Agriculture and Food Studies

Roman Agriculture and Food Production

by Paul Roberts

The Gift of the Middleman: An Ethnography of Quinoa Trading Networks in Los Lipez of Bolivia

by Andrew Ofstehage

Written for completion of MSc in Management of Agro-ecological Knowledge and Social Change at Wageningen University. Studies were carried out with Alberto Arce as supervisor in the Rural Development Sociology chairgroup.

Using ethnographic techniques, this research has followed quinoa from San Agustin to markets throughout Bolivia and... more Using ethnographic techniques, this research has followed quinoa from San Agustin to markets throughout Bolivia and detailed the interactions and transaction at each node of the networks. This has not been done with an idea of identifying the entire network, but with an attention to the actors and differentiated groups of people within the network. By conceptualising actors, communities, and regions I have attempted to avoid the trap of assuming homogeneity in favour of valuing difference among actors. An ethnographic focus is meant to have given importance to non-economic terms of value. While a typical economic paper may focus only on price, value margins, supply, and demand, this paper also considered pride, solidarity, value of services, and personal strategies.

Nusta Juira's Gift of Quinoa: Peasants, Trademarks, and Intermediaries in the Transformation of a Bolivian Commodity Economy

by Andrew Ofstehage

Published in 2011 in Anthropology of Work Review: 32(2) 103-114.

Farmers and activists in the Los Lipez region of Bolivia have created a symbolic commons that links their identity,... more Farmers and activists in the Los Lipez region of Bolivia have created a symbolic commons that links their identity, quinoa crop, and work. Since 2005, farmers have worked with regional activists and marketers to create a denomination of origin in order to project their work and connection with quinoa into international markets for their crop. Yet sales certified with the denomination of origin trademark have not significantly displaced other sales to buyers for the national cooperatives or to local intermediaries. Based on 4 months of ethnographic research with growers, local resellers, and leaders of the denomination of origin initiative, this case documents how the Bolivian quinoa market is a composite of varied market channels, interests, and values that inhibit the full realization of any single development approach. However, the complexity that actor agency introduces into commodity circulation results in earnings at different scales, the movement of multiple qualities of quinoa, transactions in formal and informal settings, and a more resilient life sphere of agricultural production.

The construction of an alternative quinoa economy: balancing solidarity, household needs, and profit in San Agustín, Bolivia

by Andrew Ofstehage

In Press: Agriculture and Human Values

Quinoa farmers in San Agustín, Bolivia face the dilemma of producing for a growing international market while... more Quinoa farmers in San Agustín, Bolivia face the dilemma of producing for a growing international market while defending their community interests and resources, meeting their basic household needs, and making a profit. Farmers responded to a changing market in the 1970s by creating committees in defense of quinoa and farmer cooperatives to represent their interests and maximize economic returns. Today farmer cooperatives offer high, stable prices, politically represent farmers, and are major quinoa exporters, but intermediaries continue to play an important role in the local economy. Meanwhile, some farmers rebuff the national cooperatives and intermediaries in favor of a denomination of origin and closer association with local cooperatives. This article, based on 4 months of ethnographic research, explores the reasons for the continued presence of intermediaries on the market landscape and how farmers have worked to create a quinoa economy embedded with fair trade values. Farmers demand stable prices, flexible standards, provision of services, and promises of maintaining the distinctive qualities of San Agustín quinoa. They frame their trades in economic, utility, and solidarity terms to reflect their livelihood strategies, farming capabilities, and personal concepts of fair trade. Meanwhile cooperatives, development initiatives, and intermediaries each argue that their particular buying practices allow farmers to attain household goods, credit, and cash for food and economic security.

The Gift of the Middleman: An Ethnography of Quinoa Trading Networks in Los Lipez of Bolivia

by Andrew Ofstehage

Written for completion of MSc in Management of Agro-ecological Knowledge and Social Change at Wageningen University. Studies were carried out with Alberto Arce as supervisor in the Rural Development Sociology chairgroup.

