Daniel Tobin is a rural sociologist who is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Community Development and Applied Economics at UVM. Theoretically interested in the political economy of agricultural development, his research focuses on how smallholder farmers respond to external influences like market forces, policy mechanisms, and environmental changes. With particular interest in the seed systems of smallholders and their conservation of landrace varieties, Tobin has projects in Peru, Mexico, Vermont, and Uganda.
In the classroom, Tobin also focuses on topics of rural and agricultural development, teaching large introductory lecture courses as well as a travel course to Peru in which students contribute to ongoing research on smallholders while partnering with a local NGO.
