What is photovoice?

Photovoice is a hands-on photographic research method that asks participants to take photographs that represent their individual perspectives and lived experiences. A unique way to document needs and promote dialogue, photovoice can illuminate barriers, highlight opportunities, and influence policy and resource decision-making in respectful and supportive ways. Photovoice can ultimately ignite public interest in important topics that are relevant within a community, using pictures and narratives as a creative way to document stories, struggles, and strengths.

A flyer for the Ag in the Basin Photovoice Project amongst other flyers on a brown bulletin board. Text on the flyer reads "The Ag in the Basin Photovoice Project. We all have a story to share. Ready to tell yours?"

An information session for the Ag in the Basin Photovoice Project. A half-dozen people sit in a u-shaped table formation facing a wall. On the wall sit 4 sheets of paper. A person is writing on one of the sheets of paper.

Welcome table for the Ag in the Basin Photovoice Project information session. One sign says, "Welcome!" the other says, "Please (1) sign in (2) help yourself to materials (3) grab some food!" A half-dozen stickers sit on the table along with a dozen pens, a stack of agendas, and a sign-in sheet.

A large, white piece of paper that was used during one of the Ag in the Basin Photovoice Project information sessions. The paper's heading reads, "What do you wish other people knew about what it is like to farm and ranch in the Klamath Basin?" Text is accompanied by a stick figure drawing of two genderless figures talking to each other.

Four plastic tables are arranged in a u-shape facing a black board wiht four papers sticking to it. The tables are lined with black table cloths and various colored packets with paperwork and point-and-shoot cameras inside them.

A close up image of a purple packet with paperwork, stickers, and a point-and-shoot camera inside. The packet says "Camera #12," and has a blank line fot the photographer to write their name on the packet.

About "Ag in the Basin"

In the Ag in the Basin Photovoice Project, participants were asked to capture images that best represent their experience with agriculture in the Klamath Basin. After four months of picture taking, participants were asked to select which images they want to share with the public, create titles, and write captions for their photographs. These images and stories are displayed in a traveling exhibit and the project’s digital gallery,

The project was coordinated by Hannah Whitley, a PhD Candidate at Pennsylvania State University, whose dissertation explores how non-governmental stakeholders are involved (or not involved) in water management decision-making in the Klamath Project.

The Ag in the Basin Photovoice Project is based upon work supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, through the NIFA Pre-doctoral Fellowship Program under subaward number 2021-09465 and is made possible with support from a Graduate Student Competitive Research Grant from Pennsylvania State University's College of Agricultural Science. Any opinion, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this exhibit are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, or Pennsylvania State University.

A PHOTOVOICE PROJECT BY KLAMATH BASIN FARMERS, RANCHERS, & THEIR FAMILIES

What is photovoice?

About "Ag in the Basin"

Website © 2023 by Hannah Whitley