Progress 12/01/06 to 08/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The primary goal of this National Needs Fellow (NNF) project was to train five emerging scholars, in an interdisciplinary way, at the nexus of agriculture, food systems and food access, and the environment. The project, entitled Linking Agriculture Food and Environment: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Graduate Education, was initiated in 2007, and has met this goal in full. Two scholars matriculated in the Agriculture, Food and Environment program at Tufts University in 2007, and three additional scholars matriculated in the same program in 2008. All five students received interdisciplinary academic training in a classroom setting, and also undertook an internship (minimum of 320 hours) and a directed study. Additional activities undertaken by this group of scholars includes: an assessment of the nature of U.S. government interactions with the food system; quantifying the impact of grain subsidies on the livestock production system in the U.S.; and assisting in the development of legislation on food safety modernization. All five scholars have since graduated, including two who completed dual degrees (M.S. in Nutrition and Masters in Public Health (MPH)). Their current employment includes: USDA-Food and Nutrition Service, Massachusetts General Hospital, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, FarmAid, and QED LLC. PARTICIPANTS: Five students pursuing a Masters of Science (MS) degree in Nutrition at Tufts University received a stipend to support their pursuit of this degree. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Each of these students participated in core courses in nutrition, statistics and analysis, agricultural science and policy, environmental policy, and public policy development. The nutrition science and policy core coursework provides students with an understanding of basic and applied nutrition in its broadest sense, including factors affecting food production, supply, and consumption. Each of our required courses have specific learning objectives. For example, all AFE students are required to take Agricultural Science and Policy for a full year. The course objective is to understand the scientific underpinnings of policy issues related to soil, water, nutrient flows, genetic resources, pest management, livestock systems, energy, climate change, and food systems. They must apply this understanding to the analysis of current controversies and debates regarding these issues. In addition, each developed a specialization comprised of three to five individual courses that were thematically linked, and directly related to the core foci of the academic program at Tufts. Each was also required to complete an internship of at least 320 hours. Internship experiences were at diverse organizations, including: Organic Valley (LaForge WI); two different organizations in Beijing, China Roots and Shoots, a program of Jane Goodall Institute, and Green Ground EcoTech Center; Institute of Agriculture and Trade Policy (Minneapolis MN); Wholesome Wave Foundation (Bridgeport CT); and the National Coalition for Sustainable Agriculture (Washington DC).
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 12/01/07 to 11/30/08
Outputs
To date our progress has been consistent with our proposal. Two Fellows who matriculated in 2007 (Alicia Harvie and Sabrina Wu) continued to progress through the Agriculture Food and Environment (AFE) program. In addition, three Fellows matriculated in September 2008: Julie MacCartee, Maggie Gosselin, and Angel Park. PRODUCTS: Both of the continuing Fellows took courses in Agricultural Science and Policy, Statistics and Determinants of U.S. Food Policy. Additional courses for Harvie included Economics of Food Policy Analysis, Environmental Law, and Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, while Wu took classes in Epidemiology and Nutrition in the Life Cycle. Both also secured and completed internships of approximately 300 hours during Summer 2008, with Harvie working with Organic Valley (LaForge WI) and Wu working with two different organizations in Beijing, China: Roots and Shoots, a program of Jane Goodall Institute, and Green Ground Eco-Tech Center. In Fall 2008, as required by the AFE program, both initiated directed studies. Harvie collaborated with faculty at the Global Development and Environment Institute at Tufts, examining the impact of feed subsidies on economic performance in the swine industry. Wu began a study on land rights and reforms in China. The three incoming Fellows took the core courses for M.S. students in AFE: Fundamentals of Public Policy, U.S. Agriculture, and Nutrition (three courses), and Statistics. Angel Park, who is pursuing a dual degree in AFE and Public Health, also took a course in Epidemiology. OUTCOMES: The Fellows in their second year developed specializations (three courses each), initiated directed studies, and completed their internships. The first year Fellows developed knowledge base in the core curricula of the AFE program, and initiated the process to secure internships for Summer 2009. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: No dissemination activities to report during this period, as all Fellows are matriculated. FUTURE INITIATIVES: Alicia Harvie and Sabrina Wu expect to graduate in May 2009.
Impacts
Five outstanding students are able to pursue their Masters degree because of the financial assistance of USDA. In turn, the USDA money allowed the Friedman School to allocate limited resources among a smaller group of students, thereby strengthening financial aid all round.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 12/01/06 to 11/30/07
Outputs
To date our progress has been consistent with our proposal. In Dec 2006 and Jan 2007 we widely distributed information about the availability of the USDA Sustainable Sciences Fellowships. This outreach included a targeted mailing to the 840 members of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. Two Fellows were appointed in April 2007 to matriculate in September 2007. Fellows Alicia Harvie and Sabrina Wu have completed their first semester of the Masters training with great success.
PRODUCTS: Both Fellows participated in a series of interventions concerned with garden-based learning at the elementary school level. This provided them knowledge of the curriculum, teaching experience, and an opportunity to formulate hypotheses as to the value of such interventions for teaching science and increasing students' consumption of vegetables.
OUTCOMES: Both Fellows took fundamental courses in nutrition science, US agriculture, statistics and public policy. They are now ready to take on in-depth work in their second semester. Both Fellows are completing the process of updating their resumes and are in the process of securing a summer internship placement, as required by our school.
DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: The Jesse Smith Noyes Foundation has partnered with the AFE Program to continue outreach activities to find qualified students from underrepresented populations to apply to the Fellows Program. Additionally, information about the Fellowships is currently being distributed to Tribal Community Colleges in the hopes that faculty there will know potential applicants from Native American populations.
FUTURE INITIATIVES: Both Fellows will be expected to complete an internship over the summer and in their second year, Fellows will be expected to undertake a directed study leading to publication.
Impacts
Two young women are able to pursue their Masters degree because of the financial assistance of USDA. In turn, the USDA money allowed the Friedman School to allocate limited resources among a smaller group of students, thereby strengthening financial aid all round.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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