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2012 Spring | Agriculture and Food Systems, Arts & Humanities, Education & Outreach

Building Communities of Local Food

Student(s):

Maya Gordon

Program or Department(s):

  • Program on the Environment
  • University of Washington

Site supervisor(s):

Susan Thistle

Partner(s):

  • San Juan Island Agricultural Guild

Faculty advisor(s):

Eli Wheat, Program on the Environment, University of Washington

During my project, I worked closely with farmers in a local agricultural community organization on San Juan Island in Washington State. I attended their farmers’ market, community agricultural events, and other food events. I was interested in understanding the purpose of a farmers’ market according to the farmers who participate and learning the biggest obstacles they faced in establishing a market. My in-depth interviews with farmers and other community members gave me important insight into the long road to building a small-town food community with a permanent marketplace.