Garden Hill is a remote fly-in First Nation community in Northern Manitoba with a very high incidence of food insecurity. This study examined food security and food sovereignty of the Garden Hill community by reinvigorating an environmental stewardship-driven food system. This research used community-based participatory research approach, and both qualitative and quantitative research tools to generate data and information. Findings reveal that only 3% households are food secure, 66% households are moderately food insecure, and 31% households are severely food insecure. Once self-sufficient with foods gathered from the local, natural foodshed, the community experienced a radical shift in food habits with a greater dependency on processed market foods. Such transformation in food habit and dietary balance, coupled with limited economic opportunities, made the inhabitants increasingly food insecure and vulnerable to multiple health complications. This research demonstrated the community has potentials for local food production. A pilot agricultural farm collaboratively established with a local social enterprise Meechim Inc. grew local food to help address the food insecurity situation. / February 2017

Master of Landscape Architecture / Department of Landscape Architecture/Regional & Community Planning / Laurence A. Clement, Jr. / Our current agricultural system in the U.S. involves procedures that appear to maintain high levels of productivity. However, the long-term outlook regarding this system indicates an overall degradation of the ecological resources that generate the abundance of agricultural products to which we are accustomed (Lyle, 1994). This project applies sustainable food production strategies specifically addressed in permaculture as a regenerative alternative to industrial agriculture to a site on the Kansas State University campus. This research initiative quantifies the productive benefits of sustainable agriculture in providing for the Derby Dining Hall, and illustrates how sustainable food production strategies can be shaped through landscape form and space in ways that connect people with ecologically sound food production. The literature review addressed landscape architecture theory and sustainable agriculture. In addition, a set of interviews as well as three precedent studies helped to focus project considerations and to inform design decision-making. The site design process comprised the primary method for exploration and subsequent development of conclusions. The first two design iterations were performed with a specific focus on garden productivity and then garden form, with the third acting as a synthesis of the first two. The final plan suggests that there is a potential for a positive didactic experience of sustainable food production through the artful synthesis of landscape form, particularly with regard to carefully arranged circulation patterns. In addition it was found that, given the average growing season rainfall of 3 inches per month, the water harvested from the roofs of Moore and West residence halls can support over 7,300 square feet of intensive produce beds with a 1 inch per week application rate. In regard to food production, select non-bulk items on Derby Dining Hall’s menu (e.g. Parsley, Garlic, Basil, Kale, Radishes, Turnips, & Oregano) can be provided for or supplemented entirely, given the designed array of produce in the proposed gardens. It would appear that incorporating permaculture and organic farming strategies into the campus fabric would facilitate K-State Housing and Dining’s efforts to promote healthy food -- and sustainable thinking -- by increasing the variety, freshness and interest of its menu.

