Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
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628 results(11 / 26)
We Will Not Perish; We Will Flourish
2019Ashanté M. Reese · University of North Carolina Press eBooks · United States
This chapter examines self-reliance as a framework for contemporary efforts to increase food access, featuring a community garden at a public housing community in the United States. It focuses on the methods gardeners used to build community, maintain the garden to meet food needs, and develop youth programs. The chapter also explores how this garden operated within a broader context of precarity, specifically addressing how gardening persisted despite displacement.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceWelfareFood educationOficina de horta comunitária do projeto DIST Shopping Park como aliada na geração de renda, segurança alimentar e educação ambiental para a comunidade
2019Lais Abreu Tedde, Geovana Rodrigues de Lima, Giovana Velloso Galante · Revista Em Extensão · Brazil (Uberlândia)
In Uberlândia, Brazil, the "DIST – Shopping Park" project established a community garden workshop aimed at providing income and social reintegration opportunities for at-risk individuals. A key activity was the installation of a mandala garden at the Maria Euvira Sabbag Municipal School. Through the garden's establishment and subsequent production, educational activities were conducted to connect early childhood education students with organic food production, enhancing their knowledge of farming and garden management.
CommunityFood educationWelfareEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceInterpreting the Ursinus Food Forest: Visualizing, Designing, and Realizing Signage at the Whittaker Environmental Research Station (WERS)
2019Sarah Becker · Digital Commons - Ursinus (Ursinus College) · United States
This project developed an interpretive signage protocol for the Ursinus Food Forest at the Whittaker Environmental Research Station (WERS), a two-acre agricultural field. The protocol includes a conceptual framework for the food forest, an inventory of signage topics and their placement, and design parameters for textual and visual clarity. Finished signage models accompany the protocol to illustrate these goals.
CommunityBiodiversityFood educationNOVO OLHAR DA PRODUÇÃO E DO CONSUMO DE ALIMENTOS: UMA EXPERIÊNCIA DE HORTA URBANA NO LAR DOS IDOSOS E SEGURANÇA ALIMENTAR (NEW LOOK AT FOOD PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION: AN URBAN HORTICULTURE EXPERIENCE AT THE MIDDLE EAST AND FOOD SAFETY)
2019Maria Lúcia da Silva Sodré, Ubirani Oliveira Santos, Altemar S. Dias · Revista GeoNordeste · Brazil
This study demonstrated the experience of vegetable production and consumption at an elderly home in Cruz das Almas, BA, Brazil. Field research, including semi-structured interviews, was conducted after the vegetable garden was built. The main results indicated that the produced food provided access to agrochemical-free consumption, ensuring food and nutritional security. It also portrayed the inmates' life histories, family memories, and recollections of past agricultural activities, leveraging their cultural background in the urban territory.
ElderlyFood educationHealthCommunityThe school garden: possibilities for working with literacy students of the 5th year of a public school in the municipality of Parintins - Am.
2019Cristiane Socorro Okamura de Farias, Edinelza Macedo Ribeiro · LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas) · Brazil
This study investigated the possibilities of working with literacy practices through a "School Garden Project" for 5th-year elementary students in a public school in Parintins, Am. A qualitative field study was conducted using participant observation and semi-structured interviews with the project monitor, one Portuguese language teacher, and four students from the observed class. The investigative path demonstrated that despite the challenges the institution still faces in developing possibilities for working with literacy in the "School Garden Project," this is an expectation that can become a reality if the school is willing to invest seriously in this proposal.
Food educationCommunityGrowing Citizens: Students’ Social Emotional Learning via School Gardens
2019Kathryn Markham-Petro · Scholarship@Western (Western University) · Canada
This qualitative study explored the social and emotional practices of primary grade students (kindergarten through grade five) in urban elementary schools in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, through gardening experiences. Data was collected from 14 educators across six schools. Findings indicated that gardening experiences benefited most students, especially those with diverse needs, and increased social and emotional skills related to collaboration and conflict resolution.
Food educationHealthCommunityFood Deserts, Libraries, and Urban Communities: What Is the Connection?
