Graduation Year

2026

Document Type

Campus Only Senior Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Politics and International Relations

Reader 1

Nancy Neiman

Reader 2

Thomas Kim

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Rights Information

2026 Julia A Victor

Abstract

Farmers' markets create unique spaces for exchange where customers invest in local products, neighbors share conversation, and farmers swap advice with each other. They create an alternative space to our conventional food system by directly linking producers and consumers. Social value analysis has centered on customers, while analysis of farmers’ participation has emphasized economic value. Bridging these analyses fills a gap in understanding to highlight the sociopolitical value of farmers' markets for farmers. The social capital of the relationships formed by farmers at markets could transform into political capacity. However, regional differences demonstrate the factors that catalyze or limit this potential. Understanding the origin of farmers' markets in political resistance highlights their capacity to become politically powerful spaces that allow farmers to subvert neoliberalized agriculture.

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