No Rio Grande do Sul, grande parte da produção de alimentos orgânicos é realizada por famílias de agricultores ecologistas. Para estes produtores, a agroindustrialização familiar baseada em princípios agroecológicos, além de gerar renda promove a melhoria da qualidade de vida e a recuperação e preservação dos hábitos culturais e do meio ambiente, tendo forte papel no panorama produtivo gaúcho. Apesar da tendência de crescimento do setor ser evidenciada em vários estudos nestes últimos anos, alguns fatores limitantes ao seu desenvolvimento se apresentam, com poucos dados literários contemplando as restrições de natureza tecnológica e de gestão desses sistemas produtivos no RS. Diversas publicações focam em apenas um produto ou cadeia, mas produtores orgânicos geralmente apostam em diversificação de culturas. Por isso, uma abordagem que considerasse diferentes cadeias produtivas, como a aqui proposta, é necessária. Este trabalho teve por objetivo identificar restrições de natureza tecnológica e gerencial das agroindústrias familiares processadoras de alimentos orgânicos no RS em quatro cadeias de alimentos de interesse: Mandioca, Uva, Laticínios, Uva e Cana-de-Açúcar. Também buscou-se identificar fatores motivantes para adoção de sistemas agroecológicos de produção de alimentos. O método utilizado foi estudo de caso e o instrumento de coleta de dados foi um questionário semiestruturado aplicado a produtores agroecológicos da Região Metropolitana de Porto Alegre e da Serra Gaúcha Os resultados indicam que as motivações para produção neste sistema variam, mas são todas voltadas para sustentabilidade no campo, seja no sentido ambiental, financeiro ou salutar. As motivações não mudam entre cadeias diferentes e não foi identificada correlação com o porte do empreendimento. Em todas as cadeias estudadas produtores apontam como restrição organizacional falta de tempo para se dedicar às tarefas da atividade e dificuldades na certificação. Há convergência de restrições tecnológicas apontadas, como inadequação de maquinário, pouca oferta de insumos e matérias-primas. Apenas produtores de laticínios apontaram dificuldades quanto à padronização da produção. As diferenças entre produtores cooperativados e aqueles em processo de organização de rede de produtores, sindicatos e associações foram salientes. A possibilidade de compartilhar os custos e riscos inerentes à agroindustrialização de alimentos orgânicos influi positivamente no desenvolvimento de todas as cadeias entrevistadas. Em conclusão, este trabalho deixa evidente que existem convergências quanto a motivações e restrições dentro das cadeias agroindustriais e as melhorias das condições das agroindústrias beneficiadoras de alimentos orgânicos apenas serão realidade mediante esforço conjunto entre os diversos atores das cadeias estudadas. / In Rio Grande do Sul, a considerable portion of the oganic food production is done by families dedicated to ecological agriculture. For these producers, family based agro-industrialization hinged on agroecological principles, not only generates income; it also promotes an improvement in life quality and the recuperation and preservtion of cultural habits, as well as the environment, thus its strong role in the gaucho production scenery. Despite the sector’s growth tendency demonstrated by several studies performed in recent years, some limiting factors to its development are noted, with few literary data contemplating restrictions of technological or managerial natures from those production systems in Rio Grande do Sul. Several works published in the last few years focus on only one product or chain on products. However, organic food producers genereally rely on crops diversification. Therefore, an approach considering different production chains, as the one proposed here, is necessary. This work had as its goal to identify technological and managerial restrictions faced by Rio Grande do Sul’s family based agro-industries in four concerning organic food chains: Cassava, Dairy, Grape, and Sugar Cane products. It also sought to identify motivating factors in the adoption of agroecological food production systems. The method used was case study and the instrument for data collection was a semistructured questionnaire administered to agroecological producers from Porto Alegre’s Metropolitan Region and Serra Gaucha Results indicate that motivations for producing in this system vary, but they all turned to sustainability in rural areas, may it be in the environmental, financial, or health sense. Motivations do not change amongst different chains and no correlation was identified regarding the scale of the enterprise. In all studied chains, producers point as a managerial restriction the lack of time to dedicate to their activities’ choirs and difficulties regarding certification. There is a convergence regarding technological restrictions, such as inadequate machinery, lack of suppliers for inputs and raw materials. Only dairy producers claimed to have difficulties regarding standardization of their production. Differences between cooperativated producers and those in the process of organizing producers’ networks, syndicates and associations stood out. The possibility to share costs and risks inherent to the agroindustrialization of organic food has a positive influence in the development of all chains which were interviewed. In conclusion, this work evidences that the improvement of the conditions faced by enterprises which beneficiate organic food will only be a reality by means of conjoint efforts from the parties involved in the studied chains. In conclusion, this work evidentiates that there are convergences regarding motivations and restrictions within agrindustrial chains and improvements on the current conditions for agrindustries which process organic food will be a reality only by the joint efforts of all parts in the studied chains.

