Roland Ebel
2020+
Assistant Research Professor, Montana State University
2019-2020
Research Associate, Montana State University
2018+
Adjunct Lecturer, University of Massachusetts Amherst
2015 - 2018
Professor, Autonomous University of the State of Mexico
2008 - 2014
Professor of Agroecology and Head of the Department for Sustainable Development, Intercultural Maya University of Quintana Roo, Mexico
2013
Coordinator of the 13th International Agroecology Course
2011 - 2012
Evaluator, FAO Mexico
2006
PhD (with distinction) in Organic Farming, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (thesis project in Spain)
2003
Master Degree in Horticulture, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (thesis project at Technical University Munich, Germany)
Assistant Research Professor, Montana State University
2019-2020
Research Associate, Montana State University
2018+
Adjunct Lecturer, University of Massachusetts Amherst
2015 - 2018
Professor, Autonomous University of the State of Mexico
2008 - 2014
Professor of Agroecology and Head of the Department for Sustainable Development, Intercultural Maya University of Quintana Roo, Mexico
2013
Coordinator of the 13th International Agroecology Course
2011 - 2012
Evaluator, FAO Mexico
2006
PhD (with distinction) in Organic Farming, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (thesis project in Spain)
2003
Master Degree in Horticulture, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (thesis project at Technical University Munich, Germany)
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Home / Archives / Vol. 18 No. 1 (2023): General Issue / Articles
The Importance of the Food System For Rural Vitality and Livelihoods In the US Northern Great Plains
Authors
Roland Ebel Montana State University
Alexandra Thornton
Abstract
The geopolitical U.S. Northern Great Plains encompass the state areas of Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. While other parts of the United States have seen considerable outmigration from rural areas, this region has widely maintained its rural population due to favorable employment, education, food security, and relatively low poverty levels. Currently, the expansion of large-scale agriculture, often poor food environments, and demographic trends, as well as external factors such as climate change, may affect population densities, livelihoods, and the vitality of the rural U.S. Northern Great Plains. We suggest a strong role of the food system in shaping these developments. For our study, we processed socio-economic and food-system-related data from demographic databases in descriptive statistics to explore the impact of the food system on demographic and socio-economic parameters. Specifically, we present data on how selected parameters of demography, employment, education, poverty, agriculture, food security, food accessibility, and health have changed during the past four decades in the U.S. Northern Great Plains, specifically its rural parts. We later discuss how these changes may contribute to future demographic and livelihood developments. We aim to offer our readers an understanding of the complex and interacting developments affecting rural residents of the U.S. Northern Great Plains and the important role the food system plays in the present and future of the region.
Skip to main navigation menu
Skip to site footer
Journal of Rural and Community Development
Current Archives Announcements About
Search
Register Login
Home / Archives / Vol. 18 No. 1 (2023): General Issue / Articles
The Importance of the Food System For Rural Vitality and Livelihoods In the US Northern Great Plains
Authors
Roland Ebel Montana State University
Alexandra Thornton
Abstract
The geopolitical U.S. Northern Great Plains encompass the state areas of Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. While other parts of the United States have seen considerable outmigration from rural areas, this region has widely maintained its rural population due to favorable employment, education, food security, and relatively low poverty levels. Currently, the expansion of large-scale agriculture, often poor food environments, and demographic trends, as well as external factors such as climate change, may affect population densities, livelihoods, and the vitality of the rural U.S. Northern Great Plains. We suggest a strong role of the food system in shaping these developments. For our study, we processed socio-economic and food-system-related data from demographic databases in descriptive statistics to explore the impact of the food system on demographic and socio-economic parameters. Specifically, we present data on how selected parameters of demography, employment, education, poverty, agriculture, food security, food accessibility, and health have changed during the past four decades in the U.S. Northern Great Plains, specifically its rural parts. We later discuss how these changes may contribute to future demographic and livelihood developments. We aim to offer our readers an understanding of the complex and interacting developments affecting rural residents of the U.S. Northern Great Plains and the important role the food system plays in the present and future of the region.
central region of the Yucatan Peninsula. In contrast to other
Mexican regions, farming in central Yucatan Peninsula still has
not completely converted to conventional production. Currently,
the Maya-speaking campesinos (small-scaled farmers in
subsistence production) of this region are being exposed to a
transformation process from traditional to conventional farming.
The consequence is migration and loss of knowledge. Production
in X-Pichil is characterized by traditional subsistence farming.
The aim of this investigation was to diagnose the state of farming,
discovering (1) the main crops and their production cycle and (2)
socio-economic aspects of agriculture with the aim of mapping
out opportunities for agroecology and farming in general. The
general objective of this study was to develop a reference and
point of contact for further research and rural development policy.
Between 2009 and 2011, a case study among all 129 public-landusing-
farmers (ejidatarios) of X-Pichil was done. The study
involved (1) a survey including demographical information, the
biography of the farmers and their families, information
concerning their fields (agrobiodiversity, farming cycle and crop
management), as well as data related to the commercialization of
their products; and (2) Tsikbal (dialogue among interlocutors)
with selected members of the community differing in terms of
gender, age and education. The most relevant data was related to
demographics. The survey showed a notable aging of the active
agricultural population in this community: 94 % of the ejidatarios
is older than 40 years. Only one of every 30 ejidatarios’ children
plants to continue working in the primary sector; consequently
64% of all fields are not being cropped. Interviews showed that
there are three main reasons for this tendency: (1) agriculture is
seen to be too labor-intense; (2) there is a lack of food security
and (3) agriculture suffers from a poor reputation within society.
