Sociology of Agriculture and Food (SAFRIG) Research and Interest Group Exploring the social dimensions of food systems and agricultural change
What We’re About
The Sociology of Agriculture and Food Research Interest Group (SAFRIG) brings together scholars whose work examines the social, cultural, political, economic, and environmental aspects of food and agriculture. We are committed to understanding the structural forces and human actions that shape food systems—from production and distribution to consumption and policy—both domestically and globally.
SAFRIG members study a wide range of topics including food justice, farm labor, land use, agrarian change, rural livelihoods, environmental sustainability, food insecurity, and the role of power and inequality in shaping agricultural and food systems. The RIG welcomes diverse theoretical perspectives and research methodologies, emphasizing both critical inquiry and applied scholarship that informs practice and policy.
Annual Dues:
Regular Members – $15
Student Members – $5
Get Involved:
Attend our sessions and networking events at the RSS Annual Meeting
Participate in planning discussions or propose new activities
Contact our leadership team to get connected
What We Do and How to Get Involved
SAFRIG provides a collaborative space for researchers, educators, practitioners, and students interested in the sociology of food and agriculture. We:
Organize paper sessions, panels, and roundtables at the RSS Annual Meeting on a wide array of food and agriculture topics.
Foster networking and mentorship opportunities among scholars across career stages and disciplines.
Support community-engaged research, international collaboration, and cross-sector dialogue related to food systems and rural transformation.
Encourage critical reflection on the relationships between agriculture, sustainability, equity, and rural development.
To get involved, select SAFRIG when renewing or initiating your RSS membership. Attend our annual sessions and business meeting, propose presentations or collaborative initiatives, and connect with others working at the intersections of food, farming, and rural society. Everyone with an interest in sociological approaches to food and agriculture is welcome.
Leadership:
📰 News and Announcements
📚 Selected Publications and Resources
Explore work from our members and resources on rural sociology:
- Perceptions and Experiences of Gender Transformative Approaches in Rural Honduras
- The Landscape of Farmer Mental Health Programs in the US Midwest
- An overview of agricultural neonicotinoid regulation in the EU, Canada, and the United States
- Webinar: Feminist Approaches to Development Interventions in Agriculture (co-organized with International Development RIG)
- Farmers’ Social Capital in Agricultural Decision Making
- The end of direct farm payments and rural poverty in the American Midwest | Agriculture and Human Values