Using Community-Based Participatory Research to Assess How Historically Underserved Farmers and Ranchers Respond to Natural Disasters

Noel M Estwick; Saundra H. Glover; Sudha Xirasagar; Zixiao Nan; Maushmi Patel; Gianna Desiree Sorola

doi:10.5032/jae.v67i1.3192

Authors

Noel M Estwick Prairie View A&M University https://orcid.org/0009-0001-0043-7304
Saundra H. Glover University of South Carolina https://orcid.org/0009-0008-7431-4412
Sudha Xirasagar University of South Carolina https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9722-454X
Zixiao Nan University of South Carolina https://orcid.org/0009-0000-9995-1671
Maushmi Patel University of South Carolina https://orcid.org/0009-0002-0688-7549
Gianna Desiree Sorola Prairie View A&M University https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0077-4127

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5032/jae.v67i1.3192

Keywords:

Historically underserved farmers and ranchers, knowledge systems and agricultural disasters, culture and disasters, community-based participatory research, farm level disaster preparedness

Abstract

Within the disaster context, it is paramount that policymakers, academics and society at large understand cultural gaps by exploring the impacts of disasters with respect to person, place and professional agencies. This study sought to gather knowledge on how to work collaboratively with historically underserved farmers and ranchers (HUFRs) to enhance disaster education programming at land-grant universities. It utilized a Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach in a multiple-case research design. Key informant interviews and focus groups were conducted and the focus group data were analyzed using thematic analysis (TA). The study employed a knowledge system utilizing culture as the lens to create a snapshot of the vulnerabilities HUFRs face during disasters, examine how they respond, and outline steps needed to mitigate impacts of disasters. Themes emerged across three levels: personal, community, and professional organizations. The themes were inadequate emergency preparedness, access to resources and support, communication, and collaboration. The analysis produced less clarity on the role of professional organizations in emergency preparedness. The results of the study indicate that a sustained partnership between the 1890 Land-Grant institutions and HUFRs stands to mitigate these farmers and ranchers’ loss of quality products, help them to maintain operations, sustain their farming communities, build disaster resilience and improve their overall quality of life. This study was the first effort of the 1890-Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) Advisory Group (AG) to conduct research that addresses cultural gaps by exploring the impacts of disasters on HUFRs.

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