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.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

APLU. (n.d.a). Land-Grant University FAQ. https://www.aplu.org/about-us/history-of-aplu/what-is-a-land-grant-university/

APLU. (n.d.b). About the Cooperative Extension System. https://www.aplu.org/food-environment-and-renewable-resources/board-on-agriculture-assembly/cooperative-extension-section/#:~:text=Program%20Areas%20include%20but%20are,%2C%20Volunteerism%2C%20and%20Human%20Sciences.

Atuyambe, L. M., Ediau, M., Orach, C. G., Musenero, M., & Bazeyo, W. (2011). Landslide disaster in eastern Uganda: rapid assessment of water, sanitation and hygiene situation in Bulucheke camp, Bududa district. Environmental health, 10, 1–13.

Balzani, A., & Hanlon, A. (2020). Factors that influence farmers’ views on farm animal welfare: A semi-systematic review and thematic analysis. Animals, 10(9), 1524.

Barnes, T. C. (2013). Changing Roles of a University Cooperative Extension Service in Response to Social Change. Walden University.

Brandt, H., Haynes, V., Rice, L. J., Campbell, D., Williams, E., Wilson, S., & Glover, S. H. (2017). Using Photovoice as a tool for community engagement to assess the environment and explore environmental health disparities. Journal of health disparities research and practice, 10(3), 68.

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative research in psychology, 3(2), 77–101.

Brown, P.J. (1991). Culture and the evolution of obesity. Human Nature, 2(1), 31–57.

Brown, V., Bowie, M., Bales, D., Scheyett, A., Thomas, R., & Cook, G. (2023). Cooperative Extension offices as mental health hubs: A social ecological case study in rural Georgia, United States. SSM-Mental Health, 3, 100191.

Campbell, R. D., Dennis, M. K., Lopez, K., Matthew, R., & Choi, Y. J. (2021). Qualitative research in communities of color: Challenges, strategies, and lessons. Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research, 12(1), 177–200.

Campbell, J., & Edwards, M. C. (2024). A Historical Review of Urban Cooperative Extension in the United States: Origin, Evolution, and Outlook. Journal of Agricultural Education, 65(4).

CDC. (September 12, 2023). End of the Federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) Declaration. https://archive.cdc.gov/www_cdc_gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/end-of-phe.html

Christou, P. A. (2023). How to use thematic analysis in qualitative research. Journal of Qualitative Research in Tourism, 3(2), 79–95.

Clarke, V., & Braun, V. (2017). Thematic analysis. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 12(3), 297–298.

Cooper, J., & Masterson, J. (2017, February 23). How Black History Has Influenced Disaster Planning. Center for Disaster Philanthropy. https://disasterphilanthropy.org/blog/floods/black-history-influenced-disaster-planning.

Copel, L. C., Smeltzer, S. C., Byrne, C. D., Chen, M. H., Havens, D. S., Kaufmann, P., Brom, H., Durning, J. D., Maldonado, L., Bradley, P., K., Mensinger, J., & Yost, J. (2023). A thematic analysis of shared experiences of essential health and support personnel in the COVID-19 pandemic. PLoS One, 18(3), e0282946.

Davis, J. Wilson, S., Brock-Martin, A., Glover, S., and Svendsen, E. R (2010). The Impact of Disasters on Populations with Health and Healthcare Disparities. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness. 4(1), 30–38.

Dulin, M. F., Tapp, H., Smith, H. A., Urquieta de Hernandez, B., & Furuseth, O. J. (2011). A community based participatory approach to improving health in a Hispanic population. Implementation Science, 6, 1–11.

Durant, R. W., Legedza, A. T., Marcantonio, E. R., Freeman, M. B., & Landon, B. E. (2011). Different types of distrust in clinical research among whites and African Americans. Journal of the National Medical Association, 103(2), 123–130.

Elder, K, Xirasagar S, Miller N, Bowen S. A, Glover, S., & Piper C. (2007). African Americans’ decisions not to evacuate New Orleans before Hurricane Katrina: a qualitative study. American Journal of Public Health, 97(Supplement_1). S124–S129.