Aunque el concepto del “desarrollo sostenible” ha sido estudiado y definido ampliamente y para diferentes entornos socioambientales, el significado de “desarrollo sostenible” para los deberes de docencia, investigación participativa y vinculación con la comunidad de una universidad intercultural todavía requiere especificación. Consecuentemente, la fundación del Cuerpo Académico de Desarrollo Sostenible de la Universidad Intercultural Maya de Quintana Roo requería de una precisión de este concepto para poder cumplir con sus funciones para la comunidad. Entendemos la sostenibilidad como una meta no alcanzable para la humanidad, mientras el desarrollo sostenible abarca los intentos específicos de alcanzar (y acercarse a) esta meta. Detectamos un nexo directo entre las necesidades humanas y el desarrollo sostenible. Por lo tanto, todos los intentos de objetivar este concepto, sugiriendo su validez universal, nos parecen ilusorios, específicamente considerando las necesidades particulares de las comunidades indígenas a las que se dirige un cuerpo académico de una universidad intercultural. En cambio, entendemos el desarrollo sostenible como algo subjetivo. Esta interpretación obliga a los investigadores de un cuerpo académico a definir precisamente a qué comunidad se dirigen. Estamos convencidos que entre más específica sea esta definición, más efectivo resultará el trabajo académico. En el caso de una universidad intercultural, este proceso requiere de un conocimiento profundo de las comunidades de su entorno basado en un ambiente de confianza. Opinamos que la única manera de cumplir con esta meta es la investigación participativa. El presente capítulo resume, en forma de ensayo, las discusiones de académicos interdisciplinarios, estudiantes y comunidad interesada que se llevaron a cabo entre 2010 y 2011 para desarrollar un fundamento conceptual para la creación del Cuerpo Académico de Desarrollo Sostenible de la Universidad Intercultural Maya de Quintana Roo.
ABSTRACT
The concept of “sustainable development” has been extensively studied and defined for different socio-environmental environments. However, the meaning of “sustainable development” for teaching, participatory research and community engagement for an intercultural university requires specification. Therefore, the foundation of the Academic Group of Sustainable Development of the Intercultural Maya University of Quintana Roo required a precision of this concept for us to be able to serve the local community.
In our understanding, sustainability is a goal, while sustainable development encompasses specific attempts to achieve (or at least approach) such a goal. We assert a direct link between human needs and sustainable development. Therefore, we reject all attempts to objectify the concept of sustainable development, suggesting its universal validity, specifically considering the needs of the indigenous communities our academic group collaborates with. Instead, we understand sustainable development as a subjective process. This interpretation forces our researchers to precisely define the communities they are targeting. We are convinced that the more specific this definition is, the more effective our academic work is. In the case of an intercultural university, such an approach requires a thorough knowledge of the surrounding communities based on a relationship of trust, which we believe can only be achieved through participatory research. This chapter summarizes, in essay form, the discussions of interdisciplinary academics, students, and interested community, that occurred between 2010 and 2011 in order to develop a conceptual basis for the creation of the Academic Group of Sustainable Development of the Intercultural Maya University of Quintana Roo.
Therefore, it is no wonder that (in Mexico as well as in other countries) the area cropped with dragonfruit has increased continuously in the past 20 years. The growing interest in Hylocereus spp. is also documented in a rising number of publications dedicated to this crop, focusing on management (Castillo et al., 1996; Infante, 1990; OIRSA, 2000; Reyes, 1995; Rodríguez et al., 1993), phenology (Castillo and Ortiz, 1994), pollination (Weiss, 1994), harmful diseases (Masanto et al., 2009; Valencia-Bot et al., 2003; 2013), pest management (Barrera, 2003), nutrient composition (Castillo and Calix, 1996), physiology (Khaimov and Mizrahi, 2006; Raveh, 1998; Weiss et al.,. 2010), fruit quality and genetics (Garcia et al. , 2013).
In the Mexican State of Quintana Roo (central Yucatan Peninsula), cropping of pitahaya at commercial scale began in 1996; yet, the boom initiated with the beginning of the 21st century when it converted in the most relevant not-traditional fruit of the state. Its resistance to drought and its adaptation to the predominant calcareous and stony soils that characterize the central part of this state have facilitated the distribution of the crop in numerous communities. Currently, more than 50% of the production of pitahaya of Quintana Roo is obtained in the so called "Chunes" region (involving the communities of Chun-Yah, Chun-Pon, and Chun-On), belonging to the Municipality of Felipe Carrillo Puerto. In 2011, dragonfruit in the "Chunes" was cropped at an area of 498 ha. However, only 161 ha showed commercial and professional production, providing yearly 483 t of fruit, which are harvested in the months of June to October. Although exact data is not available, local producer organizations estimate an output of 6 t/ha.
Despite the usual extensive management of the dragonfruit in this region (few synthetic inputs, commonly incorporation in local ecosystems, low planting density, and scarce crop management), this relatively low performance of pitahaya in the "Chunes" represents only 50% of the yield potential in similar climatic and edaphic conditions.
Since this low yield is related to a lack of information related to crop management, a manual for managing the pitahaya was developed in a participative project involving local universities, governmental agencies and farmer representatives. Due to the low nutrient demand of the crop, its generally easy management, scarce economic resources of farmers in the “Chunes” region and the uncomplicated integration of pitahaya to the local environment, the present manual has a focus on sustainable cropping of the dragonfruit, principally following the procedures of organic farming. This emphasis is also considering the growing demand for organically produced pitahaya. The presents manual involves results obtained of trails implemented 2010 to 2014 in the “Chunes” region, as well as experience shared by local dragonfruit-producers.