Using ethnographic techniques, this research has followed quinoa from San Agustin to markets throughout Bolivia and... more Using ethnographic techniques, this research has followed quinoa from San Agustin to markets throughout Bolivia and detailed the interactions and transaction at each node of the networks. This has not been done with an idea of identifying the entire network, but with an attention to the actors and differentiated groups of people within the network. By conceptualising actors, communities, and regions I have attempted to avoid the trap of assuming homogeneity in favour of valuing difference among actors. An ethnographic focus is meant to have given importance to non-economic terms of value. While a typical economic paper may focus only on price, value margins, supply, and demand, this paper also considered pride, solidarity, value of services, and personal strategies.

Nusta Juira's Gift of Quinoa: Peasants, Trademarks, and Intermediaries in the Transformation of a Bolivian Commodity Economy

by Andrew Ofstehage

Published in 2011 in Anthropology of Work Review: 32(2) 103-114.

Farmers and activists in the Los Lipez region of Bolivia have created a symbolic commons that links their identity,... more Farmers and activists in the Los Lipez region of Bolivia have created a symbolic commons that links their identity, quinoa crop, and work. Since 2005, farmers have worked with regional activists and marketers to create a denomination of origin in order to project their work and connection with quinoa into international markets for their crop. Yet sales certified with the denomination of origin trademark have not significantly displaced other sales to buyers for the national cooperatives or to local intermediaries. Based on 4 months of ethnographic research with growers, local resellers, and leaders of the denomination of origin initiative, this case documents how the Bolivian quinoa market is a composite of varied market channels, interests, and values that inhibit the full realization of any single development approach. However, the complexity that actor agency introduces into commodity circulation results in earnings at different scales, the movement of multiple qualities of quinoa, transactions in formal and informal settings, and a more resilient life sphere of agricultural production.

The construction of an alternative quinoa economy: balancing solidarity, household needs, and profit in San Agustín, Bolivia

by Andrew Ofstehage

In Press: Agriculture and Human Values

Quinoa farmers in San Agustín, Bolivia face the dilemma of producing for a growing international market while... more Quinoa farmers in San Agustín, Bolivia face the dilemma of producing for a growing international market while defending their community interests and resources, meeting their basic household needs, and making a profit. Farmers responded to a changing market in the 1970s by creating committees in defense of quinoa and farmer cooperatives to represent their interests and maximize economic returns. Today farmer cooperatives offer high, stable prices, politically represent farmers, and are major quinoa exporters, but intermediaries continue to play an important role in the local economy. Meanwhile, some farmers rebuff the national cooperatives and intermediaries in favor of a denomination of origin and closer association with local cooperatives. This article, based on 4 months of ethnographic research, explores the reasons for the continued presence of intermediaries on the market landscape and how farmers have worked to create a quinoa economy embedded with fair trade values. Farmers demand stable prices, flexible standards, provision of services, and promises of maintaining the distinctive qualities of San Agustín quinoa. They frame their trades in economic, utility, and solidarity terms to reflect their livelihood strategies, farming capabilities, and personal concepts of fair trade. Meanwhile cooperatives, development initiatives, and intermediaries each argue that their particular buying practices allow farmers to attain household goods, credit, and cash for food and economic security.

"Real Belizean Food": Building Local Identity in the Transnational Caribbean

by Richard Wilk

American Anthropologist, New Series, Vol. 101, No. 2 (Jun., 1999), pp. 244-255 Published by: Blackwell Publishing on behalf of the American Anthropological Association Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/683199

Food and cooking can be an avenue toward understanding complex issues of cultural change and transnational culturalmore Food and cooking can be an avenue toward understanding complex issues of cultural change and transnational cultural
flow. Using examples from Belize, I discuss the transformation from late colonial times to the present in terms of hierarchies of cuisine and changes in taste. In recent Belizean history, food has been used in personal and political contexts to
create a sense of the nation at the same time that increased political and economic dependency has undercut national autonomy.
I suggest several possible ways to conceptualize t he complex and  contradictory relationship between local and global
culture.

Recycling pulp mill sludge to improve soil fertility using GIS tools

by Antonio Albuquerque

P. Ribeiro, A. Albuquerque, L. Quinta-Nova, V. Cavaleiro
Resources, Conservation & Recycling, 2010, V. 54, 12, 1303–1311.

