LE3 .A278 2020

2020

Warner, Alan

Acadia University

Bachelor of Community Development

Honours

Environmental and Sustainability Studies

Community Development

Women farmers are essential to the development of sustainable agriculture, however barriers to women’s involvement in farming continue to persist. There is currently little research on the gendered experiences of women farmers in Nova Scotia, and no research on the gendered experiences of women farmers in sustainable farming in Nova Scotia. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to increase the discourse around gendered issues in farming and better understand how to encourage and support women in entering and remaining in the field. There were two questions explored in this research. First, what are the motivations of sustainable women farmers, including what they love most about farming? Second, what are the barriers facing sustainable, women farmers and to what extent are these a gendered experience? These two questions were explored through photovoice, a participatory, action-based methodology. This study collected qualitative data through four photovoice sessions, including two focus groups. The participants for this research consisted of 6 sustainable women farmers living in the Annapolis Valley. The study found that there were many motivations for participants to farm, with a significant number of reasons being closely connected to why they chose to use sustainable farming methods. The study also found that participants did face gender barriers, such as having to work harder to gain credibility, having to conform to a male dominated field and experiencing gendered treatment and assumptions in their interactions with others. The types of communities that support sustainable women farmers and the ways in which these support systems can be strengthened were discussed in the study.

The author retains copyright in this thesis. Any substantial copying or any other actions that exceed fair dealing or other exceptions in the Copyright Act require the permission of the author.

https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:3424