Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
984 results(13 / 40)
Urban Farming model Pertanian Organik dengan Pimpinan Daerah Aisyiyah Sidoarjo
2023Muh Abror · Suluh Abdi · Indonesia (Sidoarjo)
A community service project in Sidoarjo, Indonesia, aimed to empower the Aisyiyah branch community through organic urban farming using polybags. The project provided training in organic plant cultivation and verticulture, and developed organic nutrient production from household waste to ensure fertilizer availability. The initiative successfully produced starter fertilizers, including biolactobacillus and Local Microorganisms (MOL).
DIYOrganic cycleCommunityEconomicsEl vermicompostaje una alternativa para potenciar la agricultura urbana
2023Medardo Wilfredo Blanco Villacorta · Revista de Investigación e Innovación Agropecuaria y de Recursos Naturales · Global
This review examined general aspects of vermicomposting to explore its use in treating organic solid waste and enhancing urban agriculture. It analyzed 99 papers published between 2000 and 2022, retrieved from Google Scholar. The review found that vermicomposting is a low-cost ecotechnological process where earthworms transform organic solid waste into vermicompost, making it suitable for recycling organic waste in cities and supporting urban agriculture sustainability.
CompostOrganic cycleSoil bacterial community composition and diversity respond to soil environment in rooftop agricultural system
2023Mengdi Dai, Xiangfeng Tan, Ziran Ye, Bojun Li, Yi Zhang, Xuting Chen, Dedong Kong · Environmental Technology & Innovation · Global
This study analyzed 15 soil samples from three sampling sites (original soil, after a seven-year natural cycle, and after a seven-year microcirculation system) to investigate soil properties, bacterial communities, and their relationships in a rooftop farm. The microcirculation system was shown to effectively improve the soil environment and bacterial community by increasing total nitrogen and total organic carbon contents by approximately 2 and 3.5 times, respectively.
Organic cycleBiodiversityClimate changeNurturing soil-adarities
2023Bethaney Turner · · Global
This chapter explored human-soil relations in urban home and community gardens through ethnographic fieldwork. While biodiverse soil offers direct health benefits, the presence of contaminated, toxic soils, prevalent in lower socio-economic neighborhoods, was shown to expose inequities in access to safe gardening sites and hinder the realization of potential therapeutic benefits. It argues that the therapeutic benefits of gardens are best realized when humans cultivate attentive relationships with myriad multispecies companions.
Contamination & food safetyCommunityHealthBiodiversityOrganic cycleWelfareProgram Penguatan Ketahanan Pangan, Pengelolaan Sampah, Air dan Sanitasi Guna Mewujudkan Kampung Iklim Kelurahan Tugurejo
2023Muhammad Abbi Fahrezy Sutikno, Dwi Rahmawati, Yonika Sindiana Prahmani, Amnan Haris, Tiara Dwi Wulandari, Desy Fitria Astutianingtyas · Jurnal Pemberdayaan Masyarakat · Indonesia (Semarang)
Tugurejo Village in Semarang City, Indonesia, faces disaster risks due to land use changes. A community service program was implemented to enhance the climate village program in this area. Through qualitative data collection and program formulation, four programs were successfully developed: urban farming, urban aquaculture, rainwater harvesting, and waste bank programs.
CommunityClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceOrganic cycleUrban Agriculture Overview of Sustainability Using GRA Methodology
2023· Building Materials and Engineering Structures · United States
This study examines the significance of seeds in defining sustainability within urban agriculture, which is viewed as an agricultural operation in a non-rural setting emphasizing communication, education, and farm goods. Using Gray-associated analysis, the study evaluated various crops, finding that spring beans received the highest rank and autumn beans the lowest.
CommunityEconomicsClimate changeOrganic cyclePlant growth and microbial responses from urban agriculture soils amended with excavated local sediments and municipal composts
2023Jordi Guimera Garcia, Natalie Bray, Yowhan Son, Aleah L. Butler-Jones, Sara Perl Egendorf, Jenny Kao‐Kniffin · Journal of Urban Ecology · United States (New York City)
In New York City, a study investigated plant growth (tomato, pepper, kale) in soils constructed from four municipal composts mixed with sediments from the NYC Clean Soil Bank, to assess the potential for safe urban agricultural soils. While Clean Soil Bank sediments enhanced plant growth when mixed with BRL compost, they also negatively impacted tomato aboveground biomass production by 29% in LES compost and tomato plant height by 18% in QBG compost, indicating variable effects depending on compost properties.