Esters, L. L., & Strayhorn, T. L. (2013). Demystifying the contributions of public land-grant historically Black colleges and universities: Voices of HBCU presidents. Negro Educational Review, 64(1-4), 119–134.

FEMA, (n.d.). Disasters and Other Declarations. https://www.fema.gov/disaster/declarations?field_dv2_declaration_date_value%5Bmin%5D=2016&field_dv2_declaration_date_value%5Bmax%5D=2019&field_dv2_declaration_type_value=All&field_dv2_incident_type_target_id_selective=49124&field_dv2_state_territory_tribal_value%5B%5D=NC

Fiske, A. P. (2002). Using individualism and collectivism to compare cultures–a critique of the validity and measurement of constructs: comment on Oyerstman et al. (2002).

Fox, J. M. (2024). Extension Programming to Enhance Urban Well-Being. Extension Education and the Social Sciences: Uplifting Children, Youth, Families, and Communities, 64.

Getrich, C. M., Sussman, A. L., Campbell-Voytal, K., Tsoh, J. Y., Williams, R. L., Brown, A. E., Potter, M. B., Weller, N., Pascoe, J., Schwartz, K., & Neale, A. V. (2013). Cultivating a cycle of trust with diverse communities in practice-based research: a report from PRIME Net. The Annals of Family Medicine, 11(6), 550–558.

Glover, S. H., Xirasagar, S., Yunho, J., Elder, K. T., Piper, C., & Pastides, H. (2009). “A Human Capital Approach to Reduce Health Disparities.” Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice. Spring, 2009; 3(1). 1–14.

Griffin, S., Glover, S. H., Williams, A., & Brandt, H. M. (2009). “Participatory Evaluation of Community-Based HPV and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control Efforts.” The Journal of the South Carolina Medical Association (1975), 105(7), 309.

Gutter, M. S., O'Neal, L. J., Riportella, R., Sugarwala, L., Mathias, J., Vilaro, M. J., Paige, S. R., Szurek, S., M., Navarro, G., Baralt, C., & Rhyne, R. (2020). Promoting community health collaboration between CTSA programs and Cooperative Extension to advance rural health equity: Insights from a national Un-Meeting. Journal of clinical and translational science, 4(5), 377–383.

Harris, M. (1964). The nature of cultural things. (Vol. 5) Random House.

Ishisaka, H. A., Farwell, N., Sohng, S. S. L., & Uehara, E. S. (2004). Teaching notes: partnership for integrated community-based learning: a social work community-campus collaboration. Journal of Social Work Education, 40(2), 321–336.

Israel, B. A., Schulz, A. J., Parker, E. A., & Becker, A. B. (2008). Critical issues in developing and following community based participatory research principles. In Community-based participatory research for health (pp. 47–62). Jossey-Bass.

Irwin, A., & Poots, J. (2015). The human factor in agriculture: An interview study to identify farmers’ non-technical skills. Safety Science, 74, 114–121.

Kalton, G. (2020). Introduction to Survey Sampling (No. 35). Sage Publications.

Kamara, J. K., Agho, K., & Renzaho, A. M. (2019). Understanding disaster resilience in communities affected by recurrent drought in Lesotho and Swaziland—A qualitative study. PLoS One, 14(3), e0212994.

Klooster, E., Koenders, N., Vermeulen-Holsen, J., Vos, L., Van Der Wees, P. J., & Hoogeboom, T. J. (2022). Healthcare professionals feel empowered by implementing a hospital-based multifaceted intervention: a qualitative study using inductive thematic analysis. BMC Health Services Research, 22(1), 903.

Manzo, K. K. (2000). Report predicts surge in minority enrollment by 2015. Black Issues in Higher Education, Diverse Issues in Higher Education, 17(9), 14.

