Rural Sociology

Internship Opportunity | Food Sovereignty & Solidarity Payment Are you passionate about creating fairer food systems and supporting local farmers? Do you believe everyone should have access to organic, local food regardless of income? Stichting Boerengroep and AgroEcology Works are offering an exciting internship focused on advancing food sovereignty and solidarity payment initiatives in Gelderland province. Key Goals: >> Improve access to CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) memberships for people with low incomes. >> Strengthen the movement for solidarity payment and raise awareness. >> Support local CSA farmers by improving income and membership opportunities. What you’ll do: >> Research and connect municipalities in Gelderland with local CSA programs. >> Explore funding opportunities for CSA memberships for low-income groups. >> Collaborate with CSA farmers, members, and municipalities to build connections and drive change. Other possibilities: >> Organize farm excursions highlighting solidarity payment. >> Assist Boerengroep with ongoing projects. >> Get hands-on experience by working on a farm 1–2 days a week. What we’re looking for: >> Passion for social justice and food sovereignty. >> Strong communication skills to collaborate with diverse stakeholders. >> Dutch language skills are a plus, but we’re open to discussing options if you don’t speak Dutch. 📅 Deadline to apply: December 30th 🗓️ Internship start date: February 1st (flexible) Interested? Send your CV and motivation letter to st.boerengroep@wur.nl. More info https://lnkd.in/e6yHVvFq

Internship Opportunity | Social Justice in the Agroecological Movement Are you passionate about agroecology, inclusivity, and social justice? Do you dream of a fair and caring food system that supports everyone, including marginalized and structurally disadvantaged communities? Stichting Boerengroep and the Mycelia of Hope Project are looking for an intern to work on the intersection of agroecology and social justice. This is your chance to make a tangible impact on inclusivity within the agroecological movement by building bridges between farmers, activists, and allies. Key focus areas: >> Develop solutions to connect migrants with farmers fairly and inclusively. >> Research inclusivity within the Dutch agroecological movement. >> Organize workshops or skill-sharing sessions on accessibility and social justice. What they’re looking for: >> Passion for sustainable agriculture and social justice. >> Strong organizational and communication skills. >> Ability to work collaboratively and independently. 📅 Deadline to apply: December 30th 🗓️ Internship start date: February 1st (flexible) If this resonates with you, send your CV and motivation letter to st.boerengroep@wur.nl. More info: https://lnkd.in/eg9Yt8hZ

"Regeneratie zorgt voor herstel" - Dr. ir. Dirk Roep over de toekomst van ons voedselsysteem. Dirk Roep groeide op te midden van de uitdagingen van een veranderende landbouw. Vanuit zijn achtergrond als ruraal socioloog werkte hij decennialang aan duurzame landbouwinitiatieven. Van streekeigen productie tot regeneratieve landbouw: Dirk laat zien dat een andere weg mogelijk is. Waarom is regeneratie essentieel? Volgens Dirk is de huidige manier van voedselproductie onhoudbaar. De focus op lage kosten leidt tot uitputting van ecosystemen en sociale ongelijkheid. Regeneratieve landbouw biedt een oplossing door natuurlijke processen te herstellen en complexiteit terug te brengen. 💡 Kansen in de voedseltransitie Er ontstaan steeds meer initiatieven die laten zien dat het anders kan. Denk ook aan kleinschalige tuinderijen die leveren aan leden, zoals Herenboeren, Land van Ons en Lenteland. Dirk gelooft dat consumenten hierin een sleutelrol spelen: “Ga bij jezelf na wat de impact is van je (voedsel) aankopen, en maak daarin wellicht stap voor stap andere keuzes.” 🎥 Inspiratie uit The Pickers De documentaire The Pickers maakte diepe indruk op Dirk. “Het laat aan de hand van een aantal plukkers van fruit en olijven zien hoe het nu heersende voedselsysteem werkt ten koste gaat van de plukkers die rechteloos verblijven aan de zelfkant van onze maatschappij.” Meer weten over Dirk Roep en zijn visie? Lees het volledige verhaal op onze website (https://lnkd.in/d7FTt9qc). 📅 Kom op 17 december naar de FoodFloor in Ede Bekijk de documentaire The Pickers en praat mee over de toekomst van ons voedsel. Meld je aan via info@eetbaarede.nl en lees het hele programma hier https://lnkd.in/dg9_Cwt6.

