Monocrops, genetically engineered organisms, pesticides, dumping, hunger; these ominous words haunt the conscience of the modern food critic and have become increasingly widespread with a renewed focus on local organic farming. In contrast to the menacing tones of conventional agriculture, the alternative agriculture movement offers its own lexicon of inviting adverbs: sustainable, local, environmental, organic, healthy, etc. However, the average age of the American farmer is 57. If family farms and the alternative agriculture movement are to continue, they need to attract young people to take on the physically demanding work of farming. Young, socially conscious, and driven apprentices offer some of the best possibility of continuing and growing these types of farms. How apprentices learn to farm directly informs their knowledge of agriculture and their desire to continue participating as farmers or food activists. My research, focused in the Puget Sound Region, asks whether or not apprenticeships provide participants with the skills and encouragement to continue their involvement in the movement. Over the last five months, I conducted ethnographic research in farms, conferences, and workshops. Additionally, I conducted eleven interviews with young farmers transitioning away from apprenticeships and four interviews with farmers who host apprentices. Each hour-long interview was either conducted in person or via phone. In some cases, I followed up with interviewees via email to clarify certain points. Participants were selected based on their involvement as apprentices on Western Washington farms smaller than 50 acres. To analyze data, I transcribed the interviews and coded participants’ motivations and experiences. The results have revealed how apprenticeships entail a complex political commitment that exists at the intersection of race, class, and gender. My presentation will explore the political nature of apprenticeships to help think about how they represent a new way to understand agricultural labor relations.

 REDD+ stands for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, plus enhancement of carbon stock and preservation of ecosystem services. The REDD+ program in Indonesia is designed to reduce emissions by aligning development and market incentives with environmental protection. REDD+ is one of the strategies that the Indonesian government is implementing to meet its CO₂ reduction targets presented by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Indonesia’s strategy for REDD+ is an ambitious attempt to involve many stakeholders in reducing CO₂ emissions from deforestation. Indonesia is currently working to implement REDD+ in accordance with the internationally recognized 3E criteria of effectiveness, efficiency and equity. This report, based on extensive interviews with stakeholders at all levels of REDD+ implementation, describes the current state of REDD+ implementation in Indonesia and makes policy recommendations for how the international community can best support Indonesia’s efforts to reduce its emissions from deforestation.

Warming temperatures and the declining extent of sea ice are encouraging economic development in the Russian Arctic. The Russian Federation’s implementation of a foreign policy which places priority on sustainable socio-economic development, and protection of indigenous peoples and environment, surprised many within the international community. The strengthening of the indigenous voice in Arctic governance is another significant recent transition. Indigenous peoples have gained the status of Permanent Participants in the Arctic Council, which is a high level intergovernmental forum for the Arctic region. My scholarly research aims to examine achievements by the indigenous peoples to ensure sustainable socio-economic development in the Russian Arctic. My work highlights ways in which indigenous peoples are utilizing customary international law and diplomacy to shape state policies. This research project uses four indigenous organizations as case studies to illustrate the evolving role of indigenous peoples in governance of the Russian Arctic. By examining the high degree of participation and political agency wielded by these non-traditional actors, it is clear that a paradigm shift in governance is taking place. This shift is one which marks the end of the strictly state-centric model of international relations towards a more cooperative and multi-lateral global political arrangement.