Neva Hassanein - The Trail Less Traveled

Dr. Hassanein joins The Trail Less Traveled podcast to discuss her most recent research - developing the concept of “food democracy,” which is the idea that people can and should meaningfully participate in shaping the food system, rather than remain passive consumers on the sidelines. Her work has explored various issues, such as farmland loss, regional food economies, pesticides, the US organic program, and biotechnology. An engaged scholar, Neva is active beyond the academy, attempting to put research into practice at the local level. She and her students help strengthen Montana’s food system through community-based research projects and active partnerships. Neva served on the Missoula City-County Consolidated Planning Board for six years. She has also co-founded and served on the boards of several organizations. Neva is currently a business partner in Corner Farm Village LLC, which is doing a farmland conservation development project on the edge of Missoula. Neva enjoys gardening, sharing food with friends, hunting wild mushrooms, raising urban chickens, and exploring the natural world.