Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
2012 results(13 / 81)
Sustainability through innovation and creativity in educational landscape: A systematic literature review analysis
2025Mohammad Sultan Ahmad Ansari · Sustainable Futures · Global
A systematic literature review investigated how innovation and creativity support sustainability in an educational landscape. The review found that sustainability through innovation and creativity can foster societal changes and enable learners to address social and ecological issues. It also identified challenges in integrating multicultural society for achieving sustainability.
CommunityFood educationClimate changeCommunity Supported Agriculture and Food Waste in Curitiba, Paraná
2025Dailey Fischer, Roberta Romano, Mariana Monteiro Kugler Batista, Mario Prokopiuk, Valério Alécio Turnes, Carlos Alberto Cioce Sampaio · Ambiente & sociedade · Brazil (Curitiba)
An exploratory survey (N=401, n=144) was conducted to assess food waste patterns among consumers involved in Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) initiatives in the Central Urban Core of Curitiba, Brazil. The results showed that participation in CSAs does not significantly influence consumer behavior regarding food waste. This indicates a need for sustainable consumption education and context-specific solutions.
Limited or null effectCSA & TeikeiFood lossFood educationEconomicsCultivating Bonds: On Urban Allotment Gardens and Their Relationship with Social Capital
2025Noelia Fernández-Salido, Alfonso Gallego‐Valadés, Carlos Serra-Castells, Jorge Garcés Ferrer · Agriculture · Spain (Valencia)
This qualitative study in Valencia, Spain, explored the role of urban allotment gardens in producing social capital. Fifteen in-depth interviews were conducted with key informants involved in urban garden projects. Findings indicate that urban gardens act as relational infrastructures, fostering intergenerational learning and inclusive participation. However, exclusionary attitudes and fragmented governance were found to limit their potential.
CommunityPolicyFood educationEducação Estético-Ambiental à luz do Paradigma da Complexidade
2025Dayane Barbosa de Oliveira, Adelmo Fernandes de Araújo, Iara Terra de Oliveira · Ambiente & Educação · Brazil
This qualitative, exploratory study in Brazil investigated high school students' perceptions and meanings of a school garden through an aesthetic-environmental education experience. Data was collected from written experience reports by full-time high school students. The analysis revealed fragmented perceptions and meanings, indicating the school garden's potential as a relevant resource for educational development and fostering integration between students and their environment.
Food educationCommunityPengenalan Urban Farming di Kelompok Petani Wanita KUBE Barokah Jaya, Kabupaten Malang
2025Dodi Wirawan Irawanto, Adi Setiawan, Noorsy Zidna Nabiela · RESONA Jurnal Ilmiah Pengabdian Masyarakat · Indonesia
This community service activity in a village in Malang Regency, Indonesia, aimed to enhance the community's financial planning and digital marketing skills, and to provide understanding and experience in urban farming methods. Using lectures, training, and mentoring, the activity successfully improved participants' abilities in urban farming cultivation.
Food educationCommunityEconomicsDIYTypology of food aid in Australia
2025Rebecca Lindberg, Stephanie Godrich · · Australia
This chapter proposes a typology of Australian food charity, describing seven types of food aid provision in Australia. The typology includes large warehousing foodbanks, community food charity, emergency and disaster responses, networks, social enterprises, community gardens and farms, and school food charity programmes. These food assistance agencies play a vital role in Australia's food space and are involved in addressing hunger and food insecurity.
WelfareCommunityFood educationHUERTOS ESCOLARES: APRENDIZAJES, VÍNCULOS Y SIGNIFICADOS
2025Nancy Domínguez González, Fernando Naranjo Chacón, A Solé, Miguel Ángel Escalona Aguilar, A. Medina · Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems · Mexico (Xalapa)
A descriptive study was conducted at Federal Secondary School No. 4 David Alfaro Siqueiros in Xalapa, Mexico, to evaluate the impact of a school garden on student learning, bonds, and intrinsic purposes. A qualitative Likert scale survey was applied to 80 actively participating students before and after the garden's implementation and related workshops. The intervention process failed to generate statistically significant changes in students' learning about school garden aspects (plant growth, planting, care, harvesting, processing), in the bonds developed through teamwork, or in the meaning they attributed to working in the school garden.
