My research attempts to identify strategies to obtain a more sustainable and equitable food production process within the United States. Building upon research of the interconnectedness: gender, language, climate change, and technology share in U.S. agricultural production. A game theory based qualitative analysis is performed on in-person interviews conducted with female farmers living in rural Dunn County, Wisconsin. An analysis of the language used by seven farmers and five control subjects within the theoretical framework of game theory allows for comprehensive examination of the systematic oppression in the U.S. food-system, as well as the potential for self-enforcing strategies to be used to overcome barriers for women in a rural farm setting. Women farmers participated in qualitative interviews following a flexible format designed to gather their perceptions of reputation, time-space, and barriers faced by small-scale organic food producers. Control interviews with participants arbitrary in relation to agricultural production have been gathered with a monitored survey. A similar interview instrument, however precise questions about agricultural technologies and practices were removed.  Cross analyzing these interviews shows the varying beliefs of individuals within the U.S. In-person interviews and control surveys, that have been recorded, transcribed, coded, and analyzed for themes, indicate the potential existence of a zero-determinant strategy with which equity and sustainability are achievable. Preliminary results outline: information-systems, benevolent authority, technology, and climate change as compounding variables implicated within this strategy. Participant responses outline the disproportionate representation of intersectional feminine identity and suggest the creation of local education-systems funded through a tax as well as the reformation of federal laws and regulations to adequately support specialty crop producers. 

Sustainability, feminism, farming, game theory, cognitive linguistics, information-system

Non-Cooperative Greens 

Dane A. Neville

College of Arts & Humanities: Applied Social Sciences, University of Wisconsin Stout,

Menomonie Wisconsin 712 Broadway St S, Menomonie, WI 5475