Seeds Of Change Research Articles

Seeds of change: A bibliometric study on sustainable technologies and business strategies in agriculture

The transition to sustainable agricultural practices is critical in the face of escalating climate challenges. Despite significant advances, the integration of green technologies within agribusiness remains underexplored. This study undertakes a comprehensive bibliometric analysis, utilizing data from the Web of Science Core Collection (1990–2023), to elucidate the integration of green technologies within agribusiness strategies. The research highlights key trends, influential authors, prominent journals, and significant thematic clusters, including biogas, biochar, biotech remediation, sustainable agriculture transition, low-carbon agriculture, and green strategies. By employing R, Bibliometrix, and VOSviewer, the study provides a nuanced understanding of the research landscape, emphasizing the critical role of strategic planning, policy frameworks, technological innovation, and interdisciplinary approaches in promoting sustainable agricultural development. The findings underscore the growing scholarly interest in sustainable practices, driven by global initiatives such as the UN’s 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement. This study contributes to the literature by offering qualitative insights and policy implications, highlighting the necessity for a holistic integration of green technologies to enhance the environmental and economic viability of agribusinesses.

Andrew Walls, the Pandemic, and the Reinterpretation of Christian Faith

The recent Covid pandemic may well be introducing historic changes to Christian faith that we cannot yet see. Looking back, we can see religious shifts that occurred in response to the influenza pandemic of 1918, including the rise of new forms of Christian community in Africa. Christian faith, Andrew Walls (1928–2021) saw, is not just something you receive; faith remakes you, and you remake it. Walls urged the Western theological academy to embrace the changes taking place as a result of the shift in the centre of Christian gravity. Going forward, we may be seeing the seeds of change from the pandemic in a more holistic Christian faith, one that emphasizes the evangel for all of creation.

Seeds of Change: Exploring Plant-based Livelihood Diversification for the Poultry Sector in India

Poultry farming is a cornerstone of India’s agricultural sector, providing livelihoods for millions. However, the industry faces disease outbreaks, birds' and humans' health welfare concerns, and environmental challenges. To formulate a sustainable resolution, this review explores livelihood diversification within the Indian poultry farming sector. It examines current practices, opportunities, and obstacles, providing insights into sustainable agricultural practices and rural development strategies. By studying socio-economic factors, emerging trends in agrarian entrepreneurship, and the impact of diversification on rural livelihoods, the paper offers comprehensive recommendations for policymakers, stakeholders, and practitioners. This review also employs a multidimensional approach, utilizing qualitative and quantitative research case studies to present a holistic understanding of diversification in the Indian poultry sector. It aims to foster resilience among poultry farmers through practical recommendations and policy implications, promoting sustainable development and diversified livelihoods.

The seeds of change: Antecedent variables and their impact in building grit and resilience through outdoor adventure education.

This study examines the impact of Outdoor Adventure Education (OAE) on developing grit and resilience in adolescents. Focusing on a United States-based sample collected in 2015, it explores how antecedent variables such as age and gender influence these outcomes, integrating the PERMA model of well-being to investigate underlying mechanisms. The research employed a cross-sectional design with 350 participants aged 14-18 from various OAE courses. Data collection involved pre/post surveys assessing grit and resilience as experiences through mastery, relatedness, and emotional reactivity. The study utilized established inventories for grit and the Resilience Scales for Children and Adolescents. Findings revealed significant grit, mastery, and relatedness increases following the OAE program. Participants demonstrated enhanced perseverance and passion toward goals, increased sense of mastery, and better relational dynamics. However, emotional reactivity scores remained largely unchanged. Notably, the impact of these programs varied based on participants' gender and socioeconomic status, indicating differential effects across demographic groups. The study suggests that OAE programs effectively foster grit and resilience in adolescents, with varying impacts based on demographic factors. It highlights the necessity for inclusive and adaptive program designs that cater to diverse participant needs. The results contribute valuable insights to the field of youth development, emphasizing the role of OAE in enhancing key psychological traits essential for adolescents' growth and adaptation.