2019Tracey Overbey · Public Library Quarterly · United States (Cleveland, Ohio)
The Cleveland Public Library addressed food security issues in Cleveland, Ohio, by collaborating with local organizations like The Ohio State University Extension and the Cuyahoga County Land Bank. This paper describes how public libraries are changing their services in disadvantaged communities and provides a step-by-step approach to starting a community garden at a local public library or community property.
CommunityFood educationWelfareO Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar como promotor de ações de Educação Alimentar e Nutricional nas escolas do Brasil: DOI: 10.15343/0104-7809.20194302374389
2019Isabela Cicaroni Ottoni, Bruno Miguel Paz Mendes de Oliveira, Daniel Henrique Bandoni · LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas) · Brazil
This cross-sectional observational study, using 2010 data from 749 Brazilian municipalities, evaluated Food and Nutrition Education (FNE) actions within the National School Feeding Program (NSFP). Binary logistic regression showed that the presence of FNE in school curricula was the most significant predictor of running school gardens (OR=2.406), followed by using food from family farms (OR=2.049) and culinary workshops (OR=2.032). The study concluded that FNE in the school curriculum is positively associated with growing vegetable gardens.
Food educationPolicyCommunityFarm-to-school education grants reach low-income children and encourage them to learn about fruits and vegetables
2019Caroline Rains, Kristen Giombi, Anupama Joshi · Translational Behavioral Medicine · United States (Oregon)
Oregon's Farm to School Education Grant Program aimed to increase knowledge of and preference for fruits and vegetables among children in low-income school districts. The study analyzed Oregon Department of Education Farm to School Baseline and Progress Reports from school year 2015-2016 and conducted interviews with education grantees. Education grants reached over 20,000 students in 30 districts, including 25 low-income districts. Reported activities included nutrition and food-based lessons, school gardens, and farm field trips, leading to students eating fruits and vegetables, trying new foods because of gardens, and learning about growing produce.
Food educationWelfareHealthEden Gardens Farm: A Series of Lessons on Aquaponics
2019Ashley Pritchard · Maryland Shared Open Access Repository (USMAI Consortium) · United States
Eden Gardens Farm, a 120-acre farm of the nonprofit Glodev in Jacksonville, Florida, uses aquaponics and other sustainable agriculture to produce food for its community. Currently featuring two greenhouses, a garden, and an orchard, future plans include seven more greenhouses, a community garden, and a farmers market. This study aims to develop an educational curriculum assessing Eden Gardens' mission and priorities, focusing on environmental and outdoor education with aquaponics, to connect Jacksonville's youth with skills in science, sustainability, food production, and social values.
CommunityFood educationCSA & TeikeiHorta Comunitária: Novos Caminhos e Saberes
2019Valéria . Calipo, Tassiane Boreli Pinato, Sartori Aparecida Marcia, Zambone Maria Sabatine Alessandra, Santi Eduardo Santi Carlos · · Brazil (Diadema)
This work proposes the "Community Garden: New Paths and Knowledge" project, aiming to involve university students in paid internships and volunteer work at the Diadema Municipal Government and Methodist University of São Paulo. The project seeks to contribute to the socioeconomic development of the region and reduce vulnerable communities. Students from various courses will visit community gardens weekly, with some also participating in daily paid internships.
CommunityFood educationEconomicsClimate changeDevelopment of a Rooftop Collaborative Experimental Space through Experiential Learning Projects
2019Helen Mary Rose, Charles R. Upshaw, Joshua D. Rhodes, Yuval Edrey, Michael E. Webber · · United States (Austin)
This project describes the development of the Solar, Water, Energy, and Thermal Laboratory (SWEAT Lab), a rooftop experimental space at the University of Texas at Austin built by Cockrell School of Engineering students. The SWEAT Lab is an ongoing experiential learning facility that enables engineering education by deploying energy and water-related projects, and it contains a full weather station, a rainwater harvesting system, and a rooftop garden. The project provided students with opportunities to learn firsthand about unique engineering challenges, such as weight limitations and wind resistance, and gain experience working with building facilities management.
