Chapter^>10: Agroecology, Food Sovereignty, and Urban Agriculture in the United States

Agroecology ◽  
2015 ◽  
pp. 178-193
2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (s1) ◽  
pp. 413-423
Author(s):  
Zuzanna Kruk-Buchowska

Abstract The aim of this paper is to analyze how Indigenous communities in the United States have been engaging in trans-Indigenous cooperation in their struggle for food sovereignty. I will look at inter-tribal conferences regarding food sovereignty and farming, and specifically at the discourse of the Indigenous Farming Conference held in Maplelag at the White Earth Reservation in northern Minnesota. I will show how it: (1) creates a space for Indigenous knowledge production and validation, using Indigenous methods (e.g., storytelling), without the need to adhere to Western scientific paradigms; (2) recovers pre-colonial maps and routes distorted by the formation of nation states; and (3) fosters novel sites for trans-indigenous cooperation and approaches to law, helping create a common front in the fight with neoliberal agribusiness and government. In my analysis, I will use Chadwick Allen’s (2014) concept of ‘trans-indigenism’ to demonstrate how decolonizing strategies are used by the Native American food sovereignty movement to achieve their goals.


2015 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
pp. 67-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yolanda Cristina Massieu Trigo ◽  
Blanca Olivia Acuña Rodarte

The production of biofuels in Mexico is a fledging project. Lack of planning, the obstacles presented by PEMEX, and the resistance of small farmers have limited their production. Even at this stage, however, some of its effects are increasingly clear: its socio-environmental violence affects the natural resources of peasants and indigenous communities. In addition, Mexico’s trade relationship with the United States, characterized by strong dependency, has affected its food sovereignty in that corn imports have become more expensive because of the increase in U.S. production of corn-derived ethanol. La producción de agrocombustibles en México es un proyecto incipiente. La falta de planeación, los obstáculos por parte de PEMEX, así como la resistencia por parte de los campesinos han limitado su producción. Sin embargo, aún en esta fase incipiente se per-ciben claramente algunos de sus efectos, los cuales consideramos como violencia socio-ambiental, ya que en principio atentan contra los recursos naturales de territorios campesinos e indígenas. Por otro lado, la relación comercial de México con Estados Unidos, caracterizada por una fuerte dependencia, ha incidido en la soberanía alimentaria del primero, ya que las importaciones de maíz se han encarecido debido al incremento de la producción de etanol a partir de este cereal en la nación vecina.


Elem Sci Anth ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margarita Fernandez ◽  
Justine Williams ◽  
Galia Figueroa ◽  
Garrett Graddy-Lovelace ◽  
Mario Machado ◽  
...  

Cuba’s transition to agroecology is perhaps as widely known as it is misunderstood. In response to the economic crisis of the early 1990s, the Cuban agricultural sector largely departed from the industrial model of food production that it had previously pursued. The subsequent transition towards an agroecological model has been a dynamic and uneven process, elevating Cuba on the world stage as a global leader in sustainable agriculture while at the same time producing unique challenges for Cuban farmers, policy makers, researchers and academics. This article synthesizes and updates contemporary literature on the Cuban agricultural system, paying attention to both successes and shortcomings of agroecology in Cuba to date. In particular, it situates these literatures alongside contributions from academics and practitioners alike, bringing a number of data sets, experiences, and perspectives into conversation in the context of changing realities within Cuba and the nation’s evolving geopolitical relationship with the United States. By analyzing both the historical and contemporary processes through which agroecology has taken root in Cuba, we demonstrate that, despite its uneven and incomplete implementation, such a sustainable agroecological transition holds great, untapped potential. Agroecology in Cuba currently faces pressure from normalizing Cuba-US relations, with potentially profound implications for agriculture in both countries. But increasing opportunities are also emerging for investment, collaboration, knowledge exchange, and solidarity. In this paper, we provide an overview of the evolution of the Cuban agroecology movement; analyze the state of food security and challenges to food sovereignty on the island today; outline US-Cuba policy changes occurring since December 2014 that may affect the agrifood sector; and conclude with recommendations for supporting agroecology – for food security, food sovereignty, and sustainability – under this new and evolving relationship. Please refer to Supplementary Materials, Full text Spanish version of this article, for a full text Spanish version of this article.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 2988 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alana Siegner ◽  
Jennifer Sowerwine ◽  
Charisma Acey

The aim of our review is to critically analyze the urban agriculture and urban food systems literature in order to understand the impact of urban-produced foods on community food security. We examine the role of city planning, food policy, and civic engagement in creating spaces for urban agriculture in cities across the United States, and whether (and how) these spaces promote food justice and food security. Bringing together multidisciplinary literature on access to urban agriculture and the distribution of urban-produced foods in a thematic, systematic review, we point out gaps in the academic research that would benefit from further study. The review integrates academic literature generated from Web of Science searches with gray literature identified through Google Alerts. We find that while there is a strong focus on elucidating the multiple benefits of urban agriculture, there are few studies that robustly measure the impact of urban farms on improving food security in low-income communities. Much of the literature is theoretical, focused on the production potential of urban agriculture, while more work is needed to understand and overcome barriers to access and distribution among communities in need. We conclude with a set of recommendations for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers who seek to create spaces in cities for food justice, equity, access, and sovereignty.


2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 31-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Hoover

Within the context of the broader food sovereignty literature, and with a specific focus on notions of America Indian sovereignty, this article explores how members of thirty-nine different Native American community farming and gardening projects in the United States describe and define food sovereignty, as both concept and method. This article further distinguishes how principles of food sovereignty are being operationalized in the broader goals of promoting community health, sustainability, and local economic systems, and of reclaiming and maintaining tribal culture.


2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 267-291
Author(s):  
Leah A. Walker

In order to spark progress in the form of urban farming, a basic understanding of the relevant history, benefits, and laws proves essential. Part II of this Comment introduces the history of urban agriculture in the United States. Part III narrows the historical focus to Detroit before discussing the benefits that accompany urban agriculture, which are essential to Detroit’s survival and potential revival. Finally, Part IV discusses the laws with the most widespread and immediate impact on urban farming in Detroit and reveals the significant role timing plays in starting an urban farm, as changes to the zoning ordinance loom.


Author(s):  
Sarah A. Blue ◽  
Amy Trauger ◽  
Hilda Kurtz ◽  
Jason Dittmer

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