Seeds of change: fostering nutritional education through school kitchen gardens

Dear Sir / Madam Eighty-two percent of adolescents are at risk of developing Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) due to physical inactivity and low fruit and vegetable intake Research has consistently shown that vegetable consumption in children is well below recommended amounts. According to a recent study in Karachi, consumption of discretionary food items such as food that is not necessary to fulfil the nutrient requirement and is consumed for enjoyment such as sugar-sweetened beverages was more than vegetable intake in school children. A key aspect of addressing the issue lies in promoting dietary diversification, which is to increase the type of foods consumed to ensure that children receive a wide range of nutrients essential for their growth and development. One effective strategy to promote dietary diversification and increase vegetable intake among school children is the establishment of a school kitchen garden. The concept of school kitchen gardens holds tremendous potential to improve health and well-being in school-going children. Interventions in this area have predominantly been used to influence school-aged children’s knowledge, attitudes, and/or behaviours toward diet and nutrition, particularly in connection to increasing vegetable consumption. School gardens serve as interactive and educational platform for children to learn about different types of vegetables, how they grow, and their nutritional benefits. Children actively engage in planting, tending, and harvesting the produce, which creates a sense of ownership and excitement about consuming what they have cultivated. A recent systematic review has shown promising effects in improving children’s knowledge of food, nutrition, gardening, and science. Acquisition of knowledge is the basis for behavioural. This is a holistic approach that not only educates but also serves to familiarize students with a variety of vegetables, making it more likely for them to include these vegetables in their dietary choices. In conclusion, school kitchen gardens offer an excellent, practical solution that integrates nutrition education into the extra curriculum while ensuring that students are actively consuming nutrient-rich vegetables. As a result, we can potentially witness healthier, more well-informed generations who understand the significance of dietary diversification. By increased exposure to a variety of vegetables through school kitchen gardens, children are not only learning about healthy eating but are also actively engaged in the cultivation and consumption of nutrient-rich produce. ---Continue

Seeds of Change: Negotiating Hierarchies in Seed Picturebook Stories

How tiny seeds are represented in children’s literature has long eluded critical attention, although they are frequently foregrounded in the words and images of children’s picturebooks. Drawing upon critical plant studies, new materialism, and Kathryn Parsley’s notion of “plant awareness disparity”, this article analyzes three contemporary seed picturebook stories, namely Jory John and Pete Oswald’s The Bad Seed (2017), Cristiana Valentini and Philip Giordano’s Stay, Little Seed (2020), and Jen Cullerton Johnson and Sonia Lynn Sadler’s Seeds Of Change: Planting a Path to Peace (2011). With a focus on the verbal and visual representations of seeds and their poetic relationship with children, the analysis of the three seed stories reveals the empowering nature of seed narratives which represent seeds as anthropomorphized characters or symbolic motifs, but most essentially, as agentic beings with vibrancy. These stories exhibit the poetic entanglement of seeds and children in an agentic assemblage of collective vulnerability, which not only blurs the line between the human and vegetal, but also negotiates power hierarchies embedded in the world ruled by adults. Thus, I argue that seed stories reveal the agentic power of seeds by crafting various forms of poetic entanglements between seeds and children. Although the child-seed entanglement may not entirely deconstruct an asymmetry between adults and innocent children as well as between matured plants and tiny seeds, this study offers an alternative perspective that counters the perception of seeds and children as vulnerable and controlled.

