[Week 6: Reading Response]
Of this week’s readings, I particularly enjoyed reading the “Community-Initiated Dialogue: Strengthening the Community through the Local Food System” article by Thomson, Maretzki, and Harmon. I felt that this reading offered especially useful and practical strategies for generate dialogue about local and regional food systems.
In the article, the authors argue, “If a community wants a vibrant, economically viable local food system with a strong, sustainable agricultural base, then the residents of the community must move beyond individual conversations to more public dialogue” (194). This statement justifies the importance of community engagement and holistic planning. Individuals can make singular food choices up to a point; however, a complex food system necessitates involvement of everyone -- from production to consumption and waste management.
Because the food system’s complexity, it can be hard to find ways to attain the maximum level of community involvement. What’s more, the authors express that certain strategies are often required to unify different voices and interests (186). I thought the methods they mentioned about having residents interview other residents and community mapping were interesting because of the potential to include many stakeholders while gathering critical information and building individual buy-in.
The last point I thought was interesting -- and wanted to know more about -- was the use of GIS in food system mapping. I know Tallahassee has something like this, http://agsinter.leoncountyfl.gov/LeonGrowingGreen/index.html, which has locations of farmers markets, community gardens, local farms, as well as trails, bike paths, etc. I’d love to see how other cities are using this tool in addressing community food needs/access.
I thought the use of mapping was pretty interesting as well! My final project for GIS is going to be something relating to mapping food deserts, and it was so neat to see that Tallahassee has such a useful tool already. Maps are such a good way to portray information that will capture the readers eye, and relay information visually. In response to some of your earlier thoughts--I agree, a community food system that does not involve the community through public participatory actions, is lost.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a really cool project! I agree that mapping can help visualize information, and help readers connect pieces of information in ways that may not be as obvious in charts, tables, or written descriptions. It would be awesome if you shared it with this class when you're done!
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