Marrero, A., López-Cepero, A., Borges-Méndez, R., & Mattei, J. (2022). Narrating agricultural resilience after Hurricane María: how smallholder farmers in Puerto Rico leverage self-sufficiency and collaborative agency in a climate-vulnerable food system. Agriculture and Human Values, 39(2), 555-571.

Matlakala, F. K., Nyahunda, L., & Makhubele, J. C. (2021). Challenges Faced by Small-scale Farmers in the Face of Natural Disasters in Rural Areas: An Afrocentric Perspective. African Journal of Development Studies, 11(4).

McLeod, S. (2024, September 30). Thematic Analysis: A Step by Step Guide. Simply Psychology. https://www.simplypsychology.org/thematic-analysis.html

Medved, P., & Ursic, M. (2021). The Benefits of University Collaboration Within University–Community Partnerships in Europe. Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement, 25(2).

Miller, R. L., & Shinn, M. (2005). Learning from communities: Overcoming difficulties in dissemination of prevention and promotion efforts. American Journal of Community Psychology, 35(3), 169–183.

Minkler, M., & Wallerstein, N. (Eds.). (2003). Community based participatory research. Implications for public health funding, 2003, 93.

Mobley, J., S. (2020). Place-based Community Engagement in Higher Education: A Strategy to Transform Universities and Communities, Christian Higher Education, 19(1-2), 147–150, https://doi.org/10.1080/15363759.2019.1689202

Probst, J. C., Moore, C., Glover, S. H., & Samuels, M. E. (2004). Person and Place: The compounding effects of race/ethnicity and rurality on health. American Journal of Public Health, 94(10): 1695–1703.

Sivakumar, M. V. K. (2008). Natural disasters and their mitigation for sustainable agricultural development. Management of natural and environmental resources for sustainable agricultural development, 172–191.

Strier, R. (2011). The construction of university-community partnerships: Entangled perspectives. Higher Education, 62, 81–97.

Terry, G., Hayfield, N., Clarke, V., & Braun, V. (2017). Thematic analysis. The SAGE handbook of qualitative research in psychology, 2(17-37), 25.

Ulin, P. R., Robinson, E. T., Tolley, E.E. (2005). Qualitative methods in public health: a field guide for applied research. Jossey-Bass.

USDA, (n.d.a), Science Emphasis Area (SEA) and Knowledge Area (KA) Connection. https://www.nifa.usda.gov/data/nifa-reporting-system/science-emphasis-area-sea-knowledge-area-ka-connection#:~:text=Knowledge%20Areas%20(KAs)%20are%20used,information%20about%20each%20reporting%20system.

USDA, (n.d.b). NIFA Science Areas and Knowledge Areas Crosswalk. https://www.nifa.usda.gov/sites/default/files/resource/20190514-Science-Emphasis-Areas-Knowledge-Areas-Crosswalk_0.pdf

USDA-NRCS. (n.d.). Historically Underserved Farmers & Ranchers. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/people/outreach/slbfr/?cid=nrcsdev11_001040

Viswanathan, M., Ammerman, A., Eng, E., Garlehner, G., Lohr, K. N., Griffith, D., Rhodes, S., Samuel-Hodge, C., Maty, S., Lux, L., Webb, L., Sutton, S. F., Swinson, T., Jackman., A., & Whitener, L. (2004). Community‐based participatory research: Assessing the evidence: Summary. AHRQ evidence report summaries.

Vogel, C., Koch, I., & Van Zyl, K. (2010). “A Persistent Truth”—Reflections on Drought Risk Management in Southern Africa. Weather, Climate, and Society, 2(1), 9–22.

Wallerstein, N. B., & Duran, B. (2006). Using community-based participatory research to address health disparities. Health promotion practice, 7(3), 312–323.

Weiner, J. & Mcdonald, J. (2013). Special issue: three models of community-based participatory research. LDI issue brief. 18. 1–8.

WHO. (n.d.). Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. https://www.who.int/europe/emergencies/situations/covid-19#:~:text=Cases%20of%20novel%20coronavirus%20(nCoV,pandemic%20on%2011%20March%202020.