Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Doctor of Education

Major

Educational Practice

Date of Defense

6-24-2025

Graduate Advisor

Theresa Coble

Committee

Keith Miller

Lisa Overholser

Abstract

The purpose of this co-authored, general qualitative research

study was to examine food relationships between individuals,

communities, and Earth. We explored the concept of relational food

systems pertaining to engagement ideas at EarthDance Organic Farm

School and Hawai’i Institute of Pacific Agriculture. Our research

furthers understanding about how to engage people, individually and

collectively, with the land to inspire action. We argue that care-based

relationships can inspire action, helping individuals reconnect with

their food heritage by engaging with land, community, and self.

Heritage site leaders in food systems who center interconnectedness

create places where relationships between people, land, and food are

more care-based, inviting all life, human and non-human, to flourish.

This dissertation first offers a journal article which elaborates on the

ways people might be inspired toward action within food heritage. We

crafted the Model of Inspired Action to Escape Disconnection, which

provides a foundation for engaging with hands, head, and heart within

the self, community, and land when trapped within a system of

disconnection. Secondly, the dissertation presents a creative nonfiction

chapter that utilizes a more poetic approach in describing the

intersection of self, community, and land. The dataset for this study

consists of interviews with 29 food system experts, including

Indigenous knowledge holders. Thematic analysis was used to

interpret interview transcripts and the qualitative results produced

three major themes: Barriers to reciprocal relationships exist when

trapped in a system, First-hand experiences of awe steward

relationships with self, community, and the Earth, and Inspiring action

for shared future generations begins with awareness, understanding,

and hope. Results showed that the U.S. food system is based on

exploitation and consumption, preventing reciprocal and respectful

relationships. Relationships are the bridge between being trapped in a

system and engaging in meaningful action. Diverse first-hand

experiences encourage perspective-taking of others, human and non-

human, and increases opportunities for awe, connection, and care.

These results corroborate previous research around relational food

systems and Ecologies of Care, while providing material for future

research such as an examination of how to bring awareness to the

Earth as an honorable harvest rather than an exploitable resource.

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