Garland Mason

M.S. in Agricultural, Leadership, & Community Education, Virginia Tech, 2016    

B.S. in Animal Science, Cornell University, 2010

My research interests center on the intersection of power, knowledge, race, and nonformal education. I am particularly interested epistemological politics surrounding land grant universities and their efforts in agricultural and community development. My previous research explored participatory methodologies and the micro-politics of stakeholder participation.

I previously worked in the areas of food equity and beginning farmer education in Vermont and served for two years with the Peace Corps in Nepal working on projects related to food security and community development.

Program Coordinator & Co-Director, AgrAbility Virginia

Associate, Center for Food Systems and Community Transformation

Extension Publications
Kyle, C., Niewolny, K., Ohanehi, D., Ballin, K., Young, J., Bridge, S., Robertson, T., Mason, G. (2021). A Resource Guide for Start-up Military Veteran Farmers (VCE Publication No. AEE-152NP (ALCE-277NP)). Blacksburg, VA: Virginia Cooperative Extension. Retrieved from https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/AEE/AEE-152/ALCE-277.pdf

Kyle, C., Niewolny, K., Orndoff, N., Ohanehi, D., Ballin, K., Young, J., Bridge, S., Roberts, T., Mason, G. (2021). The Basics of On-Farm Safety: An Introductory Guide by the AgrAbility Virginia Program (VCE Publication No. AEE-151NP (ALCE-276NP)). Blacksburg, VA: Cooperative Extension. Retrieved from https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/AEE/AEE-151/ALCE-276.pdf  

Kyle, C., Niewolny, K., Orndoff, N., Ohanehi, D., Ballin, K., Young, J., Bridge, S., Roberts, T., Mason, G. (2021). Mental Health Topics for Farm Families and Caregivers: An AgrAbility Virginia Program Resource (VCE Publication No. AEE-150NP (ALCE-275NP)). Blacksburg, VA: Virginia Cooperative Extension. Retrieved from https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/AEE/AEE-150/ALCE-275.pdf

Mason, G., Van Peppen, Z., Niewolny, K. (2021). Assistive Technologies to Improve Safety & Accessibility on Small Scale Diversified Vegetable Farms & Home Gardens (VCE Publication No. ALCE-269NP). Blacksburg, VA: Virginia Cooperative Extension. Retrieved from https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/ALCE/alce-269/ALCE-269.pdf

Nilsson, M., Mason G., Niewolny, K. (2021). Assistive Technologies for Upper Extremity Mobility on the Farm (VCE Publication No. ALCE-260NP). Blacksburg, VA: Virginia Cooperative Extension. Retrieved from https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/ALCE/alce-260/ALCE-260.pdf

Ruller, R., Stinson, J., Mason G., Niewolny, K. (2021). Assistive Technologies to Support Farmers with Low Vision or Blindness (VCE Publication No. ALCE-259NP). Blacksburg, VA: Virginia Cooperative Extension. Retrieved from https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/ALCE/ALCE-259/ALCE-259.pdf

Beshada, L., Dianis, M., Mason G., Niewolny, K. (2021). Assistive Technologies for Lower Extremity Mobility on the Farm (VCE Publication No. ALCE-258NP). Blacksburg, VA: Virginia Cooperative Extension. Retrieved from https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/ALCE/ALCE-258/ALCE-258.pdf

Mason G., Niewolny, K. (2021). AgrAbility Virginia Program Evaluation Brief: 2021 Survey & Interview Results (VCE Publication No. ALCE-255NP). Blacksburg, VA: Virginia Cooperative Extension. Retrieved from https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/ALCE/ALCE-255/ALCE-255.pdf

Mason, G., Niewolny, K. (2020). The Farm Safety, Health & Wellness Toolkit (VCE Publication No. ALCE-233NP). Blacksburg, VA: Virginia Cooperative Extension. Retrieved from https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/ALCE/alce-233/ALCE-233.pdf

Morgan, K., Nunoo, N., Mason, G., Niewolny, K. (2020). Farmer Financial Health and Wellbeing Assessment: A Tool for Fostering Supportive Financial Conversations (VCE Publication No. ALCE-226NP). Blacksburg, VA: Virginia Cooperative Extension. Retrieved from https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/ALCE/alce-226/ALCE-226.pdf

Nunoo, N., Mason, G., Niewolny, K., Morgan, K. (2020). Best Practices to Managing Farm Financial Health and Wellbeing (VCE Publication No. ALCE-222). Blacksburg, VA: Virginia Cooperative Extension. Retrieved from https://ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/ALCE/alce-222/ALCE-222.pdf

