Communication ETDs

Publication Date

7-1-2014

Abstract

The following study looks at how traditional, organic, cooperative farmers who are starting a new farming cooperative in the Albuquerque South Valley in New Mexico communicate about their farming as a set of (sustainable) cultural practices. The study draws on environmental communication theories, the theory of the Coordinated Management of Meaning, and Actor Network Theory to construct a communication-based framework through which to view farmers stories about sustainability and visions for the future of their farming cooperative. This framework is productive, showing how some Nuevo Mexicano farmers (and others) orient toward farming, sustenance, and human-nature relationships through community, family, heritage, education, and resistance to agribusiness models, among other orientations. Finally, the study looks at how these farmers orient toward sustainability, and how they see their work as sustainable practice.

Language

English

Keywords

Environmental/Ecocultural Communication, Cooperative Organic Farming, Heritage, Sustainability

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Communication

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

Department of Communication and Journalism

First Committee Member (Chair)

Littlejohn, Stephen

Second Committee Member

Weiss, David

Third Committee Member

Hendry, Judith

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