Browsing by Author "Clark, Susan F."

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    Case Study on a Container Gardening Program:  Can Home Food Production Impact Community Food Security in Rural Appalachia?
    Dobson, Elizabeth Rose (Virginia Tech, 2016-06-29)
    Home gardening has historically been a subsistence or supplemental form of food procurement worldwide and promoted as a food security project in times of economic hardship. Qualitative research was used to investigate container gardening's potential to provide the impetus for further agricultural activities within low-income, low-food-access, rural Appalachian Virginia, thereby impacting community food security, food choices of individuals, and the local food system. Ethnography and phenomenology methodologies were used through the lens of community-engaged research, and the lived experiences of participants were recognized as valid representations of food insecurity. Semi-structured interviews with fourteen participating households revealed program involvement was deeply connected to previous food production experiences and fueled by existing interest in home gardening. Containers were valued as providing alternative modes to continue a meaningful practice, specifically mitigating challenges of limited mobility for the elderly. As rural areas are experiencing an outmigration of young people and struggling social services, container gardening could be utilized as a low-cost culturally appropriate mental- and nutritional-health service for the rural elderly. Similar initiatives should begin with appreciative inquiry into existing perceptions, values, assets, and potentials within a target community. Through preliminary investigation, needs and barriers can be acknowledged and community-identified solutions can be implemented through culturally sensitive program development. With the existing impetus for home gardening in the region, program expansion could potentially impact food security and the local food system. Overall, this case study serves to further endorse a public effort to support home food production in rural areas of the United States.
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    Community Food Work as Critical Practice: A Faith-based Perspective
    Landis, Rebecca Danielle (Virginia Tech, 2015-08-31)
    Historically, many faith-based hunger relief efforts address food insecurity through the emergency food system, but they often do not challenge the systemic causes of the need, which according to some, are poverty and inequality. As a promising alternative, community food work is a radical approach to food system change that imbues values of justice, sustainability, and equity into the food system to reduce the pervasiveness of poverty and inequality in society. I used narrative inquiry as methodology in a faith-based context to explore the role of criticality in community food work. Additionally, I explored the treatment of hegemony in these practitioners' critically reflective practice. I engaged six practitioners in narrative-based interviews and subsequently asked them to read and analyze their own interview. I then gathered all participants for a collective reflection session where we reflected on excerpts from the interviews and used them as a foundation for further dialogue and reflection. Each practitioner used their faith to varying degrees in the performance of their work. I found significant notions of feeling called to serve, and bringing God's kingdom to earth, but an avoidance to use this work to evangelize. The narratives reflected community food work as a community development effort and extended beyond the context of food. Affirming, trusting relationships serve as a foundation to how this group of practitioners approach their work, and provide the space to interact with their work in radical ways and raise critical consciousness.
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    A Comparative Study of Dietary Habits among College Students At-Risk and Not-At-Risk for Eating Disorders and how Such Habits Compare to the Dietary Guidelines
    Payne, Kate (Virginia Tech, 2008-04-30)
    Objective: To examine associations between eating disorder (ED) risk and dietary habits. Also, to determine if ED risk changes after exposure to nutrition education and to investigate how the dietary habits in both at-risk (AR) and not-at-risk (NAR) college students compare the Dietary Guidelines (DG). Design: A longitudinal observational study over one academic year. Self-reported dietary intake was collected via seven-day food records. The Eating Attitudes Test 26 (EAT-26) was used to assess ED risk. Subjects underwent measurements of height, weight, skin fold, waist circumference and hip circumference. Subjects/Setting: Data from 507 students enrolled in one of two fall 2005 nutrition/health courses at a land grant university in southwest Virginia were analyzed. Main Outcome Measures: ED risk, mean daily intake of fruits, vegetables, fiber, whole grains, protein, total calories, and changes in ED risk over one academic year. BMI, weight change, percent body fat, and waist circumference were also evaluated. Statistical Analysis Performed: Associations between ED risk and mean daily intake of dietary variables were assessed using independent samples t-tests (p<0.05). Changes in mean EAT-26 scores were assessed using paired-t tests. Changes in the proportion of subjects categorized as AR and NAR were evaluated using Chi-square analysis. Results: This study was completed by 192 subjects. Those AR consumed significantly fewer calories than NAR subjects in both September. In April, AR subjects consumed significantly fewer fried vegetable servings than NAR subjects. Chi-square analysis in April revealed that the size of the NAR group increased thus reducing the size of the AR group. Overall, subjects' diets failed to meet the DG for fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and dietary fiber. Conclusion: Overall dietary intake did not vary significantly between AR and NAR subjects, excepting lower caloric intake and fewer fried vegetable servings in those AR. Both groups failed to meet the DG for fruits, vegetables, whole grains and dietary fiber. Application: Educational interventions emphasizing the DG may improve ED risk but warrant more specific targeting of poor dietary habits in order to increase the college population's compliance with the DG.