Pulp mill sludge produced in the Cova da Beira region (Portugal) contains organic matter (11–47%), nitrogen (38–2560mg... more Pulp mill sludge produced in the Cova da Beira region (Portugal) contains organic matter (11–47%), nitrogen (38–2560mg N/kg) and phosphorus (167–370mg P/kg), which may be valuable for increasing soil productivity. The levels of heavy metals are below the limits recommended by legislation and the
amount of nitrogen and phosphorous to be introduced in soils does not present a risk for nutrient leaching.
After identifying the environmental and technical restrictions on its application, an area of 1650 ha was identified where the sludge can be applied in forage crops, fruit trees, olive groves and vineyards. A suitable area was also found for a biosolids storage centre. The use of GIS allowed to define a sludge
application index and to produce land-use suitability maps, which can be useful for sludge management.

The Perfect Solution: How Trans Fats Became the Healthy Replacement for Saturated Fats

by David Schleifer

David Schleifer. 2012 “The Perfect Solution: How Trans Fats Became the Healthy Replacement for Saturated Fats.” Technology and Culture 53(1): 94-119.

Trans fats became part of the American food system due to a complex interplay among activism, industrial technology,... more Trans fats became part of the American food system due to a complex interplay among activism, industrial technology, and nutritional science. Some manufacturers began using partially hydrogenated oils, which contain trans fats, in the early twentieth century. Medical authorities began framing saturated fats as unhealthy in the 1950s. In the 1980s, activist organizations, including the Center for Science in the Public Interest, condemned food corporations’ use of saturated fats and endorsed trans fats as an acceptable alternative. Nearly all targeted corporations responded by replacing saturated fats with trans fats, which fit easily into their existing products. Trans fats thus became the perfect solution to the political problem of saturated fats and to the technical problem of what to use in their place. Activists helped precipitate technological change, but by 1994, trans fats were no longer regarded as a solution. Instead, they became regarded as a new nutritional problem.

Soaring food and fuel prices: Their impact on public finances and other causes of persistently high consumer price inflation in North African and Middle Eastern countries

by Marga Peeters

co-authored with Ronald Albers

World food prices are now even higher than their peak just before the global crisis. During periods of high commodity... more World food prices are now even higher than their peak just before the global crisis. During periods of high commodity prices, North African and Middle Eastern governments have a long tradition of subsidising food and fuel products. But this column shows that food price inflation and consequently subsidies were also high during periods when global commodity prices were falling. Now these countries have an opportunity to correct this.

Currying Favour With the Locals': Balti Owners and Business Enclaves

by Tahir Abbas

The often-dynamic presence of South Asians in particular economic activities has prompted ambivalent responses from... more The often-dynamic presence of South Asians in particular economic activities has prompted ambivalent responses from policymakers. For some, there is encouragement to “break out” from ethnic niche businesses like lower-order retailing and catering. Another ploy is to promote a strategy of “‘ethnic advantage” by exploiting “cultural” features of a particular community. Examples include the marketing of what can be termed “ethnic enclaves” like “Chinatown” in Manchester and “Little Italy” in Boston (USA). This paper reports on an initiative to exploit the tourist potential of South Asian cuisine by developing a “Balti Quarter” in Birmingham. The results highlight a number of key issues involved in operationalising this increasingly popular strategy. First, the unitarist conceptualisation of the notion of an ethnic enclave obscures the harshly competitive environment that small ethnic minority firms like those in the “Balti Quarter” have to operate in. Second, the often ad hoc way in which such inner city areas are regulated (through planning guidelines) can intensify the competitive pressures facing many firms in the area. Finally, the “external” focus of the initiative runs the risk of masking chronic issues within the firm (e.g. poor working environments) which policymakers should be equally concerned with.

Food Commodities Speculation and Food Price Crises: A reply

by Valéri Natanelov

A short paper written as a reply to the briefing note (September 2010) of Olivier De Schutter (UN special rapporteur on the right to food)
The briefing note itself can be found here:
http://www.srfood.org/index.php/en/component/content/article/894-food-commodities-speculation-and-food-price-crises

The objective of this short paper is to offer a holistic perspective on impact of speculation and food price crises.... more The objective of this short paper is to offer a holistic perspective on impact of speculation and food price crises. The general opinion seems to accept that speculation lies at the roots of the food price crises. In this paper, I try to advocate that those opinions mainly stem forth from the complexity of the matter and the failure of the scientific community to communicate optimally with policy makers and advisers.

