Embedded Files
Research in collaboration with the International Potato Center (CIP) and New York Botanical Garden (NYBG)
In the summer of 2025, I led a research project in the Peruvian Andes in collaboration with CIP and the Traditional Mixtures Lab at the NYBG, studying how small-scale farmers use potato mixture cropping to support livelihoods and nutrition. I interviewed 25 farmers and 3 key informants in three rural communities, and navigated various challenges like limited availability and building trust with participants. This work strengthened my skills in community-engaged research, cross-cultural communication, and field-based data collection.
This research is important because it documents and shares Indigenous knowledge about sustainable farming practices, highlighting how agroecological methods can strengthen food security, support dietary diversity, and enhance resilience in the face of climate change. By understanding these practices, we can inform policies and interventions that support small-scale farmers and promote more sustainable, equitable food systems globally. I plan to utilize this research in my MPH Thesis in Spring 2026 through quantitative and qualitative analysis of the data.
Deliverables
What is 'Chaqru' Infographic
This is a general infographic developed during my time with CIP to help general audiences understand what 'Chaqru' is -- the ancestral practice of mixing different varieties of crops (like potatoes, quinoa, and other native crops) in the same field. In this deliverable, I gained experience in utilizing information learned in the field about mixture crop practices into an easy-to-understand guide, emphasizing the benefits and importance of the practice as well.
Beneficios del chaqru (1).pdfMixture Project Interview, Survey, Photovoice, and Focus Group Guide
I developed guides for key informant interviews, farmer surveys, and photovoice (including individual interviews and focus groups) to understand the importance of mixture cropping for farmers in communities I visited. Due to limited time, only key informant interviews and farmer surveys were utilized in the field. Through this process, I gained experience in developing various types of research instruments and navigating the IRB approval process.
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