María Estelí Jiménez-Soto (NFS-FST) PI and Rick Welsh (NFS – FST) co-I, 2022 Falk Tenure-track Assistant Professor Research Seed Grants. 7/1/22-6/30/23
Efforts to conserve biodiversity, adapt to climate change, and address food sovereignty are critical for the survival of small farms in rural and urban areas of Central New York. This research focuses on the challenges of rural and urban small-scale farmers and community gardeners in the face of global environmental change, and their adaptation strategies. Drawing from diverse farmers’ perspectives, this project will Identify the challenges facing smallholders to adapt to a dynamic and changing environment; Identify agroecosystem strategies adopted by small-scale farmers; and Identify socio-ecological barriers and opportunities to maintain and adopt new agroecological practices. This research will help mobilize local agroecological knowledge, strengthen climate change adaptation, conserve biodiversity, and reclaim land for culturally appropriate food in our community.