By 2050, it is estimated that food production will need to increase by 70 percent in developed countries and 100 percent in developing countries to meet the demands of future populations. In countries such as the United Kingdom - where the opportunities for increasing food production are limited due to the lack of available land - urban agriculture is seen as a possible solution to meeting increased food demand. However, many cities in the United Kingdom exhibit high building densities and the availability of space at ground level for agricultural activities is in short supply. As a result, the practice of urban agriculture in high-density cities is typically portrayed as a succession of purpose-built edifices that are filled with lettuces or livestock; illustrating a method of food production that is dependent on substantial investment and the demolition of existing buildings to succeed. Within this thesis, these large utopian agricultural skyscrapers are pushed to one side, and existing buildings become the focus of the research; so as to work with cities as they exist today rather than against them. The aim of this thesis is to determine the productivity of building integrated technical food systems and to understand the challenges that face their integration within existing buildings in the future, to calculate the cumulative impact of building integrated technical food systems on UK food security and to understand the potential benefits of building integrated technical food systems such as employment opportunities and the increase in green infrastructure. The delivery of this thesis is not dependent on a pre-existing hypothesis that building integrated technical food systems will drastically improve food security. Instead, this thesis relies on the design of real-world experiments, the development of simulated studies and the construction of logical arguments to quantify and qualify the potential impacts of building integrated technical food systems.

Addressing malnutrition (in all its forms) whilst developing a global food system compatible with environmental sustainability remains one of the most pressing challenges of the 21st century. The current framing of our food systems fails to fully capture the inequities in production, distribution, efficiency and sufficiency of all components necessary to end malnutrition. This research presents a holistic, scalable and replicable framework to model food system pathways (across all essential nutritional components, including macronutrients, micronutrients and amino acids), providing quantification of production, losses, allocation and conversions at all stages of the value chain. Furthermore, this framework attempts to translate current food metrics-often presented in tonnage or absolute terms-into daily per capita figures to provide important context for how this translates into food security and nutrition. This framework can be applied at global, regional and national levels. Here, this model is first presented at a global level and then focuses on India as a national-level example. Results highlight that, at a global level, we produce the equivalent of 5800 kilocalories and 170 grams of protein per person per day through crops alone. However, major system inefficiencies mean that less than half of crop calories and protein are delivered (or converted) for final food supply. Pathway inefficiencies are even more acute for micronutrients; more than 60% of all essential micronutrients assessed in this study are lost between production and consumer-available phases of the food supply system. Globally we find very large inequalities in per capita levels of food production, ranging from 19,000 kilocalories (729 grams of protein) per person per day in North America to 3300 kilocalories (80 grams of protein) in Africa. Large variations are also seen in terms of food system efficiency, ranging from 15-20% in North America to 80-90% in Africa. Understanding regional inefficiencies, inequalities and trade imbalances will be crucial to meet the needs of a growing global population. This case is exemplified in India-specific framework results. India's domestic production capacity would result in severe malnutrition across a large proportion (>60%) of the population (even under ambitious yield and waste reduction scenarios) in 2030/50. This shortfall will have to be addressed through optimised intervention and trade developments. This work also explores a number of solutions which couple improved nutritional outcomes with sustainability. Analyses of global and national nutritional guidelines conclude that most are incompatible with climate targets; the recommended USA or Australian diet provides minimal emissions savings relative to the business-as-usual diet in 2050. Low-cost, high-quality protein will remain a crucial element in developing an effective and sustainable food system. This research explores the potential of two sources. Results find that meat substitute products have significant health and emission benefits, but are strongly sensitive to both price and consumer acceptability. The environmental impact of aquaculture is strongly species-dependent. This study provides the first quantification of global greenhouse gas emissions from aquaculture, estimated to be 227±61 MtCO2e (approximately 3-4% of total livestock emissions). This is projected to increase to 365±99MtCO2e by 2030.

The food sector accounts for $1 of every $6 in the U.S. economy, with more than $700 billion in revenue every year. However, incidents of food safety and substandard quality continue to rise. Consumers are beginning to mistrust and have lower confidence in the food supply chain. Food manufacturers need to address this issue to remain profitable. One approach includes the introduction of food policy programs that allow for independent auditing and certifications such as the Safe Quality Food (SQF) certification. The SQF certification was established as a rigorous and credible benchmark for food handlers to enforce food safety and quality standards. The purpose of this qualitative case study research was to evaluate the perceived usefulness of the SQF certification to food manufacturers. Guided by the theory of diffusion of innovation, data collection for this study included 35 stakeholder semistructured interviews and a review of 5 publicly available documents for triangulation. Thematic analysis of the transcripts was performed to generate answers to the research questions. Study findings revealed that if properly implemented, the SQF certification is a credible and robust GFSI scheme that provides effective guidelines for food production. Findings also revealed 2 opportunities for improvement. Participants noted that training programs for SQF practitioners and auditors should be improved, likewise more commitment and involvement of facility management should be required. The findings may contribute to social change by providing food producers with strategies to minimize food production failures. With the perceived benefits of the SQF certification, other food producers who have not adopted this scheme can benefit from this holistic certification to enhance their food production network.