Food Commodities Speculation and Food Price Crises: A reply

by Valéri Natanelov

A short paper written as a reply to the briefing note (September 2010) of Olivier De Schutter (UN special rapporteur on the right to food)
The briefing note itself can be found here:
http://www.srfood.org/index.php/en/component/content/article/894-food-commodities-speculation-and-food-price-crises

The objective of this short paper is to offer a holistic perspective on impact of speculation and food price crises.... more The objective of this short paper is to offer a holistic perspective on impact of speculation and food price crises. The
general opinion seems to accept that speculation lies at the roots of the food price crises. In this paper, I try to
advocate that those opinions mainly stem forth from the complexity of the matter and the failure of the scientific
community to communicate optimally with policy makers and advisers.

Organic Retailers in Italy: challenges and growth trends

by Cristina Santini

Percy Shelley, Snacker Poet

by Tim Morton

Published in Moving Worlds 6.2 (2006), 22–29.

Shelley's vegetarian eating habits were an avant garde version of what is now taken for granted as grazing and snacking. Shelley's vegetarian eating habits were an avant garde version of what is now taken for granted as grazing and snacking.

Food Studies in the Romantic Period: (S)mashing History

by Tim Morton

Published in Romanticism 12.1 (2006), 1–4.

The promises and perils of food studies: in particular, the way in which food is fetishized as ontically given. The promises and perils of food studies: in particular, the way in which food is fetishized as ontically given.

"Vegetarian," "Vegan," and "Animal Welfare" encyclopedia entries in "Green Food" Environmental Guide.

by Carrie Packwood Freeman

ENCYCLOPEDIA ENTRIES: Freeman, C. P. (2010). Encyclopedia entries for VEGETARIAN, VEGAN, and ANIMAL WELFARE. In P. Robbins, D. Mulvaney, & J. Golson (Eds). Green Food: An A-Z Guide, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc. Part of Sage’s Green Series of online reference publications.

An encyclopedia of green/sustainable food and agricultural practices An encyclopedia of green/sustainable food and agricultural practices

Meat’s Place on the Campaign Menu: How U.S. Environmental Discourse Negotiates Vegetarianism

by Carrie Packwood Freeman

JOURNAL ARTICLE:  Freeman, C. P. (2010). Meat’s Place on the Campaign Menu: How U.S. Environmental Discourse Negotiates Vegetarianism. Environmental Communication: A Journal of Nature and Culture, 4(3), 255 - 276.

Given the impact of America's food choices, particularly animal-based foods, on life-sustaining systems, to what... more Given the impact of America's food choices, particularly animal-based foods, on life-sustaining systems, to what extent is the environmental movement making meat-based diets an issue? This research analyzes websites of 15 US environmental advocacy organizations to examine how they negotiate the question of animal versus plant-based diets and propose solutions for food producers and consumers. Environmental organizations proposed that industrial agriculture and commercial fishing/aquaculture severely limit destructive practices to more sustainably meet consumer demand for animal products. Environmental organizations offered consumers choices, including: (1) replacement of much industrial food with local, organic, and/or sustainable animal or plant foods, (2) reduction of animal products, and, to a lesser degree, (3) vegetarianism. To consistently promote justice for all animals, the author recommends environmental discourse more explicitly critique animal agriculture/fishing as a primary source of environmental problems, consider food needs not just preferences, and promote fundamental changes toward a plant-based, largely organic diet.

This Little Piggy Went to Press: The American News Media's Construction of Animals In Agriculture

by Carrie Packwood Freeman

JOURNAL ARTICLE: Freeman, C. P. (2009). This Little Piggy Went to Press: The American News Media's Construction of Animals in Agriculture. The Communication Review, 12(1), 78 -103.

This textual analysis examines the representations of farmed animals in national print and broadcast news discourse in... more This textual analysis examines the representations of farmed animals in national print and broadcast news discourse in over 100 stories published from 2000 to 2003. Findings show these American news media largely support the speciesist status quo by favoring elite viewpoints and failing to provide balance. Although exceptions are provided, news media often objectify nonhuman animals discursively through: 1) commodification, 2) failure to acknowledge their emotional perspectives, and 3) failure to describe them as inherently valuable individuals.