Contamination & food safetyCompostOrganic cycleHealthClimate changeIntegrating resource oriented sanitation technologies with urban agriculture in developing countries: measuring the governance capacity of Arba Minch City, Ethiopia
2023Abrham Kassa Ejigu, Kumelachew Yeshitela · Frontiers in Sustainable Cities · Ethiopia (Arba Minch City)
A study assessed Arba Minch City's governance capacity to integrate resource-oriented sanitation technology with urban agriculture. The findings indicated that the city's capacity is hindered by a lack of systematic monitoring, fragmented policy tools, and inadequate public sector participation. There is no single government body responsible for integration, and a behavioral gap exists among users in adapting to new technologies and recovered organic fertilizer.
Governance failurePolicyOrganic cycleClimate changeStrengths and Weaknesses of Non-chemical Weed Management Strategies in Small-scale Vegetable Production
2023Mahbuba Ferdous · Asian Journal of Advances in Agricultural Research · Australia (Armidale)
This case study investigated non-chemical weed management strategies in a small-scale vegetable garden in Armidale, Australia, through observation and an in-depth, unstructured interview with the garden's convener. Growers primarily used mechanical and cultural methods, including mulching, hand weeding, tillage, and grazing, to manage weed infestation. While mulching with wood chips and hand weeding were considered more effective in minimizing weed competition during critical crop development periods, they could not reach a satisfactory level. Further improvements by integrating several approaches simultaneously are needed for more effective and economical weed control.
Limited or null effectCommunityOrganic cycleDIYContribution of peri-urban land use and agriculture to entropy and food of mega-cities: On sustainability, planning by control theory and recycling of organics
2023Ernst‐August Nuppenau · PLoS ONE · Global
This article proposes an ecological economics orientation for peri-urban development, focusing on land use planning, local food, and entropy. Based on a mathematical model and control theory, it presents an operational concept to minimize negative externalities within a given population, aiming to assure space for urban agriculture and enable organic matter recycling. It notes that current unhealthy developments and market-oriented city expansions have limited the scope for peri-urban farming, advocating for regional planning based on organic matter recycling.
Peri-urban agriculturePolicyOrganic cycleClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceUrban soils. Principles and practice, by Andrew W. Rate (Editor)
2023Remigio Paradelo · Urban Agriculture & Regional Food Systems · Global
The book "Urban soils. Principles and practice," edited by Andrew W. Rate, provides abundant information on the properties and functioning of urban soils, covering topics such as their genesis, spatial variability, functions, contamination, and remediation techniques. The book also details general soil science concepts and serves as a potential textbook. It notes that urban soils exhibit higher spatial variability than naturally formed soils, driven by human decisions.
Organic cycleHealthEvaluación del desempeño productivo de la lechuga (Lechuga Batavia) fertilizada con diferentes cantidades de Lombicompostaje
2023Juliana Marcela Santos Calderón, Julián David Coral Sanabria, Olga Ximena Aguilar Galvis · Innovando En La U · Global
This study investigated the effect of different amounts of vermicompost (0%, 20%, and 40%) on Batavia lettuce cultivation. It found that 20% vermicompost accelerated germination on the first day (P0.05). By day 40, 20% vermicompost influenced plant height and leaf number, resulting in an average height of 5.44 cm and 7.2 leaves by day 46 (P<0.05). These findings suggest that 20% vermicompost is the most recommended amount for Batavia lettuce.
CompostDIYOrganic cycleFood sovereignty & justiceEco-enzyme and mushroom bag-logs waste stimulate production and nutrients content of celery microgreen (Apium graveolens L.)
2023Elisabet, Prima Wahyu Titisari · Jurnal Agronomi Indonesia (Indonesian Journal of Agronomy) · Indonesia
This study investigated the potential of eco-enzyme and oyster mushroom bag-log waste as growing media for celery microgreens, a model suitable for urban farming. Using a factorial design, researchers tested eco-enzyme dosages (0.5, 15, 25 mL L-1) and bag-log waste dosages (0.50, 100, 150 g/tray). Findings showed a significant interaction between the two factors, with the combination of 25 mL L-1 eco-enzyme and 150 g/tray bag-log waste yielding the best results across all measured parameters, including wet weight and nutrient levels.
