Cultivating Belonging: The Role of Community Farming in the Lives of Refugees from Burma
Public Deposited- Last Modified
- February 26, 2019
- Creator
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Reckard, Emily
- Affiliation: College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Anthropology
- Abstract
- Significant research exists supporting the public health benefits of urban green space. Yet little qualitative research has been done regarding how green space impacts refugee populations who have a history of farming. The aim of this thesis is to conduct original research on the transition of refugees from Burma to life in the United States, specifically in relation to green space. This paper explores how Roots Community Farm (RCF) cultivates a transnational identity and sense of belonging for refugees from Burma in Rock Springs. Drawing on three ethnographic methods—participant observation at the farm, analysis of end-of-the-year evaluation interviews with the farmers, and semi-structured interviews with community members and staff—this thesis utilizes RCF as a case study to research the role the community farm plays in forming and encouraging social relationships within the community of refugees from Burma and with the larger community of Rock Springs. Through this daily practice of farming, the refugees create a tangible and sensory connection to an imagined and remembered place of Burma. RCF fosters a deeply affective sense of belonging to the other farmers and to the land. This is significant given the increasing recognition of the importance of social connectedness for wellbeing.
- Date of publication
- spring 2017
- Keyword
- DOI
- Resource type
- Rights statement
- In Copyright
- Note
- Funding: Honors Undergraduate Research Fund
- Funding: Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship
- Advisor
- Chua, Jocelyn
- Degree
- Bachelor of Arts
- Academic concentration
- Anthropology
- Honors level
- Honors
- Degree granting institution
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Graduation year
- 2017
- Language
- English
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- Parents:
This work has no parents.
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