Seeds of Change: Assessing Wheat Knowledge and Socio-profile in Rural Areas of Kharar, Tehsil of Punjab, India

This study investigates the socio-profile status, agricultural practices, and knowledge acquisition among farmers in rural villages of the Punjab region, India. Employing a cross-sectional survey design, data was collected from farmers residing in five villages through structured questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. The demographic analysis revealed a balanced gender distribution, with a significant proportion falling within the 40-60 years age bracket, highlighting the maturity of the farming population. Educational attainment varied, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to enhance access to higher education and vocational training programs. Findings indicated a high prevalence of smartphone usage among farmers, presenting opportunities for leveraging digital technology in agricultural extension services. Family compositions leaned towards nuclear families, while landholding patterns showcased the varied socio-profile landscape within the farming community. Peer networks and institutional support emerged as significant sources of agricultural information, underscoring the importance of collaborative approaches in knowledge dissemination. A notable increase in knowledge was observed among farmers after video presentations on wheat varieties, highlighting the efficacy of multimedia approaches in agricultural education. The study aimed to assess the impact of a video presentation on wheat cultivation on farmers' knowledge. Data from 60 farmers showed significant improvements in various aspects of wheat cultivation knowledge, including identifying suitable wheat varieties, understanding sowing and harvesting timing, and recognizing common wheat diseases. The mean percentage increase in knowledge was 103%, indicating the effectiveness of the educational program. These findings underscore the importance of targeted educational initiatives in promoting sustainable agriculture and improving farmers' livelihoods. Continued support and education efforts are essential for sustaining and enhancing these positive outcomes. However, the preference for sowing previous year's seeds over newly released varieties indicates the persistence of traditional practices and the need for targeted interventions to promote varietal adoption. Overall, this study provides valuable insights for policymakers and development practitioners to design context-specific interventions aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity, promoting sustainable livelihoods, and ensuring food security for rural populations in the Punjab region and beyond.

Heterotopic diversity of coworking spaces: Providing adaptive capacity for cities

Heterotopias are other spaces that play a crucial role in the adaptive capacity of cities. They balance the city by hosting the abnormal, nurture alternative cultures and allow novel practices that act as seeds of change. In this paper, we study the life cycle and regenerative nature of heterotopias by analysing the expansion of 400 self-organising coworking spaces (CWSs) in Helsinki from 2010 to 2018. This brings a new understanding of how CWSs contribute to broader urban contexts. In examining the heterotopic character of CWSs, we found diversification of otherness relating to the spaces used and the variety of professionals working there. The cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis of the CWS network revealed alternating dynamics between specialisation and mixing, leading to diversification and different rhythms between the micro-level and the urban scale. We introduce a new concept of networking heterotopias and argue that both diversity and scalar dimensions should be examined when analysing change in and by them.

Green harvest: consumer attitudes as seeds of change towards a sustainable food revolution

The breakthrough of organic food plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change. This is based on several research findings stating that organic food can reduce the use of chemicals, improve soil conditions, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and support biodiversity. However, the high price constraint of organic food leads most people to prefer non-organic food daily. The focus of this research is to determine the level of consumer willingness to pay more (WTPM) for organic food by examining the role of knowledge of organic food (OFK), price consciousness (PC), and consumer attitudes (CA). The 300 respondents were collected from all islands in Indonesia, including Java, Bali, Kalimantan, Sumatra, Nusa Tenggara, Sulawesi, Bangka Belitung, and Papua. This study uses Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to test the research hypothesis. The research results indicate that OFK and PC directly and significantly influence CA. Furthermore, PC and CA also directly and significantly affect WTPM. Interestingly, OFK does not directly drive consumer WTPM. On the other hand, CA plays a significant mediating role between OFK and PC regarding WTPM. The implications of this research finding are that to increase the adoption of organic food as a climate change mitigation measure; efforts are needed to enhance consumers' knowledge and awareness of the benefits of organic food to form a more positive attitude towards the product. This, in turn, can improve their willingness to pay a slightly higher price to support organic food consumption in Indonesia.