Organic cycleDIYFood lossAnalisis Pengembangan Skula Kompos Berbasis Kegiatan Pemberdyaan Masyarakat (Studi Kasus : PT. Solusi Bangun Indonesia Tbk Pabrik Cilacap)
2023Oto Prasadi, Andika Prastya, Muhammad Fauzi, Budi Nurochman · Society Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat · Indonesia
The "compost school" (skula kompos) program, initiated in 2019 by PT Solusi Bangun Indonesia Tbk, Cilacap factory, focuses on educating communities about household organic waste management. This program, part of the Baruwani Program, aims to reduce waste, produce compost for urban farming, and support the use of waste as alternative fuel in cement production. The compost school serves as a platform for outreach and training in compost making.
CompostOrganic cycleCommunityFood educationTemperate food forest soil and dead organic matter carbon content relative to adjacent land
2023Lisa Mølgaard Hald, Luke John Schafer · Agrosystems Geosciences & Environment · United Kingdom (Dartington)
This study examined soil organic carbon (SOC) in a food forest, redwood forest, pasture, and agricultural field in Dartington, UK, at 0-20 cm and 20-40 cm depths. Similar total SOC was found across all four systems. However, food forest soil showed similar long-term carbon storage to redwood forest, while pasture and agricultural fields stored less.
Organic cycleClimate changeResearch on Evaluation Elements of Urban Agricultural Green Bases: A Causal Inference-Based Approach
2023Yuchong Long, Zhengwei Cao, Yan Mao, Xinran Liu, Yan Gao, Chuanzhi Zhou, Xin Zheng · Land · China (Shanghai)
This study constructed an evaluation system for urban agriculture green bases in Shanghai. Using a Bayesian network, intervention, and counterfactual inference, typical green bases in six agricultural districts of Shanghai were evaluated to analyze the correlation and importance of indicators. The results showed that while there are differences among bases in various indicators, they all reach a high overall level, and base construction, production, and ecological construction elements are the main factors affecting their level.
PolicyEconomicsOrganic cycleClimate changeFostering Sustainable Urban Farming in Malaysia: The Green Agenda of Urban Hijau
2023Cordelia Mason, Wan Mohd Hilmi Wan Ahmad · · Malaysia
This 2023 case study examines Urban Hijau, a social enterprise in Malaysia that promotes urban farming for sustainability. It describes Urban Hijau's origins and progression through various sustainable farming systems, including permaculture, and discusses the opportunities and challenges in urban farming and food security. The study concludes by posing questions about the significant contribution of small urban farms to the food industry and Urban Hijau's long-term sustainability.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceClimate changeOrganic cycleKonsep Permakultur Sebagai Metode Pengendalian Serangan Tikus pada Jagung Manis di Pertanian Perkotaan
2023Asti Irawanti Azis, Ratih Ratih, Dea Ekaputri Andraini · Perbal Jurnal Pertanian Berkelanjutan · Indonesia
This study investigated permaculture as a method for controlling rat attacks on sweet corn in urban farming. In monoculture sweet corn plantings, rat attacks began at 21 days after planting (DAP) and reached 53% by 49 DAP. In contrast, permaculture plantings showed no rat attacks (0%), indicating its potential to prevent pest damage.
Organic cycleBiodiversityFood sovereignty & justiceFood loss and waste in community-supported agriculture in the region of Leipzig, Germany
2023Janine Voge, Till Newiger-Dous, Emily Ehrlich, Ulrich Ermann, D. Ernst, Dagmar Haase, Isabel Lindemann, Rebecca Thoma, Emilia Wilhelm, Joerg A. Priess, Lukas Egli · International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability · Germany (Leipzig)
This study assessed food loss and waste (FLW) and yields for one year in four Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) initiatives in the Leipzig area, Germany, comparing them to reference data. Results showed that FLW during production, distribution, and consumption was on average 22–70% lower compared to reference data. Due to lower FLW, CSA initiatives could compensate for yield gaps of 32% on average, reflecting typical yield gaps between organic and conventional agriculture. Co-evaluation with CSA gardeners indicated that FLW could be further reduced at all stages.
