The course will examine the history of women’s involvement in agriculture from interdisciplinary lenses, including social sciences, women’s studies and agricultural sciences.
Agriculture and Gender and Women’s Studies come together in the fall for a unique course on the role women have played in farming, agriculture, food production and food resiliency throughout human history. The new course at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo will examine this history and current global scope of women’s involvement from interdisciplinary lenses, including social sciences, women’s studies and agricultural sciences.
In both rural and urban settings, strategies for developing strong and resilient food systems at multiple scales will be explored from backyard subsistence gardens to “women feeding cities.” The recent rise in women farmers has prompted the formation of many new associations (e.g., Pennsylvania Women’s Agricultural Network), Facebook groups (e.g., Women Who Farm), and theoretical frameworks (e.g., FAST – feminist agrifood systems theory). Other key topics include creating gender sensitive outreach in agricultural development and extension services and women’s roles in food production movements from urban farming to community supported agriculture.
The class will review the recent survey done on Hawai‘i women farmers by the O‘ahu Resource Conservation and Development Council and discuss enlightening new books such as Soil Sisters: A Toolkit for Women Farmers and Farmer Jane, Women Changing the Way We Eat.
The course will be taught by Brooke Hansen.