DIYFood educationThe experience of natural insecticide in the school garden as a contribution to the teaching of geography
2019Cristiane e Castro Feitosa Melo · LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas) · Brazil (Fortaleza)
This qualitative ethnographic case study in a public school in Fortaleza, Brazil, analyzed the contribution of producing and using natural insecticide in a school garden to geography learning for 8th-9th graders. The experiment focused on fighting leafy ants (Saúvas) and linked environmentalism, geography, and societal comparisons. The study concluded that this educational experiment enhanced training and human actions related to geography and environmental education.
Food educationCommunityEspacios socioculturales y mecanismos de comunicación para el aprendizaje y apropiación de conocimientos sobre el uso de plantas medicinales y gastronómicas en San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas
2019Cinthia Asunción Peralta-González, Rodolfo Mondragón-Ríos, Eduardo Bello Baltazar · Estudios Sociales Revista de Alimentación Contemporánea y Desarrollo Regional · Mexico (San Cristóbal de Las Casas)
This qualitative study analyzed sociocultural spaces and communication mechanisms used for collective learning and knowledge appropriation regarding medicinal and gastronomic plant use among residents of San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico. Ethnographic techniques were employed with members of the urban agriculture network Sembrando Jovel, citizens from the Santa Lucía neighborhood, and various city markets. Results identified formal, non-formal, and informal spaces linked by communication mechanisms such as intergenerational coexistence, daily practices, experimentation, knowledge exchange, classes, courses, workshops, diplomas, and mass media. The study was limited to a small number of families (four cases) in the Santa Lucía neighborhood regarding the domestic sphere. As a result of appropriation processes, knowledge about medicinal and gastronomic plant uses has been re-signified, adopting critical stances against food industries and in favor of personal, social, and cultural well-being.
CommunityFood educationHeirloom & landraceFormative Evaluation of a Food Access Enhanced Nutrition Education Program
2019Jared T. McGuirt · Carolina Digital Repository (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) · United States
This mixed-methods formative evaluation, part of a larger randomized trial in four US states, assessed an affordable Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program integrated into federal nutrition education. A survey of 262 low-income adults showed high interest (85%), with more interest if a CSA was included (84%). A choice experiment (n=42) indicated preferences for a large, mixed-variety CSA box, distributed twice monthly for under $15, and not significantly further than a supermarket.
CSA & TeikeiFood educationWelfareCommunityO Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar como promotor de ações de Educação Alimentar e Nutricional nas escolas do Brasil
2019Isabela Cicaroni Ottoni, Bruno Oliveira, Daniel Henrique Bandoni · O Mundo da Saúde · Brazil
This study evaluated the presence of Food and Nutrition Education (FNE) actions within Brazil's National School Feeding Program (NSFP) and identified predictors for running school gardens, using 2010 secondary data from 749 municipalities. Binary logistic regression showed that the presence of FNE in school curricula was the most significant predictor of running school gardens (OR=2.406). This was followed by the use of food from family farms (OR=2.049) and the carrying out of culinary workshops (OR=2.032). The presence of FNE in the school curriculum was positively associated with growing vegetable gardens.
Food educationCommunityPolicyInclusive Scholarship: Extension Program Participants as Poster Coauthors
2019Deanna L. Wilkinson, Jan B. Carroll · Journal of Extension · United States
This article discusses inclusive scholarship through the involvement of community partners and youth participants from an urban gardening program as coauthors and copresenters of a poster at a community engagement conference. Including these participants helped Extension professionals reach a wider audience, deepen relationships, empower youth, and improve data quality.
CommunityFood educationCarolina Campus Community Garden: Institutionalizing the Campus Community Garden as a Model for Sustainable Food and Gardening Education in the UNC Community
2019Anne Cabell, Veronica Conti, Trent E. Johnson, Shelly Yu, Chris Akiba · Carolina Digital Repository (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) · United States
The Carolina Campus Community Garden (CCCG) aims to improve access to fresh fruits and vegetables for UNC's lowest-paid employees and serve as a learning community for gardening education. Currently, CCCG lacks a permanent land plot and sufficient ongoing funding, necessitating institutionalization within UNC to secure a permanent location, sustained funding, and increased utilization. A Capstone student team conducted formative research, including a literature review, semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, focus groups with housekeepers, and surveys with students and administrators, to understand community needs and beliefs.
