Author ORCID Identifier
0000-0001-8820-3491
Abstract
Cooperative Extension Services and non-profit farm advocacy organizations assist farmers through network development and resource referrals to access information and services needed to operate resilient farms. One method for building networks and assessing existing resources is through participatory asset-mapping tools to document community strengths. In this research brief, we describe the results of a pilot study to test, evaluate, and refine an asset-mapping tool based on Appreciative Inquiry principles. Our goal in the pilot project was to assist the assembled farmers in identifying objectives for a sustainable future and understanding the existing set of resources that would empower them toward their goals. Based on positive project outcomes, we recommend that farmer-led organizations and Cooperative Extension Services replicate and scale up this type of Appreciative Inquiry-based asset-mapping workshop to expand outreach and connections among diverse communities of farmers.
Recommended Citation
Smolski, A. R.,
Ramsey, E.,
Royal, C.,
&
Schulman, M.
(2026). Affirming Farmer Assets and Visions: Results from a Pilot Appreciative-Inquiry-Based Asset-Mapping Workshop.
Journal of Human Sciences and Extension, 14(1), 17.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55533/2325-5226.1557
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
