http://syndicatemizzou.org/articles Wed, 31 Oct 2007 02:19:26 GMT Connecting you with the University of Missouri’s innovative research and creative activity http://syndicatemizzou.org/articles/show/60 José Garcia puts on and takes off many hats during the average week, owing to the extension, teaching, and research dimensions of his work as Extension Assistant Professor in Rural Sociology. For instance, as Coordinator of the Community Food Systems and Sustainable Agriculture Program at MU (CFSSA), Garcia spends most of his time doing outreach with rural communities throughout the state. A common misunderstanding some people have about the term “sustainable agriculture” is that it rejects technology, harkening back to an earlier time when people worked mainly with their hands. Quite the contrary, Garcia clarifies: sustainable agriculture uses the most recent technology in its approach to farming (and to food itself), in which economic viability and environmental impact, along with social responsibility, are at the center of every decision. In relation to this last dimension, approaches to sustainable agriculture ask such questions as the following: “How socially responsible are farmers? What is the impact of their operations on communities, families, and workers? And how connected to the community are they? ” Garcia explains the complexity of the situation: “All of those kinds of things need to be taken into consideration when making decisions because food and agriculture are totally connected to people, to communities, and to laborers.” Thus Garcia provides information and training to people about various aspects of agriculture – whether that involves farms, factories, schools, or other community organizations. He hopes to see a ripple effect, with the information he gives to various community educators in Missouri being spread throughout the state. Wed, 31 Oct 2007 02:19:26 GMT http://syndicatemizzou.org/articles/show/60 (LuAnne Roth) http://syndicatemizzou.org/articles/show/80 As a child growing up in New Mexico, <a href=http://web.missouri.edu/%7Evanpoolc/>Christine VanPool</a> remembers visiting museums and state parks with her family. By all accounts, VanPool was a normal kid who loved to ask questions. Living on the edge of the Mescalero Apache reservation, VanPool developed an appreciation for the rich cultural history of her Native American friends, which led naturally to her interest in anthropology. Tue, 09 Sep 2008 05:00:00 GMT http://syndicatemizzou.org/articles/show/80 (Sean Powers)