Project Clearinghouse

Central Coast Farmers Sequester Carbon

Sustainability Problem and Proposed Solution: 

In agricultural settings, soil carbon sequestration is both a method of reducing levels of atmospheric greenhouse gases and a critical opportunity to enhance soil fertility. Despite widespread interest in sustainable soil management practices, many low-income farmers of color lack the resources required for implementation of these practices. This project uses social science research methods to identify barriers to implementation and address these barriers through educational programming.

Jump to: Contact | Project Description | Funding Sources | Metrics for Success | Results
Project Categories: 
Land, Habitat, Watershed
Food
Social Justice
Project Status: 
In Progress
Project End Date: 
06/01/2021
Campus Organization: 
Carbon Fund
Project Location: 
Off campus


Taking soil samples to assess soil quality characteristics.


Stakeholder Contacts: 
Contact NameEmail AddressDepartment
Aysha Peterson
kapeterson@ucsc.edu
Environmental Studies
Funding Sources: 
Carbon Fund

Project Description: 

This project aims to (1) assess the barriers to implementation of best soil management practices facing low-income farmers of color throughout the Central Coast region, and (2) address these barriers through educational programming. From summer 2019 to winter 2020, I conducted focus groups with farmers to gather qualitative data. Audio recordings were transcribed during and analyzed for emergent themes during spring 2020. In summer 2020, I planned and collected video footage for 4 short videos that center the voices and perspectives of local farmers in their efforts to implement sustainable soil management practices. From summer through fall 2020, I worked with an undergraduate research assisted to complete this four videos, which serve as educational resources for farmers and students in this region. From winter through spring 2021, I worked with regional farmer assistance providers to plan and host 4 workshops to both address informational gaps identified by research findings and to communicate economic and production-related needs to relevant audiences. Finally, in spring 2021, I worked with the Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association (ALBA) to create a longer fifth video that integrates farmers experiences with scientific explanations of the environmental and economic benefits of specific soil management practices.

Metrics for Success: 

Success of this project will be indicated by completion of 5 farmer focus groups, transcription and analysis of qualitative data from 5 audio recordings, development of 1+ scholarly publications discussing findings from this research, completion of 5+ short videos centering farmers' voices and perspectives, completion of a workshop for the regional farming community, and completion of a workshop at the CASFS farm for the campus community.

Result Categories: 
Education/Outreach
Data Collection & Analysis
Results: 

Results from this project will include: (1) scholarly publications about farmers' efforts to implement best soil management practices throughout the Central Coast region; (2) short videos centering farmers' voices and perspectives in their efforts to practice sustainable soil management; (3) a farmer workshop in the Salinas Valley. Additionally, the UCSC campus community will have the opportunity to learn about this project and the work being conducted in the regional farming community through an interactive workshop at the CASFS farm, which will likely be held during the 2020-2021 school year.