CommunityFood educationWelfarePolicyDigging Deeper: Photovoice and Youth Identity in the Garden
2019Samathryn Witham · Carolina Digital Repository (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) · United States
This Photovoice study, conducted over a 10-week youth summer program at an urban community garden, involved teenage photographers documenting their food experiences. The youth created a creative project and exhibit, using popular food media slogans to promote local food, defy stereotypes, and explore their identities as gardeners and media producers.
CommunityFood educationHealthPANC na sua mesa
2019Angela Almeida Almeida · Esferas · Brazil
This photographic essay originated from participation in free classes offered by the "Horta Comunitária Nutrir" Community Garden Laboratory in Brazil, where research on Non-Conventional Food Plants (PANC) is conducted. The author learned about the plants, executed recipes, and took photographs. The work is based on the belief that when art and science converge, they bring together multiplicity-diversity and nature-culture, contained within the interconnection of images and the plurality of life's spheres.
CommunityFood educationWaste separation and school garden as school transformation tools
2019Ana Paula Schmitz Rodrigues, Eunice Aita Isaia Kindel · LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas) · Brazil (Porto Alegre)
This qualitative study, conducted with elementary school students in a public school in Porto Alegre, Brazil, aimed to raise environmental awareness through direct engagement in creating a school garden and separating solid waste. Student statements were recorded and categorized to understand their perceptions of solid waste, nutrient cycling, and food. The findings indicated students' detachment from the environment and highlighted the need for more interdisciplinary and continuous environmental education practices in schools.
Food educationCommunityOrganic cycleFactors That Affect African-American Enrollment in Urban Agricultural Degree Programs in the Commonwealth of Virginia
2019Thomas Earl Tracy · ODU Digital Commons (Old Dominion University) · United States (Virginia)
This study investigated reasons for the low enrollment of African Americans in urban agriculture degree programs in Virginia, which contributes to few African Americans in leadership positions in the urban agriculture industry. Data were collected through surveys and interviews with agriculture students, non-agriculture students, and department chairpersons at Virginia State University and other colleges. The findings indicate a dearth of African Americans enrolled in these programs.
Equity & displacementPolicyFood educationComprehensive Farm-to-School: A Mixed-Methods Case Study of the Classroom, Cafeteria, and Community
2019Suzanna Elkin · ScholarWorks -A service of University of Vermont Libraries (University of Vermont) · United States
This dissertation presents a mixed-methods case study of a comprehensive Farm-to-School (FTS) program in a northern California school district. It comprises three papers, each exploring one of the "3-C" domains: classroom, cafeteria, and community. The first study qualitatively examines teacher involvement in FTS, the second uses mixed methods to research a new school lunch program, and the third examines the community aspect.
Food educationCommunityHealthEconomicsImplantação de horta comunitária em um campus universitário : inclusão social e qualidade de vida
2019Bianca Jacqueline Silva · · Brazil
This study describes a project for implementing a community garden at the Itabira campus of the Federal University of Itajubá. The project began with dialogue among campus workers and aims to foster greater involvement with the university community and local population. The garden is planned as a space for observation, cultivation, and leisure, potentially contributing to education and activities on ecology, environmental education, and integrated management of solid and organic waste, with positive impacts on the local environment and participants' health.
CommunityElderlyFood educationHealthUMass Carbon Farming Initiative Design Overview
2019Nikhil Villani, Jack Stambaugh · ScholarWorks@UMassAmherst (University of Massachusetts Amherst) · United States
The UMass Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) at the Agricultural Learning Center (ALC) involves Stockbridge School of Agriculture students and faculty researching and practicing regenerative food production. Initiated in Spring 2018, students designed and installed a chestnut-sheep silvopasture on a two-acre site. The first season involved starting a chestnut nursery, planting chestnuts, and rotationally grazing six sheep between rows.
Food educationCommunityOrganic cycleClimate change