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    Copper status in multiple trauma patients: measurement of copper balance, serum copper and ceruloplasmin
    Clark, Susan F. (Virginia Tech, 1990-10-17)
    Changes in copper metabolism have been reported in both thermal injury and skeletal trauma; data regarding copper status in multiple trauma patients (MTP) are nonexistent. Hypercatabolism following multiple trauma may increase copper utilization, deplete copper stores and compromise cuproenzyme synthesis and function. The purpose of this study was to provide information on copper status in MTP and determine whether age, injury severity, clinical outcome or nutritional intake influenced copper status. Twenty-four hour copper losses, serum copper and ceruloplasmin were measured in 11 MTP with Injury Severity Scores (ISS) >12 at 24-48 hours post admission. Collections of biological fluids (urine, nasogastric, chest tube, drains, stools) were analyzed for copper using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) and quantified over 5 days. Serial serum copper and ceruloplasmin were determined on days 1,3,5,10,15 and patient discharge by ASS and rate nephelometry inmunoprecipition, respectively. Eight patients received parenteral nutrition (PN). Three received intravenous glucose/electrolyte infusions (IV). urine (n=11) and nasogastric losses (n=8) were statistically greater than normal (p<.001). The mean ± SEM cumulative copper losses of urine, chest tube drainage, nasogastric secretions and other drains were 790 ± 116 (n=11), 833 ± 130 (n=7), 261 ± 46 (n+8), and 150 ± 58 μg/5 d (n=8), respectively. Urinary losses represented 10 to 12 times the normal copper excretion. Serum copper on day 1 and ceruloplasmin day 3 were significantly higher than normal (p<.025). Cumulative copper balance in the IV group was - 2266 μg and -440 μg in the PN group. No relationship was found between copper loss and ISS. Patients in their twenties demonstrated the greatest urinary copper loss. The physiological and biochemical effects of extensive copper loss in the MTP require further evaluation. These patients may have a predisposition to copper deficiency due to excessive copper losses and may require increased copper supplementation.
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    Dietary Research within the Context of a Community-Based Food System
    Byker Shanks, Carmen (Virginia Tech, 2011-07-14)
    In an effort to begin filling a gap in the scientific literature about community-based food systems and promote food environment changes to increase dietary quality, this dissertation focuses on community-based food systems research with two different populations: Head Start families in southwest Virginia and Heifer International Alternative Spring Break (ASB) college student participants at Virginia Tech. Fresh Produce, Fresh Start (FPFS) tested the effectiveness of a local, fresh fruit and vegetable delivery program on dietary intake and purchasing patterns of Head Start families. FPFS utilized a one-group double pre-test post-test was conduced on two occasions at each of the two sites. Measures collected included: food-use questionnaire, height and weight, food security questionnaire, 24-hour recall, program process evaluation, and food receipts. Fifty-one of 67 (76%) of eligible participants were recruited. For dietary recalls completed (n = 29, 57%), significant increases were found in intake of vitamin A, vitamin C, fiber, vegetable, and fruit and vegetable (FV) servings combined, based upon paired t-tests (p <.05). Based on receipt data (n = 22, 43%), the proportion of fresh produce purchases significantly increased for both number of items and monetary costs, based upon a Wilcoxon Signed-Ranks Test (p < .05). A second study was conducted to examine the impacts of the Heifer Alternative Spring Break (ASB) programs on Virginia Tech student's attitudes, motivations, diet, and behaviors regarding community-based food systems before and after a one-week intensive program. The design was quasi-experimental, using a one-group pre-test, post-test, and follow-up. Participants completed questionnaires, dietary recalls, and journals. Forty-three of 43 (100%) of eligible participants enrolled in the study. Although increases in local and organic foods were observed, there were no significant changes in dietary quality. The intervention showed significant increases in local and organic food consumption for individuals that consumed less than 50% of their calories from local and organic foods at baseline based upon a paired t-test (p < .05). The findings from these studies offer evidence of the capacity for community-based food systems to change dietary patterns, across different populations.
