Building Capacity for Socio-Ecological Change through the Campus Farm: A Mixed-Methods Study

Authors

Francesca A. Williamson, Indiana University School of Medicine
Amber J. Rollings, bThe Henry Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine
Grant A. Fore, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Julia L. Angstmann, Center for Urban Ecology, Butler UniversityFollow
Brandon H. Sorge, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-9-2022

Publication Title

Environmental Education Research

DOI

10.1080/13504622.2022.2070604

Additional Publication URL

https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2022.2070604

Abstract

Given the ongoing socio-ecological crises, higher education institutions need curricular interventions to support students in developing the knowledge, skills, and perspectives needed to create a sustainable future. Campus farms are increasingly becoming sites for sustainability and environmental education toward this end. This paper describes the design and outcomes of a farm-situated place-based experiential learning (PBEL) intervention in two undergraduate biology courses and one environmental studies course over two academic years. We conducted a mixed-method study using pre/post-surveys and focus groups to examine the relationship between the PBEL intervention and students’ sense of place and expressions of pro-environmentalism. The quantitative analysis indicated measurable shifts in students’ place attachment and place-meaning scores. The qualitative findings illustrate a complex relationship between students’ academic/career interests, backgrounds, and pro-environmentalism. We integrated these findings to generate a model of sustainability learning through PBEL and argue for deepening learning to encourage active participation in socio-ecological change.

Rights

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Environmental Education Research on May 9th 2022. The published version of this article can be found online at Taylor Francis Online.

Recommended Citation

Williamson, Francesca A.; Rollings, Amber J.; Fore, Grant A.; Angstmann, Julia L.; and Sorge, Brandon H., "Building Capacity for Socio-Ecological Change through the Campus Farm: A Mixed-Methods Study" Environmental Education Research / (2022): -.
Available at https://digitalcommons.butler.edu/facsch_papers/1414