Walking the Talk of Food Systems at a Small Land-Grant University: Overcoming Process Barriers to a Transdisciplinary Approach

In this paper we present the evolution of a transdisciplinary food systems (FS) initiative at a small land-grant university. The first indication of the relevance of food systems study at this university came from faculty and students, which then progressed to the establishment of structural changes...

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Main Authors: Jane Kolodinsky, Naomi K. Fukagawa, Erin Roche, Cynthia Belliveau, Haylley Johnson
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Lyson Center for Civic Agriculture and Food Systems 2016-07-01
Series:Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.foodsystemsjournal.org/index.php/fsj/article/view/116
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author Jane Kolodinsky
Naomi K. Fukagawa
Erin Roche
Cynthia Belliveau
Haylley Johnson
author_facet Jane Kolodinsky
Naomi K. Fukagawa
Erin Roche
Cynthia Belliveau
Haylley Johnson
author_sort Jane Kolodinsky
collection DOAJ
description In this paper we present the evolution of a transdisciplinary food systems (FS) initiative at a small land-grant university. The first indication of the relevance of food systems study at this university came from faculty and students, which then progressed to the establishment of structural changes and financial support by the administration. This commentary demonstrates that successfully incorporating transdisciplinary academic support, research, and educational programs is not an easy endeavor and requires multilevel buy-in from all strata within the organization. This approach also takes substantial time and resource commitment from faculty, staff, students, administration, and the community. If approached in a holistic, transdisciplinary manner, FS initiatives will link what universities do best with improvement in the FS continuum from food production to public health. As with most new initiatives, there are both barriers and triggers to success, and work is ongoing. Using the lens of the University of Vermont (UVM), this paper poses questions and provides best practice advice to others who seek collaboration across disciplines that goes beyond inter- or multidisciplinarity collaboration.
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spelling doaj.art-09e8f24c0a5647f6bad0466dfee2f01b2023-09-02T08:25:32ZengLyson Center for Civic Agriculture and Food SystemsJournal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development2152-08012016-07-012310.5304/jafscd.2012.023.015116Walking the Talk of Food Systems at a Small Land-Grant University: Overcoming Process Barriers to a Transdisciplinary ApproachJane Kolodinsky0Naomi K. Fukagawa1Erin Roche2Cynthia Belliveau3Haylley Johnson4University of VermontUniversity of VermontUniversity of VermontUniversity of VermontUniversity of VermontIn this paper we present the evolution of a transdisciplinary food systems (FS) initiative at a small land-grant university. The first indication of the relevance of food systems study at this university came from faculty and students, which then progressed to the establishment of structural changes and financial support by the administration. This commentary demonstrates that successfully incorporating transdisciplinary academic support, research, and educational programs is not an easy endeavor and requires multilevel buy-in from all strata within the organization. This approach also takes substantial time and resource commitment from faculty, staff, students, administration, and the community. If approached in a holistic, transdisciplinary manner, FS initiatives will link what universities do best with improvement in the FS continuum from food production to public health. As with most new initiatives, there are both barriers and triggers to success, and work is ongoing. Using the lens of the University of Vermont (UVM), this paper poses questions and provides best practice advice to others who seek collaboration across disciplines that goes beyond inter- or multidisciplinarity collaboration.https://www.foodsystemsjournal.org/index.php/fsj/article/view/116Community PartnersFood SystemsHigher EducationHigher Education Challenge GrantOrganizational DevelopmentTransdisciplinary
spellingShingle Jane Kolodinsky
Naomi K. Fukagawa
Erin Roche
Cynthia Belliveau
Haylley Johnson
Walking the Talk of Food Systems at a Small Land-Grant University: Overcoming Process Barriers to a Transdisciplinary Approach
Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development
Community Partners
Food Systems
Higher Education
Higher Education Challenge Grant
Organizational Development
Transdisciplinary
title Walking the Talk of Food Systems at a Small Land-Grant University: Overcoming Process Barriers to a Transdisciplinary Approach
title_full Walking the Talk of Food Systems at a Small Land-Grant University: Overcoming Process Barriers to a Transdisciplinary Approach
title_fullStr Walking the Talk of Food Systems at a Small Land-Grant University: Overcoming Process Barriers to a Transdisciplinary Approach
title_full_unstemmed Walking the Talk of Food Systems at a Small Land-Grant University: Overcoming Process Barriers to a Transdisciplinary Approach
title_short Walking the Talk of Food Systems at a Small Land-Grant University: Overcoming Process Barriers to a Transdisciplinary Approach
title_sort walking the talk of food systems at a small land grant university overcoming process barriers to a transdisciplinary approach
topic Community Partners
Food Systems
Higher Education
Higher Education Challenge Grant
Organizational Development
Transdisciplinary
url https://www.foodsystemsjournal.org/index.php/fsj/article/view/116
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