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    Ecological and Human Health in Rural Communities
    Gohlke, Julia M.; Kolivras, Korine N.; Krometis, Leigh-Anne H.; Marmagas, Susan West; Marr, Linsey C.; Satterwhite, Emily M.; Angermeier, Paul L.; Clark, Susan F.; Ranganathan, Shyam; Schoenholtz, Stephen H.; Swarup, Samarth; Thompson, Christopher K. (2017-05-15)
    Environmental exposures to chemicals and microbes in the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, and the objects we touch are now recognized to be responsible for 90% of all human illness. This suggests that well-documented health disparities within and between nations have significant geographic and ecological as well as socioeconomic dimensions that must be addressed in order to secure human well-being at local to global scales. While urbanization is a primary driver of global change, it is widely acknowledged that urbanization is dependent on large-scale resource extraction and agriculture in rural communities. Despite considerable evidence linking human industrial and agricultural activities to ecological health (i.e. health of an ecosystem including the non-human organisms that inhabit it), very little data are available directly linking exposure to environmental pollution and human health in rural areas, which have repeatedly been identified as subject to the most extreme health disparities...
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    Engaging values in sustainable agriculture and food systems education: Toward an explicitly values-based pedagogical approach
    Galt, Ryan E.; Clark, Susan F.; Parr, Damian (2012)
    Agriculture education programs that provide integrative learning experiences that reflect the complexities, values, and challenges inherent to sustainable agriculture and food systems (SAFS) continue to evolve as faculty, staff, and students implement, experience, and modify them. Higher education institutions, especially land-grant universities, have strengths that position them to implement transformative learning and action methodologies. In this article we explore the principles, approaches, and practices consistent with integrative learning and a values-based pedagogical approach to curriculum design and teaching specific to SAFS. By a values-based pedagogical approach, we mean paying explicit attention to the values that (1) underpin different agricultural and food systems and their governance, (2) inform and shape educational strategies and experiences, and (3) are held by different individuals in various encounters in the learning environment. A values-based approach to SAFS curriculum development, teaching, and integrative learning is dynamic rather than static. We provide illustrations of practices across the education "life-cycle" - curriculum design, implementation, and evaluation - that have used values-based pedagogy to guide the development, modification, and strengthening of SAFS curricula. Finally, we discuss some limitations and issues that arise when using such pedagogical frameworks. We conclude by challenging educators to focus on connecting values relevant to SAFS with innovative curricular practices that allow emergence of new ways of teaching, learning, and knowing for all.
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    An Evaluation of 1) Bone Changes Following Bariatric Surgery and 2) Fat and Muscle Indices Assessed by pQCT: Implications for Osteoporosis and Type-2 Diabetes Risk
    Butner, Katrina Lindauer (Virginia Tech, 2010-10-29)
    STUDY 1 Aim: To compare the effects of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) on changes in bone mineral density (BMD), weight loss and blood biomarkers related to bone turnover, hormonal, and nutrient status. Subjects: Nine bariatric surgery patients. Methods: Patients had a DXA bone scan and fasting blood draw at baseline, three, and six months following surgery. Results: RYGB patients had greater weight loss vs. LAGB at both three (mean loss: 19 vs. 9%) and six months (26 vs. 11%), p<0.01. RYGB patients lost an average of 7% hip BMD at six months. Hip BMD loss at six months was correlated to decreased leptin (r=0.88) and increased adiponectin (r=-0.82), p<0.05. Bone turnover was indicated by elevated serum bone biomarkers after surgery. Conclusions: Research with larger sample sizes is warranted to better evaluate potential implications for late-life osteoporosis risk following bariatric surgery. STUDY 2 Aim: To determine repeatability for IMAT and muscle density, to evaluate the distribution of foreleg muscle and fat indices measured by pQCT and to determine predictors of muscle density and type-2 diabetes risk. Subjects: 82 women with varying BMI and physical activity levels. Methods: Subjects had DXA and pQCT bone scans, a fasting blood draw, and completed a 4-day physical activity record. Results: Fat and muscle distribution in the foreleg was highly correlated to total and central body adiposity. The pQCT device reliably measured muscle density (CV=0.8%), thus justifying use as surrogates for IMAT. Muscle density was positively related to physical activity (r=0.29; p<0.05) and negatively associated with markers of fat distribution and risk for type-2 diabetes [HOMA-IR (r=-0.44, p<0.01)]. Conclusions: Further research is necessary to determine whether specific fat or muscle depots can be targeted through exercise training to help with the prevention and treatment of obesity or type-2 diabetes.