The Seeds of Change

The Seeds of Change

Tertiary music students’ perspectives on activist-musicianship: Approaches, challenges, and perceived role of higher music education

While tertiary music programs traditionally focus on developing musicians’ craft, there is an increasing emphasis on the need to develop students’ ability to use their craft in socially engaged ways. This has led to an increase in community music, mobility programs, and performance outreach opportunities being embedded into tertiary music programs. There is also, however, potential for students to develop their craft more explicitly in service of social change through activist-musicianship, but little academic exploration into how this might be embedded into tertiary music programs. This article, through interviews and focus groups, investigates tertiary music students’ perspectives on music’s role in activism, their social values and aspirations, and perceived opportunities and challenges for musicians and tertiary music institutions. Music activism was seen to be possible through focusing on the musician as embodying the message or the music communicating the message, with repertoire choice and the degree of explicit messaging deemed important considerations regarding potential impact. Students highlighted a desire to plant seeds for change, to encourage audience members to become aware of and question unconscious biases and values, and to spark ongoing conversations. Within their programs, students expressed a desire for more autonomy in repertoire selection, for training on the inclusion of extra-musical features to support messaging, and for strong integration and alignment of academic and performance courses that could provide opportunities to practice activist-musicianship as part of their programs. Further to this, there are a range of ethical considerations educators need to be mindful of, which are outlined throughout this article. Insights shared highlight a need for further understanding of the activist-musician and how associated skill sets and opportunities might be embedded within existing tertiary music programs.

Seeds of change? Social practices of urban community seed sharing initiatives for just transitions to sustainability

ABSTRACT The sharing of seeds is a practice with ancient roots. However, the structures of global agri-food trade in late modernity have drastically reconfigured practices of exchange and reshaped matters of legal ownership, resulting in constrained access to seeds for many. Scholars and activists are increasingly concerned about the negative impacts these changes are having from a justice and sustainability perspective. To date, seed sharing research has predominantly occurred as one element of wider seed sovereignty debates, and particularly in relation to farmers in low- and middle-income countries. Seed sharing beyond these contexts has received limited attention. To broaden understanding of seed sharing and its diverse practices, this paper provides a foundational landscape level analysis of urban community seed sharing initiatives from 100 urban locations globally. It outlines the rules, tools, skills and understandings that shape seed sharing practices and teases out commonalities with, and differences between, these urban activities and those that currently dominate the landscape of seed sharing research. In conclusion, further research is proposed to build on these foundations and establish the contributions, actual and potential, that urban seed sharing provides for just transitions to more sustainable urban food systems.

Prevention of Psychiatric Illness in the Community: Seeds of Change

Despite the existence of established risk factors for psychiatric illnesses and a growing number of promising, risk-reducing interventions, the prevention of serious mental illnesses has not been a focus of psychiatric care. This may be, in part, because the majority of such preventive and early detection efforts may need to occur within the communities in which youth or adults who have a particular set of risk factors live, attend school, and work, because such people are often relatively asymptomatic and thus not seeking clinical services. Exciting new opportunities for school-based programs, scalable emerging technologies, “risk calculators,” and successful examples from other fields of medicine suggest that the quality of the evidence and available tools may soon be sufficient to generate widespread support for community-based approaches for preventing serious mental illnesses. [ Psychiatr Ann . 2021;51(6):255–260.]

Seeds of change: Establishing frameworks for understanding global environmental changes

Seeds of change: Establishing frameworks for understanding global environmental changes

Seeds of change? Seed transfer governance in British Columbia: insights from history

Tree seed transfer is critical to effective reforestation programs, and exploring its policy roots provides insights to understand future, and potentially controversial, actions like assisted migration. We offer a historical overview of seed transfer governance in British Columbia, Canada, by applying analytics from the policy change and knowledge co-production literatures. Based on document analysis and semi-structured interviews with key informants, we trace governance attributes to examine how and why policies have changed (or not) over time. We reveal a paradigmatic shift in seed transfer governance, culminating in a climate-based seed transfer system — informed largely by genetic knowledge — that emerged through a policy window opening. In contrast, governance processes remained relatively unchanged in practice, including the disproportionately influential role of the forest industry in policy-making. These insights shed light on the legacies of a government–industry policy coalition that influence underlying seed transfer objectives (i.e., forest productivity), and help to explain the ongoing dominance of particular knowledge forms used to inform policy. We highlight the need for increased contributions from a wider range of expertise, stakeholders, and rights holders in developing seed transfer policies for future forests.