Food educationHealthCommunityStrategi Integratif Manajemen Kurikulum, Keterlibatan Masyarakat, dan Pembiayaan Berkelanjutan dalam Peningkatan Mutu Pendidikan Dasar
2025Mila Ulfiah Milenia, M. Mustaqhfirin Amin, Muslim Cahaya Indra · Jurnal Pendidikan Indonesia · Indonesia (Jawa Barat and Bali)
A qualitative multi-site study across five elementary schools in West Java and Bali investigated an integrative model to improve the quality of basic education. The integration of contextual curricula increased learning motivation by 28%, and community participation through the "Parents' School" program reduced dropout rates by 15%. Additionally, self-financing from urban farming contributed 22% of the operational budget.
Food educationCommunityEconomicsExploration and Practice of Collaborative Talent Cultivation Model for Urban Horticulture under the Background of Smart Agriculture
2025Zhen Peng, Yuerong Gao, Ziyan Liu, Liusheng Duan · Journal of Contemporary Educational Research · China (Beijing)
This paper discusses the development of urban horticulture under smart agriculture and the application of AI technology, analyzing the importance of skilled talents and their cultivation pathways. It proposes measures like multi-level practical teaching platforms and the "1234" applied talent training model. Practical cases from Beijing University of Agriculture are analyzed, showing the effects of an industry-education-research collaborative talent training model for urban horticulture.
Food educationDigital agricultureHorticultural Therapy: A Sustainable and Inclusive Approach to Supporting Older People in Brazil
2025Jacqueline de Almeida Barbosa Franco, Quintino Augusto Có de Seabra, Bruno Humberto da Silva, Adriano Alves Teixeira, Rosane Aparecida Gomes Battistelle, Bárbara Stolte Bezerra · Anthropology & Aging · Brazil (São Paulo)
This report examines an inclusive community vegetable garden project at Vila Vicentina, a long-term care facility in Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil, initiated through participatory action research. The project created a space for older adults to engage in leisure and horticultural activities. Findings suggest the initiative contributed to improvements in physical engagement, social interaction, and overall well-being among older adults.
CommunityHealthElderlyFood educationAn Inventory of Vascular Plants in the Elementary School Garden on Okinoerabujima Island.
2025基博 川西, 143997, Motohiro Kawanishi · Kagoshima University Repository · Japan (Okinoerabujima Island)
A survey of flora in seven elementary school gardens on Okinoerabujima Island, Japan, clarified the distribution of vascular plants and compiled a list for educational use. The survey identified a total of 480 species, comprising 211 native, 100 exotic, and 157 cultivated plants. The school gardens were characterized by a large number of native species, including rare and endangered herbaceous plants, indicating their high potential for nature education.
Food educationBiodiversityAnálisis de los factores limitantes en la producción de hortalizas: Un estudio del organopónico Pueblo Griffo Viejo en Cienfuegos
2025Odeimy Sarría-Crespo, Mayelin López-Roque, Wilfredo Sis-Sánchez · Revista Metropolitana de Ciencias Aplicadas · Cuba (Cienfuegos)
A ten-month non-experimental study at the "Pueblo Griffo Viejo" organic farm in Cienfuegos, Cuba, identified limiting factors in vegetable production through surveys, field observations, and documentary review. The research found low yields due to poor substrate quality, inadequate water management, limited organic matter, and insufficient training participation. Additionally, the workforce's low educational level hindered efficient agricultural practices.
Governance failureCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceFood educationPelatihan Urban Farming Hidroponik di Kecamatan Tembok Dukuh Surabaya
2025Theresa Widya Artika, Efendi Surahman · UNITY Journal of Community Service · Indonesia (Surabaya)
This three-week community service program in Tembok Dukuh District, Surabaya, aimed to enhance local residents' knowledge and skills in hydroponic urban farming. Participants, primarily women from the Family Welfare Movement (PKK), received training in hydroponic concepts, simple installation construction, and vegetable planting and maintenance techniques. The program resulted in a significant improvement in participants' understanding of hydroponic systems and their ability to apply these techniques at home.