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    An Exploration of the Structure, Issue Framing and Priorities of Virginia's Food Policy Groups to Collaborate on a Healthy, Resilient and Sustainable Food System
    Walker, Ayron Elizabeth (Virginia Tech, 2019-06-18)
    Food policy groups (FPG) have emerged in the United States (U.S.) to create healthy, resilient and sustainable food systems. There is a lack of research about FPG in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This M.S. thesis describes a mixed-methods study that investigated the structure, issue framing, activities and priorities of diverse FPG in Virginia to develop a healthy, resilient and sustainable food system framed around three research objectives. Objective one used a scoping review to inventory and visually map the location of Virginia's FPG. Objective two administered a validated, online questionnaire to document activities related to organizational capacity, social capital, context, effectiveness, and community outcomes. Objective three used a semi-structured interview guide to explore stakeholders' views about opportunities and challenges to align diverse FPG priorities and interests. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and qualitative data were transcribed, hand-coded, and analyzed for emergent themes. Results found that 58% of FPG (n=32/55) are located cities around universities (i.e., Richmond, Blacksburg and Charlottesville), and fewer located in rural counties with higher health outcomes. A majority (75%, n=12/16) operated on annual budget less than $50,000. A third (37.5%, n=6/16) reported food system resilience work and 50% (n=8/16) reported sustainability work. Stakeholders (n=11) reported collaboration as a mutual interest and necessary to address systemic challenges and all interviewed FPG (n=11) reported sustainable funding as a major challenge. The results of this study may inform future policies for Virginia's FPG to support a healthy, resilient and sustainable food system at local, state and national levels.
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    Food Deserts in Virginia
    Grant, Alan; Hairston, Jewel E.; Bendfeldt, Eric S.; Clark, Susan F.; Crawford, Cheryl; Denckla-Cobb, Tanya; Jackson, Franklin; Jones, Debra S.; Jones, Edwin J.; McFerren, Mary M.; Niewolny, Kimberly L.; Odeh, Oluwarotimi; Reese, Felicia; Rose, Antwan; Tyler-Mackey, Crystal (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2014-01-22)
    The purpose of the Virginia Food Desert Study Report is to determine the current status of food deserts in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The report identifies challenges, consequences, strategies, and resources to address food deserts and offers recommendations for the Virginia General Assembly's consideration and action.
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    Internationalizing sustainable agriculture education
    Schroeder-Moreno, Michelle S.; Clark, Susan F.; Byker Shanks, Carmen; Zhao, Xin (2012)
    Integration of international learning experiences into sustainable agriculture (SA) educational programs represents a unique and effective approach to help students improve their global awareness and citizenship, intercultural communication, problem-solving skills, and career development. While there are challenges to establishing international educational activities in emerging SA programs, the benefits of providing students with a global perspective to the worlds' food systems far exceed those challenges. This paper formalizes key considerations and diverse approaches for developing student-centered international educational opportunities for sustainable agriculture that have been assembled from literature research and from the collective experiences of the authors. A holistic approach is described, beginning with developing strong international partnerships built on reciprocity and understanding the diversity of international learning opportunities and development considerations; establishing learning outcomes and assessment; and appreciating current opportunities and challenges. While many of the experiences and examples come from land-grant universities (LGUs), enhancing a global perspective to all types of SA programs at various institutions is vital for preparing future food system leaders to advance sustainable agriculture in the global community. The information in this paper is valuable for SA educators interested in developing new international educational opportunities and also may stimulate further communication about shared pedagogical strategies related to international SA education.
