Progress 09/01/05 to 09/30/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: This project had four objectives: 1) documenting Wisconsin's rare local foods; 2) studying the social networks which form around and give meaning to these foods, from farm to kitchen; 3) contributing to our theoretical understanding of localism in food and how rare local food can retain opportunities for small and medium scale actors in the agrofood system; and 4) extending its findings to individuals and groups interested in enhancing the viability of rare local foods and their social and market networks. PARTICIPANTS: Michael M. Bell, Professor of Community and Environmental Sociology; PI Ozlem Altiok, Graduate Student Research Assistant; Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Program on Agricultural Technology Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences beyond academic audiences include farmers, retailers, and consumers interested in rare, local foods through presentations in both state-level and national media and through outreach publications. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
With regard to change in knowledge, this project has documented the social networks surrounding raw milk in Wisconsin, and has documented the social construction of trust and risk in it. We developed the conceptual tools of the 'ghosts of taste' and the 'food face.' With regard to change in action, the project gained considerable media time at the state and national levels, including an hour-long National Public Radio show. Two outreach publications remain in preparation, and will be completed after the end of the project period.
Publications
- Stiles, Kaelyn, Michael M. Bell, and Ozlem Altiok. 2011. (Under positive revise and resubmit; acceptance expected shortly.) "The Ghosts of Taste: Food and the Cultural Politics of Authenticity. Agriculture and Human Values."
- Bell, Michael M. 2008. "Shifting Agrifood Systems: A Comment." Geojournal 73(1):83-85.
- Bell, Michael M. 2007. 'The Two-ness of Rural Life and the Ends of Rural Scholarship." Journal of Rural Studies. 23 (4): 402-415.
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Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: This project has four objectives: 1) documenting Wisconsin's rare local foods; 2) studying the social networks which form around and give meaning to these foods, from farm to kitchen; 3) contributing to our theoretical understanding of localism in food and how rare local food can retain opportunities for small and medium scale actors in the agrofood system; and 4) extending its findings to individuals and groups interested in enhancing the viability of rare local foods and their social and market networks. At this point, we have moved beyond objectives 1 and 2 of the project. We have three papers in preparation with regard to objective 3. With regard to objective 4, we have been extending the work through our involvement in the 'Good to Grow' project, a regional consortium working to enhance local foods in Wisconsin. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
With regard to change in knowledge, this project has documented the social networks surrounding raw milk in Wisconsin, and has documented the social construction of trust and risk in it. We developed as well the conceptual tools of the 'ghosts of taste' and the 'food face.' With regard to change in action, the project is bringing these findings to a major regional effort to rebuild a regional food economy in Wisconsin, the 'Good to Grow' project. This regional food economy project should, if successful, promote a major change in conditions for rare, local foods in Wisconsin.
Publications
- Bell, Michael M. 2008. Shifting Agrifood Systems: A Comment. Geojournal 73(1):83-85.
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Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: This project has four objectives: 1) documenting Wisconsin's rare local foods; 2) studying the social networks which form around and give meaning to these foods, from farm to kitchen; 3) contributing to our theoretical understanding of localism in food and how rare local food can retain opportunities for small and medium scale actors in the agrofood system; and 4) extending its findings to individuals and groups interested in enhancing the viability of rare local foods and their social and market networks. With regard to objective 1, we developed a framework for assessing what counts as rare, local foods. With regard to objective 2, we completed a case study of raw milk in Wisconsin, documenting its social networks and meanings, through ethnographic analysis. On objective 3, we submitted a paper developing the notion of the 'ghosts of taste' and its relationship to food globalism and food localism, and drafted a second paper that develops the concept of a 'food face' that
helps conceptualize the mobilities of food through localities. With regard to objective 4, we drafted an outreach publication describing the raw milk research and the PI was interviewed live for an hour on an NPR station concerning the research
PARTICIPANTS: Participants include 4 within our department and we are starting a collaboration with the department Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems (CIAS). We also collaborate with a statewide regional food initiative, the "Good to Grow" project, which includes 6 or so entities, including Michael Fields, CIAS, DATCP, Vanderwals.
TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audiences are farmers, eaters, retailers, and processors interested in promoting local food systems.
Impacts
With regard to change in knowledge, this project has documented the social networks surrounding raw milk in Wisconsin, and has documented the social construction of trust and risk in it. We developed as well the conceptual tools of the 'ghosts of taste' and the 'food face.' With regard to change in action, the project is bringing these findings to a major regional effort to rebuild a regional food economy in Wisconsin. This regional food economy project should, if successful, promote a major change in conditions for rare, local foods in Wisconsin.
