EEB Student Dissertation Defense - Seeds of Change: The Power of Small-Scale Farming Communities

Abstract: Alexa critically examines the role of farm size in sustainable agriculture within the context of global food systems and political economies. She argues that small-scale farms are vital for sustainable development due to their unique capacity to implement eco-friendly practices and maintain local food sovereignty, contrasting significantly with large-scale, corporate farming models. The research utilizes a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods to explore how different farm sizes affect agricultural sustainability across diverse geographies, including detailed case studies in Jamaica and Hawaii. By integrating theoretical frameworks with empirical research, this study contributes to the discourse on sustainable agriculture and challenges existing policies that favor large-scale operations over smaller, more sustainable farming practices.