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    Mapping the Campus Food System: Assessing Consumer Awareness of VT Dining Services Garden at Kentland Farm
    Cricenti, Johanna (Virginia Tech, 2013-05)
    Student farms and gardens are part of a movement concerning local food systems and direct connections between producers and consumers. Although student farms began decades ago, recently their numbers and impacts have increased. Campuses have integrated student farm and garden projects, offering authentic experiential learning opportunities for students, as successful measures of sustainability. This study explores student perceptions of the campus food systems related to the Virginia Tech (VT) Dining Garden and the Farms & Fields project venue in a main campus dining hall. A twenty question survey was created to assess student-awareness and interest in the VT Dining Garden using mixed quantitative and qualitative methods and analysis. The survey was conducted in two dining halls, over two time periods, lunch and dinner, to ensure a broad range of consumers. Surveys (n=600) were distributed with a total response rate of 50.3%. Results overall showed 55% consumer awareness of the project. Close to this same response level, 51% reported they were more likely to utilize the Farms & Fields campus dining option knowing its connection to the VT Dining Garden. Relatively little importance of organic or local procurement versus nutritional value, portion size and variety of choice was indicated from the survey response. Student motivations for volunteering in the garden were tracked identifying opportunity to work outdoors, gain horticultural skills and participate in local food systems as highly rated factors. Qualitative data showed positive responses toward the community aspect of the project and perceptions of higher quality and healthier options available. Based on these results, continued outreach for student engagement in the project could focus on community and university partnership development at the VT Dining Garden.
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    The Nature of Us: A Curriculum that Draws Parallels Between Horticulture and Wellbeing
    Scott, Alyssa T. (Virginia Tech, 2020-09-23)
    As the global population increases and advances technologically, humans move away from rural living and towards urbanization, resulting in the decline in the amount of green space and connection to nature. American teenagers are faced with surmounting pressure to perform academically in an education system that focuses on a narrow selection of subjects at the expense of their physical, mental, and social health. A growing field of research explores the effects of nature-based interventions on these effects that are defined as Nature-Deficit Disorder. The purpose of the present curriculum is to create links between horticultural topics and biopsychosocial (BPS) concepts for 15-16-year old teens that are preparing to enter the workforce. A panel of four professionals evaluated the curriculum units using a 5-point Likert scale and open-ended questions to provide feedback for improving the lessons. Although the panel concurred that the abstract components relating to the BPS concepts were clear and tangible, the respondents felt that the methodologies and practicality of instruction and assessment required improvement. Despite a range of responses relating to the evaluation questions likely due, in part, to the varied professions and backgrounds of the panel members, feedback confirmed that The Nature of Us curriculum clearly connected the horticultural and BPS principles and could easily be integrated into existing programs.
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    Nutrition Support and Newborn Screening in the NICU Population: Is There a Link?
    Cochran, Brittany Paige (Virginia Tech, 2010-05-03)
    Background: Recent research is revealing the high rate of false-positive screening results for IEMs in the NICU population. No study published to date has specifically studied the possible relationship between nutrition and newborn screening in this population. Objective: It is suspected that NICU infants who receive PN are more likely to have abnormal newborn screening results than infants who receive EN. An understanding of the role of nutrition will assist in developing protocols for screening in the NICU and decrease false-positives. Design: Infants admitted to the NICU between January 1-June 30, 2009 were included in this retrospective chart review study (n=339). The type of nutrition and timing of its initiation was recorded and compared to newborn screening results to identify correlations with false-positives. Statistical analysis included means, percentages, Fisher's exact test, Chi-square test, and the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test. Results: Nutrition type was significantly associated with newborn screening (p<0.001); those who received parenteral nutrition were more likely to have a false-positive. For infants who also received PN, EN of breast milk exclusively increased risk of an abnormal screen more than formula exclusively or breast milk plus formula. The timing of parenteral nutrition had no effect on screening. Premature infants who received PN exclusively had a higher percentage of false-positives than those who received EN Conclusions: Although the hypothesis could not be statistically supported, PN appears to contribute to false-positive newborn screens. More research is needed to ascertain the role of EN and GA in newborn screening and to develop standardized protocols.
