There is growing interest in the re-localization of food systems.  Farmers’ markets are important and increasingly prevalent sites of economic and social exchange in the evolution of local food systems.  Little is understood, however, about the role of farmers’ markets in fostering increased local production and consumption, or the broader impacts of these social economy enterprises on the communities (both urban and rural) and regions with which they are associated.  This research project over two phases will examine and compare the current and potential role of farmers’ markets in British Columbia and Alberta, Canada, as social economy drivers for local food systems.BC-Alberta Social Economy Research Alliance (BALTA) ; Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC

Barbolet, Herb

Beckie, Mary

Cabaj, Paul

Low, Will

Wittman, Hannah

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1B.C.- Alberta Social Economy Research Alliance (BALTA)Project Proposal – Projects B5 and B7 – 2009-2010A. Title of project: Farmers’ Markets as Social Economy Drivers of Local Food Systems:Phases I and IIB. With which BALTA SERC Is this project associated? Or is it a cross cuttingproject? SERC IIC. Co-Lead researchers:AB: Mary Beckie (University of Alberta)Paul Cabaj (Canadian Centre for Community Renewal)BC: Hannah Wittman (Simon Fraser University)Will Low (Royal Roads University)Herb Barbolet (Simon Fraser University)D. Names of other researchers and organizations involved:The following individuals and agencies have been or will be approached to act asadvisors to this research:AB FM AssociationBC FM AssociationFM CanadaAB Agriculture MinistryBC Agriculture MinistryAgriculture Canada – PFRA DivisionE. Description of project, including objectives, outputs and intended outcomes:This BALTA SERC II research on farmers’ markets (FMs) provides an opportunity todrill down into one of the key themes – local and organic food systems – identified in theSERC II B1 scoping project. The objective of this research is to examine the current andpotential role of FMs in the development of local food systems. This research isinformed by the following theories: clustering, actor network, and social embeddedness.This work was originally to be carried out in two separate and successive phases: B5(Sept 2008 – Aug 2009), and B7 (Sept 2009 – Jan 2010). However, in the spring of2009, a decision was made by the lead researchers to merge the field work initiallyoutlined for the two phases, as well as accompanying documentary/backgroundresearch, in order to make more efficient use of time and resources.This research on FMs was initiated in Sept 2008 with a review of the literature on FMsand local food systems, using a social economy lens, followed by the preparation forand implementation of a Delphi inquiry with FM and food system experts (governmentrepresentatives, FM managers and vendors, producers, academics) in BC and AB.2The merging of B5 and B7 will involve conducting field and documentary research forthe development of case profiles of FMs in two geographically situated clusters of FMsin BC and AB, in order to examine the following: internal market as well as inter-market linkages; exploring the movement,exchange and consolidation of knowledge, products, and people in ageographic regional cluster of FMs. external linkages between FMs in these clusters and the broader regionalfood system (comprised of both conventional/globalized and alternative/localactors and entities). What linkages currently exist between FMs and otheraspects of the supply chain? What are the opportunities and challenges? Howare FMs, as social economy enterprises, influencing and being influenced bythe food system within which they are situated and also a part of? How areother factors (physical infrastructure, production base, leadership, FM policiesand regulations (e.g. limits on reselling), government policy and regulations(e.g., health and safety, zoning, trade agreements) influencing the social andeconomic embeddedness of FMs within this geographically-situated network?What other strategies and initiatives can be developed for scaling up andconsolidating local food supply? What related marketing and processingoptions could evolve out of FMs?F. Research activities, plan of work and timetable:This research will rely predominantly on case study analysis. The case study approachis fundamentally a qualitative method, but one that draws upon a wide range of bothquantitative and qualitative data to gather in-depth information about the subject, withina specific context. The qualitative data (including interviews, document analysis, andsite visits by students and project leads) will be synthesized and analyzed within thecontext of significant spatial and temporal trends and relationships. This will requirelooking at the findings of the Delphi Inquiry and the case study work, whilst alsocontinuing to gather and analyze information in relevant academic literature, otherreports and statistics. The case study guide developed by BALTA will be utilized in thisresearch.3Activity StudentResearchersInvolvedCollaboration