WASS Graduate Course | The rural everyday of geopolitics , 13-16 January, 2025. There's still time to register for this inspiring course - don't miss out! Register here: https://lnkd.in/eQbKaRt9 We have entered a new era in the geopolitics of agriculture and rural livelihoods. The decline of the United States’ power, the rise of China, and an assertive stance of Russia, have resulted in a multipolar global order. In this course, we will interrogate the ways in which geopolitical rivalries manifest themselves and are responded to, in rural areas around the world. Farm fields, as well as pastures and forests, have always been political domains, and the range of actors affecting rural livelihoods has become more diverse and complex in recent decades. It is imperative to weave geopolitics more strongly into analyses of trajectories of social, agrarian, and environmental change. Using various analytical lenses, and drawing on a rich variety of scholarly and non-academic works, this workshop will explore the rural everyday of geopolitical rivalries. We will depart from the macro-level to the micro-level and back again, to examine whether, how and to what extent transformations in rural livelihood portfolios and land use practices have reflected geopolitical rivalries in recent decades, for instance in terms of the influx and use of technology, crop and seed varieties; changes in production relations; and, farms’ integration into markets. Examining these dynamics, we will discuss a series of questions, including: to what extent are rural actors’ decisions and practices influenced by “grand politics”? Do geopolitics bear more heavily on rural livelihoods in one locality than in another, and if so, why? How or where does intersectionality come into play? How and to what extent have people resisted or reworked external interventions or influences, and, in aiming to understand responses: does it matter who is intervening? These questions will contribute to a better understanding of the extent to which geopolitics is embedded in rural social and agrarian change, and with what result. The course engages the dialectic of structure and agency and addresses the importance of multi-scalar and comparative research approaches. We will attend not only to the ways in which rural communities have experienced geopolitics, but also to examine how they have responded to changes instigated by macro-level dynamics. Course coordination & lecturing by Irna Hofman. Photo: Irna Hofman, Tajikistan 2020. Irna Hofman, Joost Jongerden 🟥, WASS WUR https://lnkd.in/eFX_Dubh

News item | Advanced Metropolitan Solutions: Cultivating the Future of Urban Gardening What can a city’s gardens tell us about its people? Our colleague, Antonia Weiss, is shedding light on a novel approach to urban gardening through her research on the Wereldgroentetuinen (World Vegetable Gardens) in Amsterdam’s Nieuw-West neighborhood. This project taps into the gardening expertise and culinary heritage of immigrants, offering an inspiring model for inclusive and sustainable urban food systems. Here’s what makes it remarkable: >> 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀: A disused commercial greenhouse has become an oasis of diverse crops—sopropo, okra, tajerblad, peppers, melons, and more—thanks to the hands-on knowledge of residents whose food cultures span the globe. >> 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: By honoring the agricultural traditions of immigrant communities, the project connects the past and future, highlighting how these skills can redefine urban food landscapes. >> 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆: Beyond the harvest, these gardens are places of connection, where residents share stories, tips, and seeds of cultural exchange. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀: In the global push for sustainable urban food systems, cultural diversity is often overlooked. As Antonia’s work reveals, cities like Amsterdam hold a wealth of food knowledge rooted in migration histories. Recognizing and mobilizing this heritage is essential to building resilient, inclusive, and innovative foodscapes. 𝗔 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: To policymakers and urban planners—let’s embrace the culinary heritage and creativity of immigrant communities as key drivers of the food transition. Together, we can grow a future where cities thrive on the diversity of their people. 📚 Read more about this groundbreaking research, supported by the AMS Institute, Wageningen University & Research, and Cascoland, and see how it’s cultivating a greener, more inclusive Amsterdam. https://lnkd.in/ebrqyShp Wageningen Social Sciences

