Project Title: Urban Foodways: Mapping the Networks of Gardeners, Farmers, Foragers, and Fishers
Project Description: Join our exciting and hands-on project in Baltimore City, where we explore food self-provisioning (FSP) activities that connect diverse community agents and practices. From backyard gardeners and youth educators to on-shore fishing spots and pop-up markets, our research maps these vibrant networks, referred to as Alternative Urban Food Provisioning Networks (AUFPNs). As a student, you'll contribute to this dynamic project, engaging in activities that highlight communal harvests, mutual food aid deliveries, and more.
The project has 3 major components: grower interviews, fisher interviews, and data management.
❖ Grower interviews are 2 hour, on-site interviews of growers in Baltimore City. They include extensive interviewing, mapping, plant identification, and soil sample collection.
❖ Fisher interviews are spontaneous 20 minute interviews done at major fishing spots across Baltimore City. These interviews are shorter but are more compact, doing multiple interviews in 2-3 hour blocks.
❖ Data management includes scanning and digitizing all documents, recording information in master spreadsheets, and cleaning up interview transcripts. These tasks are self-paced but ranging from 1-3 hours at a time.
A key aspect of this research is connecting with communities of color and immigrants to the US. This research is a mix of agriculture, anthropology, food system, and food security work.
Keywords: Farmers, Growers, Fishers, Interviews, Data Entry, Fieldwork
Required Skills: We are looking for candidates who are self-motivated, detail-oriented, and able to follow directions. Ideal candidates should also be good team players and capable of working independently. An interest in data entry and a willingness to work in-person on weekends, engage in outdoor activities, and perform hands-on tasks is essential.
The selected student researcher will receive comprehensive training on interviewing, mapping, soil sampling, and data management.
The hired applicant will always be accompanied with another team member in Baltimore City. Ideally 3-4 members per outing. Grower and fisher interviews must be completed during the day, ideally 9a-5p. The project team works together to identify times on both weekdays and weekends to schedule interviews. Individual work is reserved for remote data management tasks, which can be completed at self-paced deadlines, with an emphasis of that work to be completed in the winter (November onward).
Preferences:
● We are looking for an individual who is available on weekends and some weekdays in September and October to do in-person fieldwork in Baltimore City for interviewing, and can transition to virtual data management work in the winter.
● Any past experience with community outreach, communities of color, or immigrants to the US would be ideal.
● Applicants who live in Baltimore City are also desirable.
● Priority will be given to applicants who are fluent in Spanish.
● Priority will be given to applicants who have access to reliable transportation to sites across Baltimore City.
Best Consideration Date: September 15th, 2025
Compensation: Funding is available for one paid hourly position, for a candidate who meets the required skills and most of the preferences, up to 8 hours per week. Additional positions are available for UMD College Park students as independent study or internship credits. Volunteers are welcome.
To apply, please complete the linked form, and upload your resume and cover letter at LINK (https://forms.gle/