The Food Systems Research Institute (FSRI) is pleased to announce the recipients of the inaugural Good Idea Grants. These grants support UVM researchers to conduct interdisciplinary and stakeholder-responsive research that will tackle complex questions about our food systems.  

The five teams will receive $25,000 each to explore and solidify their research concepts and build collaborative programs. This will provide them an opportunity to grow their idea and attract external funding or recognition.  

Growing Collective Readiness in Vermont through Community-driven Activation of the Disaster Food Security Framework 

PI: Dr. Ike Leslie, Extension Assistant Professor of Community Development 

This Participatory Action Research project will assemble and facilitate a group of Vermont grassroots community leaders to adapt and active a localized framework for addressing inequitable responses to food security during times of crisis. As climate disasters are increasing in frequency and severity in Vermont, this project fuels meaningful partnerships that fulfill UVM’s land-grant mission while laying the foundation for future organizing that bridges community and institutional approaches to food security readiness across the New England region. 

Team:  Dr. Ike Leslie, CALS; Dr. Teresa Mares, CAS and CALS; Dr. Gianni Solórzano Rincón, Postdoctoral Associate, UVM; Alexis Yamashita, PhD student in Food Systems 

Using a Sport-For-Health Model to Address Disordered Eating in High School 

PI: Dr. Lizzy Pope, Associate Professor in Nutrition and Food Sciences 

This three-phase project will identify what high school athletes and coaches know about eating disorders/disordered eating, create resources for coaches to address nutrition with their athletes in a weight-inclusive way, and pilot test the coach resources to determine ease of implementation and athlete reactions. This project aims to decrease the development of disordered eating in young people and help them connect with the food system in a positive way. 

Team: Dr. Lizzy Pope, CALS; Dr. Bernice Garnett, CESS; Dr . Deb Hinchey, MPH, Ed.D., CNHS; Kesley Rose, MPH, RD, CALS; Dr. Jordan Levinson, postdoctoral associate; Janet Gamble, PhD student in food systems and FSRI PhD Fellow 

Goat Meat Wahala: The Sociocultural Implications of Plant-Based Diets Among African Immigrants 

PI: Dr. Emily Belarmino, Assistant Professor in Nutrition and Food Sciences 

This case study will employ a multi-theoretical approach, integrating acculturation and cultural identity theories with the theory of intersectionality to examine how African immigrants navigate and negotiate their cultural identity and expectations around food amidst increasing social pressure in the U.S. to limit meat intake and consume plant-based diets. Findings will help illuminate opportunities to enhance inclusivity in ongoing discussions about how best to support population-level shifts to more plant-based diets. 

Team:  Dr. Emily Belarmino, CALS; Dr. Teresa Mares, CAS and CALS; Dr. Pablo Bose, CAS; Saadatu Abdul-Rahaman, PhD Student in Food Systems and FSRI PhD Fellow 

Community-Based Perennial-dominant Urban Agroecosystems for Sustainable and Resilient Development 

PI: Dr. Joshua Farley, Professor in Community Development & Applied Economics and Public Administration 

This project will promote a scaling out of urban agriculture similar to Wartime Victory Gardens with an emphasis on perennial polycropping, to mitigate and adapt to climate change, restore local ecosystems, improve diets, enhance food system resilience, and provide food for the food insecure. It will identify the factors that encourage homeowners to convert their lawns; design landscape scale; research which public communications strategies best promote their adoption; work with social justice/food security organizations to ensure food is distribute to those who need it most; work with government officials to develop politics promoting urban agroecology; and measure the ecological and economics benefits it provides. 

Team: Dr. Josh Farley, CALS; Dr. Salim Uddin, RSENR; Dr. Fortino Acosta, CALS; Dr. Anaka Aiyar, CALS; Dr. David Conner, CALS; Dr. Travis Reynolds, CALS; Dr. Yolanda Chen, CALS; Dr. Eric Bishop von Wettberg, CALS; Dr. Vic Izzo, CALS; Dr. Matt Burke, CALS; Dr. Kate Mays, CALS; Dr. Ben Dangl, CALS; Myles David Jewell, CALS; Dr. Sam Bliss, RSENR; Dr. Dan Erickson, RSENR;  Dr. Josh Taylor, Postdoctoral associate, CALS; Dr. Danny Garand, Mc Gill University; Cheryl Diersch, Step Out Vermont;  Julia Cavicchi, Rich Earth Institute 

Developing Novel Birdsfoot Trefoil Varieties for Forage Production in Vermont 

PI: Dr. Emma Tracy, Researcher, Agriculture, Landscape, and Environment 

This project will evaluate germplasm of Birdsfoot Trefoil (BFT) for its suitability in Vermont agriculture. While BFT was historically significant in the forage systems for much of the 20th century it has since disappeared from production. The project aims establish a multidisciplinary team for future Birdsfoot Trefoil research at UVM and evaluate varieties for their nutritional value and impact on soil health. 

Team: Dr. Emma Tracy, CALS; Dr. Eric Bishop von Wettberg, CALS; Patrick Ewing, USDA-ARS; Matt MacIntosh, USDA-ARS; Dr. Jana Kraft, CALS 

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About the FSRI: 

The Food Systems Research Institute (FSRI) at the University of Vermont (UVM) funds people and planet-centered collaborative research that connects disciplines and communities to answer complex food systems questions.