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    Participatory praxis for community food security education
    Niewolny, Kimberly L.; Schroeder-Moreno, Michelle S.; Mason, Garland; McWhirt, Amanda; Clark, Susan F. (2017)
    Community food security (CFS) has a robust history as a social movement addressing the politics and practice of food access and availability. While CFS advocacy and policy activity are closely connected to grassroots efforts, the academic community has supported CFS goals in a number of ways. CFS intersects with similar food movements, such as food sovereignty, emphasizing a social justice agenda for achieving democratic social change in the food system. In our paper, we illustrate the teaching of CFS in higher education at the graduate level where masters, professional, and doctoral students seek programmatic and community-based research experiences rooted in the goals of food justice, health equity, and ecological sustainability. Drawing upon a participatory education and critical pedagogy philosophy, we describe our approach and outcomes in developing a graduate course centered on CFS with two institutions and stakeholder participation in central Appalachia. An interdisciplinary approach was taken using a food justice lens, with special attention given to rurality, race, and class as issues informing CFS work in the region. We illustrate how course themes, assignments, and community engagement aims were collectively developed by students, faculty, and community practitioners through the Appalachian Foodshed Project, a regional CFS project. We focus our insights learned through several processes: developing and offering a pilot course in food systems; conducting focus groups with graduate students from two institutions; and collecting course evaluations from the final CFS course we developed. Our paper concludes with suggestions for utilizing a participatory approach-as praxis-to create new opportunities for students, faculty, and CFS practitioners to learn together for food systems change.
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    Perceived Outcomes of a Community-based Urban Agriculture and Nutrition Education Program: A Case Study of Common Good City Farm’s Green Tomorrows Program in Washington, D.C.
    Trutko, Alexander (Virginia Tech, 2014-07)
    Urban farm education programs can provide opportunities for community members to acquire skills and knowledge related to agriculture, food production, and nutrition. This project proposed a case study focusing on the Common Good City Farm’s Green Tomorrows program, an urban agriculture and nutrition education program for residents of Washington D.C., which aims to increase participant level of food security, ability to grow crops in urban locations, and knowledge of nutrition, food preparation, and food budgeting. The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of how effectively the Green Tomorrows program accomplished its intended program goals and outcomes. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with program staff and recent regular participants to: 1) identify similarities and differences between the staff and participant stated program goals; 2) determine key program impacts on participants; and 3) generate programmatic recommendations. The semi-structured interview guides included questions that revealed staff and program graduates perceptions concerning goals and outcomes of the program. Participants described how the program’s food distribution resulted in increased consumption of produce, which contributed to improved food security. They reported greater knowledge of agricultural methods and healthy eating, and the ability to prepare and shop for healthily food post-program completion. Overall, the Green Tomorrow’s program outcomes aligned with staff and participant expectations, and positively influenced participant’s food security, knowledge of nutrition, food preparation, and food budgeting skills through the community programming activities.
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    Program Effectiveness of Community Gardens in Nashville, Tennessee for Homeless and Low Income Populations
    Anetrella, Sarah (Virginia Tech, 2016-12)
    Community gardens can provide many benefits including increased produce consumption, improved mental health, and increased exercise. However, few studies have been done on how participation in community gardens can impact the homeless and low income populations. This study was done as a qualitative case study on the effectiveness of three community garden programs in Nashville, Tennessee: Poverty and the Arts, The Nashville Food Project, and Hands on Nashville. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine individuals to determine 1) if the anticipated benefits (e.g., increased produce consumption, improved mental health) were being experienced by the gardeners and 2) if any identified gaps in benefits could be addressed through programming recommendations. There was only a marginal improvement in amount of produce consumed by participants. While the participants made it clear that they were happy with the programs, they rarely experienced the potential social benefits normally associated with working in a community gardens. Minor additions to programming have potential to increase participant benefits and we recommend that gardens consider how this might be accomplished. Programming that enhances nutrition education and greater opportunities for food preparation could increase produce consumption and simultaneously advance social interaction among participants. We found that the relationship between homeless and low income populations and community gardens is complex and that more studies would help to improve community garden outreach to these groups.