andSupervisionTimelineDocumentaryReview1 BC grad student1 AB grad studentBC co-leadsAB co-leadsJuly – Dec 2009(on-going)Case studies- interviewsAs above As above July – August2009Data analysisand reportwritingStudents andProject LeadsData analysis and reportwriting will be collaborativeamongst all researchersinvolved, but each co-lead(Beckie and Wittman) will takeresponsibility for the finalproduction of one journalarticle and one conferencepresentation each (to be co-authored with all participants).Non-academic researchers willtake responsibility forpresenting results at FM Assocconferences.Oct 2009 - Jan2010Outputs: 2 refereed journal articles (Project Leads) 2 conference presentations (Project Supervisors in conjunction withstudents where possible) Presentation of results at annual farmer market association conferences ineach provinceG. Purpose and significance of the research, including congruence with thestrategic research objectives identified for the SERC and BALTA. Why shouldthis project be approved, given BALTA’s limited resources? [Refer to theproject criteria in the BALTA Workplans and Project Proposals Policy.]This work will build upon previous work completed and in the process of beingcompleted for SERC II, including the literature review, scoping project, profiles on 2 FMsin AB and BC, and the current B5 Phase 1.Farmers’ markets are arguably one of the most successful examples of social andeconomic enterprise in Canada. In part driven by increased public concern for theenvironment and demand for local food alternatives, individual farmer’s markets areexpanding rapidly and the number of markets is also increasing in BC and AB.4Despite the growing phenomena of FMs throughout North America, little is understoodabout the role that they play in local and regional food systems, or the broader impactsof these enterprises on the communities (both urban and rural) and regions which theyare a part of. Whilst Phase 1 of this research is focusing on the internal and inter-marketrelations connecting and mobilizing people, knowledge and goods, Phase 2 provides anopportunity to look at the linkages between FM and the broader regional food system.This research will complement other research on the current economic impact of FMs inCanada that was recently conducted by Farmers’ Market Canada, provincial data onalternative agriculture, and a soon to be completed study on agricultural profiling in theEdmonton Capital Region by PFRA (Agriculture Canada). Input from these sources willbe used in developing these case studies, all of which will contribute to betterunderstanding of local and regional food systems and the role of FMs as both social andeconomic actors in this process.H. Will the project involve student researchers in a paid or unpaid capacity? Ifyes, will they need to be recruited or have they already been identified?Briefly describe the roles and responsibilities of students involved in theresearch project, the skills/experience they will acquire, and how this willcomplement their academic training. Explain as well how adequatesupervision and support of the student will be ensured.This project is requesting funding for two graduate student research assistants workingpart-time (10 hrs/wk on average). These positions could be filled by MA students. AnMA student at the University of Alberta has been identified as a possible candidate tocarry out the work in AB. Recruitment for the BC student will occur once funding issecure; several suitable candidates have expressed interest. Experience with qualitativeresearch methods, particularly qualitative interviews and data analysis, is critical. Thestudents selected will be capable researchers and are interested in the study of thesocial economy and local food systems. This research will complement the researchthey are involved with for their graduate degrees and will give them an opportunity toexpand their research skills in qualitative research methods, as well as their knowledgeconcerning the social economy and local food systems.I. Describe plans for communicating research results within the academiccommunity. Indicate audience and specific output(s) i.e., refereed journalarticles, conference presentations or other appropriate channels. At least 2 refereed journal articles (e.g Food and Society, Agriculture andHuman Values, Rural Sociology) Presentations for at least two Academic conferences including CanadianAssociation of Food StudiesJ. Describe plans for communicating research results outside the academiccommunity to practitioners, policy makers, and other people for whom the5research results could be significant. Indicate audience and specificoutput(s). Presentations to local, regional, provincial and federal policy makerscurrent in key departments tied to Farmers Markets Presentations to practitioner groups and community stakeholders involvedin local food Presentation to Farmers Market Canada Annual conference Posting of results on websites for Alberta Farmers Market Association, BCFarmers Market Association, Farmer Markets Canada, CCEDNet, and theBALTA websiteReport on findings will be made available to organizations and individual advisors tothis research, as well as other interested practitioners, provincial or othergovernment departments and agencies, other BALTA partners, and members of thewider social economy network.K. Describe your plans for monitoring and evaluating your research project. Feelfree to consult with BALTA’s Coordinator on designing possible approaches.