Safe spaces for youth "At Risk": transformative learning through food system awareness

Morten Kromann Nielsen; Karen Wistoft

Safe spaces for youth "At Risk": transformative learning through food system awareness

Morten Kromann Nielsen
, Karen Wistoft

Research output: Contribution to conference without a publisher/journal › Abstract › Research › peer-review

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 Empowerment
Stream: Food Policies, Politics and Cultures
Presentation Type: Paper Presentation in a Themed Session in English
Paper: A paper has not yet been submitted

Translated title of the contribution	Sikre rum for udsatte unge: transformativ læring gennem 'Food System' opmærksomhed
Original language	English
Publication date	1 Jul 2015
Number of pages	1
Publication status	Published - 1 Jul 2015
Externally published	Yes
Event	Food Studies - Virginia, United States Duration: 18 Sept 2015 → 19 Sept 2015

Conference

Conference	Food Studies
Country/Territory	United States
City	Virginia
Period	18/09/15 → 19/09/15

Cite this

@conference{23e1cdff47c44eda86021fdb9594c315,

title = "Safe spaces for youth {"}At Risk{"}: transformative learning through food system awareness",

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 Empowerment Stream: Food Policies, Politics and Cultures Presentation Type: Paper Presentation in a Themed Session in English Paper: A paper has not yet been submitted",

author = "Nielsen, \{Morten Kromann\} and Karen Wistoft",

note = "Food studies conference, Virginia September the 18.-19. th. 2015.; Food Studies ; Conference date: 18-09-2015 Through 19-09-2015",

year = "2015",

month = jul,

day = "1",

language = "English",

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TY - ABST

T1 - Safe spaces for youth "At Risk"

T2 - Food Studies

AU - Nielsen, Morten Kromann

AU - Wistoft, Karen

N1 - Food studies conference, Virginia September the 18.-19. th. 2015.

PY - 2015/7/1

Y1 - 2015/7/1

N2 - 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 Empowerment Stream: Food Policies, Politics and Cultures Presentation Type: Paper Presentation in a Themed Session in English Paper: A paper has not yet been submitted

AB - 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 Empowerment Stream: Food Policies, Politics and Cultures Presentation Type: Paper Presentation in a Themed Session in English Paper: A paper has not yet been submitted

M3 - Abstract

Y2 - 18 September 2015 through 19 September 2015

ER -