Food educationCommunityEconomicsDIYEffects of Classroom Bio-Wall–Based Educational and Experiential Programs on Elementary Students’ Plant Familiarity, Ecological Literacy, and Sociality
2025Woo Young Kim, Seung-Won Ha, Sung-Min Jung, Jae-Soon Kim, Hyeong-Seok Lee, Y. Barry Chung, Han-Na Chu · · Global
A study implemented a bio-wall program over five sessions with second- and fourth-grade students, analyzing pre- and post-tests with paired t-tests. It found significant increases in plant familiarity (1% level) and ecological literacy (5% level) for both grades, but no significant difference in social skills for fourth-grade students. The bio-wall also improved classroom air quality by reducing particulate matter and increasing humidity.
Food educationBiodiversityEdukasi Urban Farming Bagi Ibu Rumah Tangga Rt 02/Rw10 Desa Cisempur, Jatinangor, Sumedang
2025Santi Rukminita Anggraeni, Ayyas Ziya Ul Hakim, Abdullah Asyam, Qurnia Wulan Sari, Neng Tanty Sofiana · JURNAL KREATIVITAS PENGABDIAN KEPADA MASYARAKAT (PKM) · Indonesia (Jatinangor)
A community service program provided urban farming education and practical training in planting vegetables in polybags to 18 housewives in Cisempur Village, Jatinangor, Indonesia, from November to December 2024. Evaluation showed that 66.7% of participants found the program very useful for obtaining fresh vegetables without a yard, and 80% expressed interest in applying the knowledge. While the program increased knowledge and experience for personal fresh food supply, it had not yet provided tangible economic impact.
Food educationCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceSystemic impacts of sustainability education: A case study of New York Sun Works
2025Alex Kudryavtsev, Manuela Vega‐Zamora, Megan Nordgrén · The Journal of Environmental Education · United States (New York City)
This participatory, grounded case study examined New York Sun Works (NYSW), a nonprofit providing hydroponics labs and sustainability curricula to hundreds of public schools in New York City. Data from interviews with the executive director and nine teachers, and classroom observations, revealed a framework showing how school-nonprofit partnerships for sustainability education catalyze systemic impacts in educational transformation, sustainability solutions, and civil society. The findings suggest that nonprofit-facilitated, school-based sustainability education can advance significant educational, environmental, and societal transformations.
Food educationCommunityClimate changeMovimentos insurgentes no educar para as relações étnico-raciais no ensino de ciências e biologia
2025Joaklebio Alves da Silva, Luciana Ferrari Espíndola Cabral, Tatiana Galieta · Cadernos CIMEAC · Global
This text examines Education for Ethnic-Racial Relations (EERR) in Science and Biology teaching, focusing on teacher training and pedagogical practices in Basic Education. It reflects on EERR inclusion in Biological Sciences undergraduate courses, teacher motivations for EERR continuing education, and EERR proposals developed with "School Garden" and "Black Women Doing Science" extension projects at a federal technical school. The text emphasizes EERR's importance in initial training, continuing education, and promoting racial literacy for students.
Food educationCommunityPemberdayaan Warga IOM Melalui Urban Farming: Solusi Budidaya Hidroponik dan Jamur di Daerah Pengungsian Sawotratap, Sidoarjo
2025Mochammad Kharis Adreansyah Putra, Seftia Aulia Putri, Diva Raissa Anindya, Rhenald Thio Arifin, Mita Rahmawati, Ricky Alejandro Martin · Bhumiputra Jurnal Penelitian dan Pengabdian Masyarakat Global · Indonesia (Sidoarjo)
In Sawotratap Village, Sidoarjo Regency, Indonesia, a community service program was implemented to empower residents through urban farming, aiming to utilize limited land and increase food independence. Hydroponics and mushroom cultivation were developed as innovative solutions, with socialization and education provided to residents on the benefits, materials, and steps for simple hydroponic installations.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceFood educationOptimalisasi Lahan Terbatas melalui Mini Garden Urban Farming sebagai Upaya Ketahanan Pangan di Kelurahan Kepatihan Wetan Kota Surakarta
2025Aviciena Nailil Muna, Rizkika Amalinda, Yohannes Rahadi Nugroho, Fauzan Octa Baihaqi, Fina Rizqiyah, Deshinta Putri Anggraeny, Anindita Wasistiyana Hartono, Ardy Tri Handika Saputra, Ath Thaariq Rizqy Amrullah, Audry Boy Zhindy, Mikael Dimas Mahardika, Singgih Hendarto · Inovasi Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat · Indonesia (Surakarta)
A community service activity was implemented in Kelurahan Kepatihan Wetan, Surakarta City, Indonesia, to optimize limited land through a mini garden urban farming system. The activity successfully planted various vegetables in 100 polybags, achieving over 90% growth success. It resulted in increased knowledge and skills among residents in utilizing limited land and boosted community participation in urban agriculture, positively impacting household food self-sufficiency and family consumption cost savings.