(Note that monitoring and evaluation are extremely important both forensuring the success of the project as well as satisfying reporting to SSHRC.) Quarterly report to SERC 2 and BALTA regarding project progresscompared to agreed timeline and objectives Project final report to SERC 2 and BALTA confirming completion ofproposed outputs Student evaluations by both the student and supervisor using BALTAapproved formats An end of project evaluation involving project partners and participants toassess extent to which project objectives, outputs and outcomes havebeen realized Medium term follow-up report, 6 - 12 months after project completion,involving farmers market associations in each province to obtain theirassessment of project results including impact of outcomes and potentialfor further project impactL. What are the research tools you propose to use in your project?NOTE: If your research involves human subjects, you MUST provide copies ofyour proposed research tools (as well as your research plan) prior tocommencing research. Please see the document “BALTA Ethical ReviewProcess – Simplified” for information about ethical review requirements.This project will involve research with human subjects and an ethical review will bedeveloped for the collection of data during interviews.6M. Budget and ContributionsCategory Requested of BALTA Other Contributions1. 2 Student salaries$23/hr @10hr/wk for 5months($4,600.00 per student)$9,200.00 $6,000.001 (a) Studentbenefits/overhead costs (ifthe student will be a CCCRhire, add 10.5% of thestudent salaries amount; ifthe student will beemployed by anotherinstitution, add the relevantamount)$ 966.00 $ 630.002. Researcher ReleaseTime (Mary Beckie)$7,500.00 $3,500.00*3. Research Support Costs(e.g. supplies,communication costs)$ 500.004. KnowledgeDissemination$2,000.005. Travel $1,800.00 $1,800.00TOTALS$19,466.00 $14,430.00*this figure would fund additional release time, and does not include the in-kind contributions ofresearch time for Hannah Wittman, Will Low, Paul Cabaj, or Herb Barbolet.Budget Explanation:1. Student Salaries/Benefits. We have requested BALTA funding for student work onone FM cluster analysis in each province. Additional funding sought from interestedpartners (see below) will fund an additional cluster analysis in each province in order toincrease the scope of the data analysis and improve generalizability.2. Researcher Release Time. While the students will primarily be involved in datacollection and collation of documents, the primary responsibility for analysis and finalwrite-up and publication/dissemination of results will fall on the Project Leads. We arerequesting a one-course release stipend for Mary Beckie to coordinate the analysis,write-up, and publication/dissemination of research results.3. Research Support Costs. While in-kind support from SFU and UA will fundmaterials and supplies for the primary cluster analysis in each province, requested7funds from external partners will provide for additional materials needed for a secondcluster (long-distance telephone, survey materials, regional transportation costs).4. Knowledge Dissemination. We anticipate that potential external funders willprovide support for the creation of materials disseminating research results in a formataccessible to the general public: policy briefs, brochures, website development, etc.5. Travel. We are requesting travel funds from BALTA for the 2 academicconferences. Support requested from external funders will cover travel expensesassociated with regional presentations and farmers market association meetings.Plan for acquisition of Support from External PartnersFollowing the completion of Phase 1 research, this proposal will be firmed up and usedto approach subsequent funders to enhance the scope of the research with a priorityplaced on: Deepening the reach of analysis with a particular focus on interviewing vendorsin FM who have expanded their markets through other local food marketmechanisms Examining an additional FM cluster in each province to increase generalizability. Expanding the planned public presentations into a full day strategic analysisworkshop with key policy makers in each province to examine the project findingsand develop potential action plansIdentified funders who have indicated interest include: Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, Rural Adaptation Fund Rural Secretariat Alberta Agriculture Council

Farmers’ Markets as Social Economy Drivers of Local Food Systems: Phases I and II

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Farmers’ Markets as Social Economy Drivers of Local Food Systems: Phases I and II

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