Local Roots is a design of a system where local interest circles and study groups share their knowledge and interest in the context of an outdoor museum. Here, museum visitors can get inspired by a first glimpse into the local culture of traditional food production. This thesis project mainly focuses on the introduction experience to this system, on the outdoor museum plant tour "what's my flavor". Interactive plant audio installations of this tour are placed around the territory of the museum. By touching different parts of a plant, museum visitors trigger information about its nutritional and cultural values. They start to see food opportunities in natural ecosystems, gain experience and train watchfulness the same way they would do it for centuries before, by touching, smelling and reading the signs of nature together with the more experienced peers.

ABSTRACT A LESSON FROM THE URBAN GARDEN Jamie Hamblin Purpose: In 2008 the world’s urban population surpassed the rural population; furthermore, the United Nations estimates by 2025 the world’s urban population will increase by about one billion people. Given recent population shifts and the interconnectedness between food and health, this research examines the role of agriculture in addressing urban food insecurity by reviewing urban interventions with a goal of food production. Methods: Using the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, an adjusted theoretical framework was developed which accounted for negative implications of these interventions as well as sustainability. Ultimately, the framework generated a food security score respective of each project. Using this score, statistical tests were conducted to confirm characteristics of more effective projects. Results: Statistical analysis indicates food security score has a strong correlation with physical, future and social capital (0.72, 0.73 and 0.80 respectively). Food security score has a moderate correlation with duration of project and a strong correlation with number of project components (0.60 and 0.83). Furthermore, mean food security score of projects which used participatory methods was statistically different than mean food security score of projects which did not use participatory methods (p=0.01). Conclusions: Participatory methods prove an important aspect of an urban agricultural intervention. Statistical results affirm urban food insecurity should be addressed through an integrated strategy which considers long-term viability of the project. Food security score, developed for this research, can help identify valuable components of interventions; however, this system is fairly subjective with some limitations.

Sweden is becoming increasingly dependent on the import of foodstuffs from a globalfood system that is unsustainable due to its responsibility for environmental degradation and itsdependency on finite resources like fertilizers and fossil fuels. The diminishing ability to be selfsufficientin a time when peak oil, climate change, environmental degradation, exponentialpopulation growth, and a troublesome global economy might reshape the structures of the currentsystems, in a not so distant future, could be a cause for great worry. Skåne County has functioned asa case study to investigate the level of self-sufficiency in foodstuffs at the present time and theprospects for self-sufficiency in the future. Forecasts for the years 2030 and 2050 have been madebased on five different variables: population size, production and consumption, climate change,available agricultural land, and the transition toward a sustainable agricultural system. At thepresent time, with today’s consumption patterns, the foodstuffs that are produced in Skåne Countycan sustain around 78% of the population. For the forecasts, different scenarios have been generatedby adjusting the five variables within a reasonable range. Scenarios are also in the forecasts inwhich suggested proactive implementations to enhance the possibilities for self-sufficiency havebeen included. Due to these proactive implementations and the high degree of uncertainty withinsome variables, the result ranges from a 16.7% self-sufficiency level up to 111.6%. In order to reacha 100 % level of self-sufficiency there are strong indications that this will require structural systemchanges as well as behavioral changes

Austin has residents that have health and nutrition issues that are linked to a lack of access to healthy foods. Some urban agriculture experts believe that one way to help mitigate the issue of access is to increase the amount of food that is produced locally. This report will look at planning issues involving food production, examine the amount of food that is being produce at farms located in Austin, make an inventory of available agricultural lands that have the potential for food growth, and make a basic calculation of how many people food from those lands could feed. / text