Abstract
The paper will discuss how farm based empowerment programs directed at youth "at risk" through the construction of "safe spaces" around farming, cooking and different workshops, and with a critical approach to the food system can provide a framework for transformative learning. Data in the research project is produced through long term anthropological fieldwork with participant observations and ethnographic interviews with a cohort of high school youth participating in a specific Californian program. Narratives from the youth illustrate a variety within the program discourse of empowerment as different motivations, strategies and outcomes from participation in the program activities that can be identified in two main trajectories: network building and job training and emerging activist identities engaging youth in food justice issues and movement building in local communities. The research shows how a specific pedagogy as it is practiced and contextualized within a critical approach to the food system can engage and motivate high school youth to transform social relations, identities and learning. On a general level the research contributes to current discussions on the potentials for learning, democratic participation and citizenship education through farming and gardening. Keywords: Food Systems, Transformative Learning, Youth EmpowermentStream: Food Policies, Politics and Cultures Presentation Type: Paper Presentation in a Themed Session in English Paper: A paper has not yet been submitted
| Originalsprog | Engelsk |
|---|---|
| Publikationsdato | 1 jul. 2015 |
| Status | Udgivet - 1 jul. 2015 |
| Udgivet eksternt | Ja |
Emneord
- Safe spaces
- Youth at risk
- Transformative learning spaces
- Food Systems
- Awareness
- Out-door eduaction
- Food systems
- safe spaces
- farming practices
- youth at risk
- cooking
- tasting experience
- personal development