consultants instantiated a mirror-based affinity, which is built on the premise that humans and more-than-human beings can see themselves in one another. This type of affinity is exemplified by the use of I-constructions, and, as is the case for the personhood-based affinity, is most prevalent when referring to more-than-human beings perceived as discrete (e.g., animals, plants) when referring to direct mirrors (e.g., anthropomorphizing a more-than-human being), but is more common among more abstract more-than-human beings (e.g., desert/nature) when referring to scientific and/or spiritual parallels between humans and more-than-human beings. The final type of affinity identified—support-based affinity—is exemplified by the use of we-constructions, and is also most prevalent when referring to more abstract more-than-human beings. The results of the thematic portions of the analysis—whose major codes include cultural influences and more-than-human influences—similarly indicate a high degree of overlap between groups. Cultural influences were more prevalent among both groups, specifically family/friends/partners and education/media; however, it is of note that the first was more prevalent among S group consultants while the second was more prevalent among E group consultants. The more-than-human influences of emotional impact, receiving, and seeing oneself were popular among both. The overarching similarities identified between groups supports the idea that there is an environmentally-oriented cognition that extends beyond language and culture.
Date Created
2024
Agent

The Importance and Impact of Preserving Italian Culture, Food Traditions, and Local Identity

Description

This thesis discusses the importance and impact of preserving Italian culture, food traditions, and local identity. Reflecting on a year spent in Italy during the 2021-2022 academic school year, the author explores the significance and preservation of Italian culture, food…

This thesis discusses the importance and impact of preserving Italian culture, food traditions, and local identity. Reflecting on a year spent in Italy during the 2021-2022 academic school year, the author explores the significance and preservation of Italian culture, food traditions, and local identities. The thesis identifies three compelling rationales for their preservation: the health benefits derived from traditional practices, the positive environmental implications of maintaining biodiversity and sustainable methods, and the societal advantages of connected communities fostering a sense of belonging and purpose. Then, this thesis will examine how the nonprofit organization Slow Food, renowned for its commitment to preserving culinary heritage, raises awareness about the imperative need for preservation and education. The organization's core principles and ongoing initiatives serve as a model for championing these essential causes. Using academic analyses of the intersection between food and culture, this thesis establishes a comprehensive analysis of their connection and the significance of their preservation. This thesis draws on diverse sources, including the author's personal experiences during their study-abroad program in Italy. Through these lenses, the paper underscores the critical importance of upholding Italian culture and food traditions amidst evolving global food systems.

Date Created
2023-12
Agent

The Mediterranean Diet and Understanding Food and Health through Contemporary Perspectives

Description

A brief history of the Mediterranean diet and its geographical origins as a meeting point for cultures will guide understanding of the construction of this specific dietary pattern. The nutrients and foods typical of the Mediterranean diet will be outlined…

A brief history of the Mediterranean diet and its geographical origins as a meeting point for cultures will guide understanding of the construction of this specific dietary pattern. The nutrients and foods typical of the Mediterranean diet will be outlined as well as their health benefits, allowing for a deeper analysis of the ways in which the Mediterranean diet is associated with reducing the risk of certain chronic diseases. The lifestyle choices and physical activity practiced adjacently to the diet will establish the positive synergistic effects of conviviality and moderate exercise on general human health. Contemporary movements in the Mediterranean region, like Slow Foods, aim to preserve traditional dietary and lifestyle choices. In comparison, the U.S. food system seems to be most shaped by the influences of globalization and industrialization. Economic and health-cost perspectives as well as the role of modern-day media in diet trends, body image, and food marketing will establish and deepen the complexities of food choices and health disparities in Western societies. The diagnosis of the Mediterranean Diet in the U.S. as a solution to poor general population health will be challenged and holistic perspectives on eating will provide an exploratory lens for understanding health and food choice as a modern-day consumer.

Date Created
2023-05
Agent

Place-Based Relational Foodways in Italy: A Series of Podcasts that Focuses on the Work of Women Farmers in Southern Italy to Protect Biological and Cultural Diversity

Description

This creative project consists of a series of narrative and interactive videos that explains the Mediterranean Diet from both nutritional and cultural perspectives, its history, and shares the stories and insights of female farmers in Southern Italy. These women preserve…

This creative project consists of a series of narrative and interactive videos that explains the Mediterranean Diet from both nutritional and cultural perspectives, its history, and shares the stories and insights of female farmers in Southern Italy. These women preserve native ancient varieties of edible flora and cultural practices that have evolved with the plants and the territory. This video series recognizes the women preserving their traditions and local varieties native to Southern Italy and highlights the importance of local place-based eating and foodways. The videos provide questions and vocabulary to engage with the audience and challenge them to develop ideas and ruminate on the material presented.

Date Created
2022-05
Agent

Natural Disasters in Italy: Environmental & Cultural Resilience

Description
My creative project is a brand new Barrett, The Honors course that examines the complex and evolving intersections between natural disasters, culture, and resilience in Italy.
Date Created
2020-12
Agent
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