• Agroecology: System Change versus Stand Alone Interventions
    By Francesca Gugino The 58 synthesis articles examined in my research utilize agroecology at different levels of input, ranging from low to moderate to high. This encompasses farms that implement one or two agroecology practices to farms that have undergone entire system changes, the most notable entire system changes being Organic Agriculture, Integrated Soil Fertility…
  • The Final Stretch
    Today marks the last day I am enrolled as a MSc CCAFS student at NUIG, which is bitter sweet. I am grateful for the knowledge gained and time spent growing into a strong and more adaptable person, but in some ways I feel like myself and my fellow course mates missed out on some key…
  • Acknowledgements
    By Francesca Gugino In the autumn of 2019, I was studying abroad in Limerick, Ireland, writing my undergraduate honors thesis on two Irish literary works: Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt and Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha by Roddy Doyle. It was exciting to be living in the city McCourt recalls in his memoir, spending countless…
  • Research Findings
    The 58 articles from the systematic review led to a series of varying results for agroecological yield data and agroecological return on investment data. Due to differences in reporting some data was difficult to compare, while other factors such as region, crop type and type of agroecological practice also played significant roles in varying results.…
  • The Future of Aquaculture- Regenerative Ocean Farming
    By Francesca Gugino In the light of new documentaries, such as Seaspiracy, the public has been able to see the problems with commercial fishing and aquaculture in their current forms. Both have their own set of environmental consequences that contribute to biodiversity loss, pollution, and environmental degradation. Gear from commercial fishing and toxic waters in…