Engaging Organic Intellectuals. Presentation by Karsten Mundel, University of Alberta

The Transformative Learning Centre and The Social Economy Centre (OISE/University of Toronto) present:

Engaging Organic Intellectuals: Transformative Learning and Farmers' Transition to Sustainable Agriculture

Karsten Mündel, University of Alberta

Based on a research recently completed as part of his doctoral dissertation at OISE/UT, Karsten Mundel will explore farmers’ learning that resulted from their transition to sustainable and counterhegemonic agriculture in Alberta. Most farmers have serious questions about the extensive use of chemical products and industrial processes endemic to North American agriculture today, yet they continue these practices. However, there are a few farmers who have decided to farm in ways that are environmentally and socially sustainable. Understanding these farmers’ transformative learning can help broaden our understanding of how people learn and act to make change in the world.

Karsten Mundel is affiliated with the University of Alberta, where he works with the Mexico-Prairies Rural Development Exchange (www.augustana.ca/rdx) and the Community Service Learning program (http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/arts/CSLhome.cfm). Karsten has been involved in research on international youth exchanges and on the informal learning of volunteers. Karsten also tries to farm organically in his back-yard garden in his spare time.

Tuesday, October 31, 2006
4:00 to 5:30 pm
OISE/UT, 252 Bloor St. West, Toronto
Room 7-162