An exciting presentation by Dr. Kirit Patel on Thursday February 25th at 6:30 pm in St. John's College, Cross Commons room, that I hope will renew your interest and give a new life to S.A.A.M. Please mark this date on your calendar and make sure to come and bring a friend! S.A.A.M. needs you! We shall have a short discussion of the interest of the scholarly community for the continued existence of S.A.A.M., and consider future activities. Then shall listen to our speaker and open discussion.

Dr. Kirit Patel's talk will be entitled:

Who Shoulders the Burden of Conserving Agricultural Biodiversity? Challenging Environmental and Development Orthodoxies.

Dr Kirit Patel is an Assistant Professor, International Development Studies at Menno Simons College, affiliated with the Canadian Mennonite University and University of Winnipeg. Dr Patel has a diverse range of research experience through his work as an academic, development practitioner and policy analyst. He will share findings from his long term research in India focused on how indigenous communities manage their crop genetic resources under a neoliberal policy environment. This policy context hastens change in the biophysical properties of farms, brings about fundamental shifts in sociocultural practices and livelihood options, facilitates the penetration of market forces, and promotes the allocation of private property rights over natural resources.

Because no dues were collected this year, and we need to pay for the pizza and drinks, we shall ask everybody to pay $5.00. Thank you.