Breaking Down Boundaries: the Practice & Significance of Field Work

“Talk is nothing without walking the walk.” These are the words of one of Profugo’s past field fellows, said in a documentary on the organization as the camera pans out on the field fellow and a child in the village, walking hand in hand into the distance. The documentary ends there, and viewers are left feeling emotional but also inspired by the fellow’s words. What do these words mean not only for the people of

Read more ...

Adventures of a Field Fellow

October 24, 2017 Today officially marks the end of my first week in Prashanthagiri, and I’m just getting my feet wet in my role as Field Fellow — both metaphorically and literally. This morning I accompanied Gilgy on a partial field visit, stopping in at 11 of the 30 participating homes to check in on the progress of their provided seedlings and other produce plants for the Organic Kitchen Garden (OKG) initiative. The field visit

Read more ...

The Interrelatedness of Agriculture, Environment, and Human Health

So far, we have highlighted the importance of agriculture to both the economic life of a nation as well as to its culture.  In today’s blog we will be exploring the relationship between agriculture and environmental and human health.  Agricultural practices like intensive farming and the cultivation of mono-crops expose the environment to harmful chemicals which results in a depletion of natural resources and soil health as well as poses a threat to local wildlife

Read more ...

Agriculture: Much More than a Business Opportunity

In my previous entry we learned about the global economic contribution of agriculture.  Despite the significance of its contribution to the wealth of nations, agriculture-and the preservation of the trade-has much more to offer, especially to Indian society.  In many articles I’ve found online, both scholarly and less formal, agriculture has often been referred to as a way of life in India.  Authors Singh and Chetri emphasize that agriculture is much more than a business-it

Read more ...

The Multidimensionality of Agriculture: Agriculture and the Economy

To nations dominated by information and technology, agriculture might seem like a sign of moving backward.  But for many countries around the world, like India, agriculture remains a crucial part of its identity.  Spread out over a series of entries I will highlight the multidimensionality of agriculture, beginning with its impact on economics. Contrary to popular belief, agriculture has the potential to be innovative.  Sustainable agriculture-a topic we will revisit in my final entry of

Read more ...