Consolidation, automation, and the reliance on low diversity monoculture cropping systems in food systems is contributing to the declining economic power of rural areas. Furthermore, economic opportunities in cities are driving urbanization and increasing disparities between rural and urban wealth. Often, these macroeconomic globalization trends are used by policymakers to divide communities that share common ideals. In this talk, I will highlight multiple collaborations with farmers and conservationists to bridge urban-rural divides in classroom and research activities. These collaborations provide an avenue for students, academics, and practitioners to build empathy and meaningful skills by working with communities unlike their own.
