Scientific poster example

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Organizing for Food Justice in Burlington, North
Carolina Lauren Clapp Elon University Elon,
North Carolina
Timeline
Project Background
A rights based approach to food, also known as
food justice, contends that communities have the
basic right not only to sufficient food, but also
to food that is nutritional, culturally
appropriate and accessible in a sustainable
manner. Traditional discourses about hunger and
poverty often ignore the institutionalized denial
of access to fresh, healthy food in the United
States. This project investigates the attitudes
and perceptions held by residents of Burlington,
North Carolina (a community that has recently
emerged as a food desert) about food, the role
food plays in their lives and about their
willingness to organize to promote food justice
in their community. This project seeks to better
understand the multiplicity of barriers to health
and nutrition facing the community, encourage and
support the creation of a community garden, and
build community through food.
Spring 2012 Began discussions about the creation
of a garden met with community center director
for feedback created garden budget became
acquainted with members of North Park in Motion
at weekly farm stand. June 2012 Had
conversations about the garden with various
county residents while surveying at
local farmers markets, Met with the Director of
Burlington Parks and Recreation, settled on a
location within the park for the garden. July
2012 Budget request was approved, worked
with city employees to purchase supplies for the
construction of 5 beds, which were finished by
the end of the month invitations were sent to
those who are local and interested in the
garden a fall planting event was held with our
gardeners. The beds were painted by children
attending the summer camp held at the
park. August 2012 Focused on continuation and
upkeep of garden plots, investigate possible
donors for a fence. Fall 2012 Secure financial
or material donations to protect the garden with
a fence focus on upkeep of garden plots
advertise in order to have more participants in
the spring install fence. Spring 2013 Construct
5 more beds plant summer vegetables.
Action Research
Action research generates knowledge claims for
the express purpose of taking action to promote
social change and social analysis. (Greenwood,
and Levin, 1998 4). It is not a precise method,
but rather a framework that produces new
knowledge that directly and actively contributes
to the processes of democratic social change and
the simultaneous creation of valid social
knowledge (ibid 3). It is a form of research
that creates knowledge for the express purpose
of taking action to promote social change (ibid
4).
Major Barriers
City bureaucratic practices Lack of
funding Vandalism
Lessons Learned
The importance and value of local, non-academic
knowledge. Patience. The importance and
relevance of building community through food and
gardening, as assessed by the interest and
enthusiasm about food justice by many in the
community.
References Available Upon Request