Seeds of change

Abstract Intervocalic /s/ voicing is of much interest recently in Hispanic Linguistics for two principal reasons: this feature has been attested in diverse dialects of Spanish, and it has been shown to correlate in production and perception with social factors (Davidson 2014; Chappell 2016; García 2019; among others). One finding that often surfaces is that male speakers voice more than female speakers, and recent studies consider whether this may be due to physiological differences (File-Muriel, Brown, and Gradoville 2015; Chappell and García 2017). The present study examines the interaction of gender, age, and interspeaker variation in the voicing of intervocalic /s/ in the speech of 31 natives of Loja, Ecuador. While variationist studies overwhelmingly show women leading change in progress, I argue that young men are leading voicing in Lojano Spanish and that this study of a smaller, non-English speaking community further elucidates the intricacies of gender and linguistic change.

Social agency and ecoliteracy: Seeds of change for teacher education in uncertain climate futures

In this article, we discuss the importance of developing the skills of ecological citizenship for teachers and students. In particular we consider how we can support teaching practice to develop the skills of social agency and ecoliteracy. We argue that these skills are essential for building teacher and student capabilities to co-create regenerative futures on a warming planet. In this discussion we reflect on our experiences as educators and researchers invested in place-based education, sustainability, climate justice research, democracy, and citizenship education. We highlight some of the tools and approaches that we have used in supporting both preservice teachers, and children, to learn these skills of ecological citizenship.

Shaping Markets Through Temporal, Constructive, and Interactive Agency

In this introductory essay, we develop a theoretical framework of agency as a basis for strategic shaping and market transformation. We conceive of agency as both constrained and enabled by structure, and we build on sociological views that treat market structures as pairings of cultural schemas and material resources that are mutually sustaining. Structures contain the seeds for change because contradictions and conflicts that are inherent to structure inspire agents to imagine a new order and provide pathways to enact them. We theorize three connected forms of agency. Constructive agency captures agents’ ability to differently apply schemas to mobilize resources and improve their strategic positions. Temporal agency underlies agents’ autonomy and individuation, and enables agents to envision new possibilities. Interactive agency captures the collective nature of agency, where interactions among heterogeneous actors provide opportunities for agents to persuade others of their changing conceptions and learn new schemas, expanding agents’ repertoires for shaping opportunities.

Seeds of change

Mountain Ecology Dispersal of seeds is a vital process for static plants. High-altitude plant communities are especially vulnerable to the effects of changing climate, and it is important to understand how climate affects their dispersal. Tovar et al. investigated the seed dispersal strategies of plants living close to the summits of the tropical Andes. Wind-dispersed species were common throughout; plants with unspecialized, gravity-dispersed seeds were more frequent at sites with low minimum temperatures; and plants with animal-dispersed seeds were more frequent at sites with milder climates. As climate warms in the future, the spectrum of dispersal strategies and the composition of these plant communities may change accordingly. J. Ecol. 10.1111/1365-2745.13416 (2020).

Aggressive but loyal

Language powerfully impacts the construction of our gender identities. In the mid-twentieth century gender stereotypes were strong, but at the same time feminism was giving rise to new ideas and becoming increasingly mainstream. What gender-related discourse prosodies did children encounter in popular literature? Did these merely reinforce the conventional stereotypes or did they contain the seeds of change? This study of British children's fiction published in the 1940s-60s seeks to answer these questions through an analysis of personality descriptors collocated with female and male characters in eight books by four prolific children's writers. Although gender stereotypes (as represented by the Bem Sex-Role Inventory) are to some extent reinforced in these books, there are also considerable discrepancies. Children were meeting a range of positive models which did not always match ‘feminine' or ‘masculine' stereotypes.