Publications
- Stiles, Kaelyn; Ozlem Altiok; and Michael M. Bell. 2008. 'The Ghosts of Taste: Food and the Poitics of Authenticity.' Under review at Sociologia Ruralis.
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
This project has four objectives: 1) it will document Wisconsin's rare local foods; 2) it will study the social networks which form around and give meaning to these foods, from farm to kitchen; 3) it will contribute to our theoretical understanding of localism in food and how rare local food can retain opportunities for small and medium scale actors in the agrofood system; and 4) it will extend its findings to individuals and groups interested in enhancing the viability of rare local foods and their social and market networks. Significant progress has been made on objectives 1 to 3. With regard to objective 1, we are developing a framework for assessing what counts as rare, local foods. With regard to objective 2, we are well along on a case study of raw milk in Wisconsin, documenting its social networks and meanings, through ethnographic analysis. On objective 3, we have written a paper developing the notion of the 'ghosts of taste' and its relationship to food
globalism and food localism, and are writing a second paper that develops the concept of a 'food face' that helps conceptualize the mobilities of food through localities.
Impacts
By providing information relevant to market opportunities in agrofood systems, this project contributes directly to the Hatch Act's concern for 'the establishment and maintenance of a permanent and effective agricultural industry of the United States.' The project also connects to several of the CSREES goals. A focus on the strengths of the local is a potentially effective way to build 'an agricultural production system that is highly competitive in the global economy.' By building capacities for fresh and varied food, the project promotes 'a healthy, well-nourished population.' As well, by identifying network potential for new market opportunities for small and medium-sized actors in the agrofood system, and by exploring the role of food in the sense of place, the project will help enhance 'economic opportunity and quality of life' for Wisconsin residents. The project also fits with several of the identified areas of research need for Wisconsin. It will help with the
'identification of socioeconomic forces that shape the viability' of Wisconsin's agriculture through tracing the network potentials of rare local food. It represents research into the 'dietary choices, lifestyle and community decisions' of Wisconsin's residents through its documentation of rare local foods. And it is as well a contribution to 'sustainable agricultural and forestry production and processing systems' through its focus on the enhancement of rare local foods and their potential for conserving energy, biodiversity, and social diversity.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
This project has four objectives: 1) it will document Wisconsin's rare local foods; 2) it will study the social networks which form around and give meaning to these foods, from farm to kitchen; 3) it will contribute to our theoretical understanding of localism in food and how rare local food can retain opportunities for small and medium scale actors in the agrofood system; and 4) it will extend its findings to individuals and groups interested in enhancing the viability of rare local foods and their social and market networks. Although the project is only a few months old, significant progress has been on objectives 2 and 3. With regard to objective 2, we have begun a case study of raw milk in Wisconsin, documenting its social networks and meanings, through ethnographic analysis. On objective 3, we have submitted abstracts to two professional meetings and are currently drafting the accompanying papers.
Impacts
By providing information relevant to market opportunities in agrofood systems, this project contributes directly to the Hatch Act's concern for 'the establishment and maintenance of a permanent and effective agricultural industry of the United States.' The project also connects to several of the CSREES goals. A focus on the strengths of the local is a potentially effective way to build 'an agricultural production system that is highly competitive in the global economy.' By building capacities for fresh and varied food, the project promotes 'a healthy, well-nourished population.' As well, by identifying network potential for new market opportunities for small and medium-sized actors in the agrofood system, and by exploring the role of food in the sense of place, the project will help enhance 'economic opportunity and quality of life' for Wisconsin residents. The project also fits with several of the identified areas of research need for Wisconsin. It will help with the
'identification of socioeconomic forces that shape the viability' of Wisconsin's agriculture through tracing the network potentials of rare local food. It represents research into the 'dietary choices, lifestyle and community decisions' of Wisconsin's residents through its documentation of rare local foods. And it is as well a contribution to 'sustainable agricultural and forestry production and processing systems' through its focus on the enhancement of rare local foods and their potential for conserving energy, biodiversity, and social diversity.
Publications
- Bell, Michael M., Ozlem Altiok, and Kaelyn Stiles. 2006. The Soul of Food: A Theory of Taste and Place. Paper to be presented at the annual meeting of the Association of American Geographers, Chicago, IL.
- Bell, Michael M. and Ozlem Altiok. 2006. Of Commodities and Communities: Four American Faces of Food. Paper to be presented at the annual meeting of the Rural Sociological Society, Lousiville, Kentucky.
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