Celebrating Excellence in Education | We are proud to announce that the course 𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱: 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲, 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘀, coordinated by our colleague Mark Vicol, has been nominated for this year’s Excellent Education Prizes (EEP). This course stands out for its ability to provide students with a broad and scientific understanding of the growing importance of food products with an indication of origin within the globalising agro-food system. Through Mark’s engaging teaching methods, students gain valuable insights into the complex connections between food, culture, and the global market. The EEP jury, comprising four teachers and four students from Environmental Sciences, Technology and Nutrition, Social Sciences, and Life Sciences, will deliberate and announce the winners in the coming week. 📅 Mark your calendars! The awards will be presented on Teachers Day, Tuesday, 10 December, at 16:00 in Orion. During this ceremony, we will also cheer on our colleague Jessica Duncan 🟥, who is nominated for the prestigious Teacher of the Year Award! We are incredibly proud of Mark and Jessica for their dedication to education and for inspiring the next generation. Join us in wishing them both the best of luck! #EducationExcellence #Teamwork #CelebratingOurColleagues

Reminder | Share your feedback by December 5th! In the realm of food-sharing activities, active participation from citizens, policymakers, and organizations is crucial for creating resilient, sustainable food systems. The Citizen Engagement Library is here to help - but it needs your insights to grow! >> 𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗢𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗻 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆 Help improve the Library by sharing your thoughts on its format and content. Your feedback will make it more accessible and valuable for all. 👉 Take the Survey: https://lnkd.in/eW4Y5btz Deadline: December 5th Questions? Contact Ana-Maria at ana-maria.gatejel@wur.nl. 💻 Explore the Library here: https://lnkd.in/ewzhrdbg Let’s make this resource a hub for driving meaningful change in food systems globally! #CitizenEngagement #FoodSystems #CommunityBuilding #Sustainability #FoodSharing #ParticipatoryApproaches #CULTIVATE #CivicEngagement #GlobalCollaboration Ana-Maria Gătejel, Jessica Duncan 🟥

Thank you, AMS Institute and Rural Sociology for supporting this project and my research on gardening knowledge amongst residents of Amsterdam Nieuw-West. And thank you Laxmi Adrianna Haigh for highlighting this ongoing work!

Bezoek Ministerie | Samenwerken aan een verantwoorde voedseltransitie Onlangs mochten we het Ministerie van Landbouw, Visserij, Voedselzekerheid en Natuur verwelkomen. Een waardevol bezoek waarin we elkaar beter leerden kennen en zochten naar gemeenschappelijke gronden om elkaar te versterken. Tijdens een inspirerend gesprek deelden we wat ons drijft in het werken aan een maatschappelijk verantwoorde transitie. Het is essentieel om elkaar te vinden op gedeelde waarden en zo een vruchtbare voedingsbodem voor samenwerking te creëren. Samen kunnen we stappen zetten richting een duurzame en inclusieve toekomst. #RuralProofing #JustFoodTransition #Samenwerking

CULTIVATE Research | Citizen Engagement Library In the world of food-sharing activities, we know that fostering greater participation from citizens, policymakers, and organizations is key to building more resilient, sustainable food systems. From participatory budgeting and citizen assemblies to mobile kitchens and European-wide campaigns, there are endless ways to engage communities in shaping food systems and driving meaningful change. But here's the challenge: reliable, detailed information about these engagement mechanisms is often hard to find. That's where YOU come in! The CULTIVATE team is working to improve and expand the 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗻 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆, and they need your help to make it even more valuable for everyone. There are two ways you can contribute: 1️⃣ 𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗢𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗻 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆 They’ve created a survey to introduce you to the Library and gather your feedback on its current format and content. Your input will directly help them improve the Library and make it as useful and accessible as possible! 👉 Take the Survey: https://lnkd.in/eW4Y5btz 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲: 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟱𝘁𝗵 If you have any questions about the survey or the Library, reach out to Ana-Maria at ana-maria.gatejel@wur.nl. 2️⃣ 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 & 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀 Do you know of a tool or game that could enhance the Library? After completing the survey, you can: • Add an entry directly in the app using the “Add Tool” or “Add Game” feature, or • Email the description and link at ana-maria.gatejel@wur.nl. 💻 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: https://lnkd.in/ewzhrdbg Together, we can create a comprehensive resource that empowers communities and drives collaboration in food-sharing initiatives worldwide. Thank you for being part of this exciting journey! #CitizenEngagement #FoodSystems #CommunityBuilding #Sustainability #FoodSharing #ParticipatoryApproaches #CULTIVATE #CivicEngagement #GlobalCollaboration Ana-Maria Gătejel, Jessica Duncan 🟥, Oona Morrow