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    SmartPlants and SmartFarms for Global Food, Feed, and Fiber Security
    Abaye, Azenegashe Ozzie; Balota, Maria; Bombarely Gomez, Aureliano; Clark, Susan F.; Evanylo, Gregory K.; Fox, Thomas R.; Grabau, Elizabeth; Haak, David C.; Holliday, Jason A.; Kroehler, Carolyn J.; Lowman, James Scott; McDowell, John M.; Raun, Patricia; Saghai-Maroof, Mohammad A.; Schmale, David G. III; Tholl, Dorothea; Thomason, Wade E.; Tokekar, Pratap; Veilleux, Richard E.; Vinatzer, Boris A.; Westwood, James; Wynne, Randolph H.; Zhao, Bingyu (Virginia Tech, 2017-05-15)
    Meeting the food, feed, and fiber needs of a growing world population represents one of the signature challenges of this century. The UN FAO estimates that food production alone must increase by 70 percent by 2050 to meet the needs of a projected nine billion people. Demand will also increase for livestock feed, biofuel feedstocks, fiber for paper products, and construction materials. Meeting these demands will require implementation of advanced technologies, sustainable management of natural resources, and coordination of political forces. We must think beyond the boundaries of traditional agriculture, to integrate breakthroughs in plant science, engineering, environmental sciences, and other disciplines...
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    Stakeholders' Views about the Benefits, Challenges, and Opportunities of Primary Schools to Implement Farm to School Programs for Children in Southwestern Virginia
    Obertello, Olivia Oriana (Virginia Tech, 2019-06-18)
    Research suggests school-based interventions and health education programs can increase children's fruit and vegetable exposure and consumption to improve their diet quality and reduce the risk of diet-related chronic diseases during adulthood. Nevertheless, children have limited availability and access to fruits and vegetables in school environments, which is a barrier to healthy eating. Farm to school (FTS) programs are one of many synergistic interventions to increase children's intake of locally and regionally produced fruits and vegetables at school. In 2015, the United States (U.S.) Department of Agriculture reported that 42% of U.S. school districts and 57% of Virginia schools participated in FTS programs. However, there is a lack of research on FTS programs in Montgomery County, Virginia. This MS thesis describes a mixed-methods, Q Methodology study to explore the views of diverse stakeholders (n=14) regarding the benefits, opportunities, and challenges to implement FTS programs for children, aged 5-11 years, in primary schools in Montgomery County, Virginia. Objective 1 was used to identify and mapped stakeholders invested in or affected by FTS programs in Virginia. Objective 2 used Q Methodology and factor analysis to identify the views of stakeholders regarding the benefits, opportunities, and challenges of FTS programs in Montgomery County. Results found two factors that summarized all 14 participants' viewpoints. Factor one (n=12), Appreciators of Child-Centered Benefits and factor 2 (n=2), Advocates for Legislative Change. Objective 3 described policies and future actions needed to institutionalize and sustain FTS programs in Montgomery County and southwestern Virginia.
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    Sustainable agriculture education and civic engagement: The significance of community-university partnerships in the new agricultural paradigm
    Niewolny, Kimberly L.; Grossman, Julie M.; Byker Shanks, Carmen; Helms, Jennifer L.; Clark, Susan F.; Cotton, Julie A.; Jacobsen, Krista L. (2012)
    Universities and colleges across the United States are making innovative strides in higher education programming to catalyze a more sustainable era of agriculture. This is clearly exemplified through the formation of community-university partnerships as critical illustrations of civic engagement (CE) for sustainable agriculture (SA) education. This paper explores the praxis of CE for SA education by focusing on the ways in which five land-grant universities (LGUs) with undergraduate programs in SA have developed and put into practice community-university partnerships. Drawing upon these programs and supportive literature, this article specifically attempts to describe the role and significance of CE for SA education, emerging community-university partnership models and their implications for prompting food and agriculture sustainability, and student learning and program assessment outcomes. We also reveal the many challenges and opportunities encountered by stakeholders involved in the creation and continuation of these programs and their subsequent coursework. Conclusions offer "real world" recommendations for other faculty, staff, student, and community stakeholders to implement and generate action-oriented scholarship for and with communities as a viable thread of SA education.