CSA & TeikeiFood lossOrganic cycleEconomicsEntomofauna benéfica en la diversidad arbórea de la agricultura urbana en Pinar del Río, Cuba
2023Lisandra Hernández-Guanche, Yoerlandy Santana Baños, Yusniel Dago-Dueñas, Ramón Hernández Carballo, Armando Del Busto-Concepción · Revista Mexicana de Ciencias Agrícolas · Cuba
This study identified the beneficial entomofauna associated with arboreal species in urban agriculture settings in Pinar del Río, Cuba. Between September 2019 and March 2020, a floristic inventory of arboreal biodiversity was conducted, and samples of bioregulators were collected. Twenty-three arboreal species were inventoried, with 65% being fruit trees. The highest species richness was detected in the orders Diptera, Mesostigmata, Hymenoptera, and Araneae. The most frequent bioregulators were Condylostylus sp., Ocyptamus costatus, and Phytoseiulus sp., while the arboreal species with the highest proportion of associated arthropods were Persea americana, Citrus limon, Morinda citrifolia, and Psidium guajava.
BiodiversityPollinatorsOrganic cycleTecnologías, sensibilidades y naturaleza
2023Yenny Díaz Domke · Revista de la Academia · Chile (Santiago)
This study integrated approaches from critical pedagogy, art education, and Science, Technology, and Society (STS) perspectives through a community experience in an urban garden in San Bernardo, Chile, from 2021 to 2023. The initiative contributed to the action and reflection of agroecological values by exploring methodologies for awareness, aesthetic sensibility, and creative action regarding technical and biological relationships. The introduction of a solar distillation artifact made from recycled material opened critical perspectives on technological intervention and fostered a collective understanding that technical solutions can also be developed at a local scale.
CommunityFood educationDIYOrganic cyclePemberdayaan Masyarakat Melalui Kegiatan Urban farming dan Pengelolaan sampah di Kelurahan Gunung Samarinda Baru
2023Agung Prabowo, Muhammad Ikhsan Alif · PengabdianMu Jurnal Ilmiah Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat · Indonesia
In Gunung Samarinda Baru Village, Indonesia, a community service activity addressed limited green open space through urban farming and waste management. The initiative involved training and practical sessions on hydroponic vegetable cultivation and compost processing from household waste, following initial socialization. Monitoring results showed that the community utilized their green open space for hydroponic vegetable growing, evidenced by a first harvest, and engaged in compost processing.
CommunityDIYCompostOrganic cycleAQUAPONICS IN BRAZIL: REVIEW AND SURVEY ON WASTE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
2023Larissa Bizon, Marco Aurélio Soares de Castro · Revista AIDIS de Ingeniería y Ciencias Ambientales Investigación desarrollo y práctica · Brazil
This study aimed to address gaps regarding waste generated in aquaponics systems and their management practices in Brazil. A systematic review identified waste streams, and a survey of producers in 17 of Brazil's 27 federal units confirmed sludge, packaging waste, dead fish, and unusable plant fractions as typical waste streams. The survey indicated a lack of concern for in-depth assessment of these streams to improve management practices, which tended towards adequate and inadequate disposal.
Digital agricultureOrganic cycleFood sovereignty & justiceAn Effect on Sustainable Urban Ecological Environment Perception of Environment-friendly Urban Agricultural Education
2023Sun–A Jung · The Global Association of Applied Liberal Arts Studies · Global
This study investigated the effects of environment-friendly urban agricultural education. It found that participants mostly used chemicals for pest control, though some avoided them for safety and environmental reasons. Those who completed the education perceived a higher possibility of solving urban environmental problems and used less manure, with some producing their own.
Food educationOrganic cycleClimate changeAre Rainwater and Stormwater Part of the Urban CE Efficiency?
2023Carlos Novaes, Rui Cunha Marques · Sustainability · Global
This study points out the potential importance of urban stormwater in the circular economy (CE) when treated as a useful resource. Urban stormwater can replace part of the water supply from distant sources, reducing energy consumption and emissions. Urban agriculture can also benefit from using green infrastructures. The main gap lies in implementing an efficiency mentality and aligning policies, institutions, regulations, urban planning, and water cycle efficiency.
Climate changeOrganic cyclePolicy