DIYFood educationCommunityFood sovereignty & justicePlanting futures: School-based food forests and their contribution to holistic education for sustainable development
2025Julia Gobs · GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society · Germany
This study investigated the school-based food forest project at Chestnut School in Northern Germany, using interviews and participatory methods framed by the Whole School Approach. School-based food forests contribute to holistic education for sustainable development by offering interdisciplinary, hands-on learning environments. They promote systemic thinking, agency, and self-efficacy, fostering human-nature connections, critical thinking, and sustainable food practices.
Food educationBiodiversityCommunityClimate changeGasteizko eskola-baratzeen ezarpenaren eta erabilera didaktikoaren analisia
2025Iratz Pou de Los Mozos, Igone Palacios-Agúndez, Daniel Zuazagoitia, Unai Coronel Gastiain · IKASTORRATZA e-journal on Didactics · Spain
This field research analyzed the presence and didactic use of school gardens in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, using a two-phase questionnaire approach. The study found a large presence and high didactic use of school gardens, with many interesting experiences, but noted room for improvement. Teacher training and networking among schools were recommended.
Food educationCommunityBenefits of Nutrition Education in Local Community Supported Agriculture Sites: A Case Study
2025Bree Bode, Sarah L. Mott, Jacob M. Cutler, Nicole Jess, Sarah Panken, Marci Scott · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · United States (Michigan)
Nutrition education was provided to SNAP-eligible shoppers at Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) sites in Michigan. This multi-phase, mixed-methods study evaluated the delivery of nutrition education, shopper needs, and behavioral outcomes through outcome surveys, staff feedback, educator activity logs, and focus groups with shoppers and educators. Results indicated significantly higher fruit and vegetable consumption among shoppers compared to national SNAP incentive participants, and qualitative themes included relating over transacting and personalized experiential education.
CSA & TeikeiFood educationWelfareHealthCommunity Readiness for Agro Living Lab (ALL) Projects: Factors Influencing Engagement of Young Urban Residents
2025Wojciech Sroka, Karol Król, Jakub Kulesza, Marcin Stanuch, Sławomir Lisek · Agriculture · Poland (Kraków)
This study analyzed factors influencing young urban residents' readiness to participate in agro living lab (ALL) projects in Kraków, Poland. Based on a literature review and a survey among university students, it found that readiness to engage in ALL projects is strongly associated with respondents’ field of study, interests, individual experiences, positive attitudes toward urban agriculture, and personal relationships with farmers.
CommunityFood educationFood sovereignty & justiceUrban Farming-Based Learning: A Community Engagement Model for Agricultural Vocational Schools
2025Ika Ayu Putri Septyani, Lutfi Fadilah Zamzami, Novi Fitriandika Sari · SPEKTA (Jurnal Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat Teknologi dan Aplikasi) · Indonesia
An urban farming-based community engagement program was implemented for students at the Vocational School of Agriculture Labuhanbatu (SMK Negeri 2 Rantauprapat) in Indonesia. This participatory action research aimed to improve students' knowledge and practical skills in aquaponics, hydroponics, and integrated urban farming systems. Through training and collaborative activities, students' knowledge levels surged from pre-test benchmarks to over 70%, exceeding 90% in some areas, and over 80% expressed strong interest in curriculum integration and entrepreneurship.
Food educationCommunityDIYCommuniversity Synergised Academic Activities towards Sustainable “Green” for Urban Poverty Eradication and Social Well-Being
2025Rohaiza Rokis · International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science · Malaysia
This qualitative study in Kampung Kerdas, Malaysia, investigated a community-synergised academic activities programme initiated by AHAS KIRKHS at the International Islamic University Malaysia, integrating a Sociology and Anthropology course with the Kampung Kerdas community's needs. Through narrative analysis, in-depth interviews, and participatory observation, the project was shown to promote environmental sustainability, economic empowerment, and social cohesion among community members via community-driven initiatives and educational workshops. It also provided practical training for SOCA students and academics, creating a sustainable model for urban poverty eradication and holistic community development.
CommunityWelfareEconomicsFood education