'From a circle of introductions': adult learning and empowerment of women agricultural landowners

摘要

This study is about adult learning and empowerment in a challenging context. The data from this study comes from interviews with women non-operating landowners who attended a learning circle event designed to inform them about conservation opportunities on their land. The findings show there were several aspects of the learning circles that resonated with the women - the type of learning that occurred (hands on and visual), the networking (with other female landowners) and specific conservation information (cover crops). The findings also show how the structure of the learning circle allowed for a Community of Practice, and the resultant environmental and social impacts that occurred from such a community.