Nunoo, N., Mason, G., Niewolny, K., Morgan, K. (2020). Managing Farm Financial Stress for a Healthy Farm and a Healthy Farm Family (VCE Publication No. ALCE-220NP (ALCE- 249NP)). Blacksburg, VA: Virginia Cooperative Extension. Retrieved from https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/ALCE/alce-220/ALCE-249.pdf

Mason, G., Niewolny, K. (2020). Farm Stress and Grief in the Time of COVID-19: Strategies and Resources (VCE Publication No. ALCE-202). Blacksburg, VA: Virginia Cooperative Extension. Retrieved from https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/ALCE/alce-202/ALCE-202.pdf

Mason, G., Niewolny, K. (2020). Lawn Care Safety for the Whole Family During COVID-19 (VCE Publication No. ALCE-193NP). Blacksburg, VA: Virginia Cooperative Extension. Retrieved from https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/ALCE/alce- 193/ALCE-193.pdf

Wyker, J., Adducci, H., Coffey, H., Samuels, L.A., Mason, G., Niewolny, K. (2020). Farm Safety, Health, and Wellness Resource: Mental Health Case Studies, The Family Vegetable Farm in Roanoke, Virginia (VCE Publication No. ALCE-192NP). Blacksburg, VA: Virginia Cooperative Extension. Retrieved from https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/ALCE/alce-192/ALCE-192.pdf  

Samuels, L.A., Coffey, H., Adducci, H., Wyker, J., Mason, G., Niewolny, K. (2020). Farm Safety, Health, and Wellness Resource: Mental Health Case Studies, The Montel Family: An Intergenerational Farm (VCE Publication No. ALCE-191NP). Blacksburg, VA: Virginia Cooperative Extension. Retrieved from https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/ALCE/alce-191/ALCE-191.pdf

Samuels, L.A., Adducci, H., Coffey, H., Wyker, J., Mason, G., Niewolny, K. (2020). Farm Safety, Health, and Wellness Resource: Mental Health Case Studies, The Johnson's Broiler Farm (VCE Publication No. ALCE-190NP). Blacksburg, VA: Virginia Cooperative Extension. Retrieved from https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/ALCE/alce-190/ALCE-190.pdf

Adducci, H., Coffey, H., Samuels, L.A., Wyker, J., Mason, G., Niewolny, K. (2020). Farm Safety, Health, and Wellness Resource: Mental Health Case Studies, Financial Strain on Dairy Farmers: The Cooper Family Story (VCE Publication No. ALCE-189). Blacksburg, VA: Virginia Cooperative Extension. Retrieved from https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/ALCE/alce-189/ALCE-189.pdf  

Coffey, H., Adducci, H., Samuels, L.A., Wyker, J., Mason, G., Niewolny, K. (2020). Farm Safety, Health, and Wellness Resource: Mental Health Case Studies, The Dunlap’s Beef Cattle: The Impact of Intergenerational Farm Transfer (VCE Publication No. ALCE-188NP). Blacksburg, VA: Virginia Cooperative Extension. Retrieved from https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/ALCE/alce-188/ALCE-188.pdf

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Refereed Journal Articles and Other Publications

Mason, G., Niewolny, K. (2021). Participation and empowerment as emancipatory praxis: An ethnographic study of an NGO in Chiapas, Mexico. Development in Practice. https://doi.org/10.1080/09614524.2021.1937527

Morikawa, A., Ligrani, R., Mason, G., Erwin, A. (2021). Chapter 11: Tracy Kunkler. In Stephenson, M. (Ed.) Conversations in Community Change (pp. 172-189). Blacksburg: Virginia Tech Publishing. https://doi.org/10.21061/conversations

Mason, G. (2020). [Review of the book On Decoloniality: Concepts, Analytics, Praxis by W. D. Mignolo & C. E. Walsh]. Spectra, 7(2). http://doi.org/10.21061/spectra.v7i2.149

Mason, G. (2019). Institutional inclusion and the question of epistemic abundance in the neoliberal academy: A critical analysis. [Refereed essay for RE: Reflections & Explorations of the Virginia Tech Institute for Policy and Governance]. Retrieved from https://ipg.vt.edu/DirectorsCorner/re--reflections-and-explorations/Reflections082919.html  

Niewolny, K., Schroeder-Moreno, M. S., Mason, G., McWhirt, A., & Clark, S. (2017). Participatory praxis for community food security education. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 7(4), 105-128. https://foodsystemsjournal.org/index.php/fsj/article/view/547/528