Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
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Critical findings
1626 results(14 / 66)
The Skarù·ręʔ (Tuscarora) Food Forest Project—Reconciliation in Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education through Cross-Cultural Agroforestry Demonstration
2023Samantha Bosco, Bradley G. Thomas · Ethnobiology Letters · United States
The Skarù·ręʔ (Tuscarora) Food Forest Project is a community-based initiative in ancestral Haudenosaunee territories (New York State) demonstrating the contemporary contributions of temperate nut trees to Indigenous food systems. This project aims to address social justice concerns in agricultural science by providing a methodological testing ground for reconciliation-based and decolonial participatory action research. It expands ongoing food sovereignty, community health, and education initiatives, highlighting nuts as important, yet lesser-known, woodland foods.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceBiodiversityClimate changeCooking up changes: the act of cooking as a tool for facing the challenges of the Anthropocene
2023Gabriela Rigote, Alessandra Xavier Bueno, Marco Akerman · Saúde e Sociedade · Brazil (São Paulo)
This study analyzed the everyday elements of cooking and its relationship with the food system, based on the experiences of seven female urban farmers in eastern São Paulo, Brazil. Using body-map storytelling, visual and oral data were collected on the meanings of cooking. The findings indicate that cooking connects the field to the table, strengthens urban and peri-urban farming practices, and promotes health and sustainability.
CommunityHealthEconomicsPolicyFirst Report of a Rust Fungus (Puccinia sp.) Infecting Lemongrass in Minnesota
2023Nicholas Greatens, Nick Klejeski, Les J. Szabo, Yue Jin, Pablo D. Olivera · Plant Disease · United States (Minnesota)
In July 2021 and July-October 2022, rust disease was observed on all 20 lemongrass plants in a community garden near Mankato, Minnesota, USA, causing 5-50% leaf loss. Molecular analysis of the rust fungus identified it as Puccinia cesatii or a closely related species. Although P. cesatii has been reported on Cymbopogon species, lemongrass is not generally considered a host, indicating an unusual infection.
Limited or null effectCommunityHealthCo-producing urban and peri-urban agriculture in Andean countries
2023Jaime Hernández-Garc'a, Tannya Pico Parra · Edward Elgar Publishing eBooks · South America
This chapter explores Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture (UPA) in Bogotá, Quito, and Lima, three Andean cities, through a transdisciplinary lens. It discusses UPA as a multifunctional nature-based solution for climate change, food scarcity, and inequalities. The chapter examines the potentials and challenges of transdisciplinary projects in these cities, focusing on collaborative culture, conflicting rationalities, socio-ecological transformations, and critical translocalism, and highlights the contribution of diverse knowledge systems, including indigenous local knowledge.
Peri-urban agricultureClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceCommunityPEOPLE’S REASONS NOT TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY GARDENS IN DISADVANTAGED NEIGHBORHOODS OF ROANOKE, VIRGINIA
2023Sinan Kordon, Patrick Miller · ArtGRID - Journal of Architecture Engineering and Fine Arts · United States (Roanoke)
A survey in five disadvantaged neighborhoods of Roanoke, Virginia, identified primary reasons for non-participation in community gardening. Using descriptive statistics, T-test, and factor analysis, the study found that "theft and damage," "difficult access," "too much effort," and "no personal interest" were the main deterrents. These findings highlight specific barriers to public involvement in community garden projects.
Limited or null effectCommunityPolicyEconomicsHealthUrbanidade e agricultura urbana: estudo de caso sobre uma horta comunitária
2023Bezamat de Souza Neto, Anderson Luiz Duarte · OBSERVATÓRIO DE LA ECONOMÍA LATINOAMERICANA · Brazil (São João del-Rei)
This article aims to examine the intervention potential of urban agriculture in the physical and symbolic construction of city space. It is based on the premise that urban community gardens constitute an educommunicative ecosystem that, through collective cooperation, promotes transformations in urban space. To this end, theoretical discussions on urbanity, especially in a postmodern context, and urban agriculture are compared with the specificities of the Vida Verde community garden, located in the Senhor dos Montes neighborhood on the periphery of São João del-Rei (MG).
CommunityFood educationPolicyDIAGNÓSTICO E ANÁLISE DAS POLÍTICAS PÚBLICAS DE FOMENTO À AGRICULTURA URBANA E À PRODUÇÃO AGROECOLÓGICA E ORGÂNICA EM BELO HORIZONTE E REGIÃO METROPOLITANA
2023Alexandre Túlio Amaral Nascimento, Tais Silva Lomba, Elvira Peruhype de Aguilar, Ana Flávia Ribeiro Evangelista, Henrique Lua Santos Ferreira · REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE AGROECOLOGIA · Brazil (Belo Horizonte)
This study investigated how agroecological urban agriculture production in Belo Horizonte and its metropolitan region utilizes available legal instruments and public policies. The research involved a literature review, identification and contact with local institutions, and an electronic questionnaire that received 34 responses. Findings highlighted the vitality of associations, the importance of national policies (PNAE, PRONAF) and territorial strategies (SPG, CSA), and the relevance of local instruments like Trilha da Agroecologia and Rede Sisal.
PolicyCommunityCSA & TeikeiFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsPracticing ecological citizenship through community supported agriculture: Opportunities, challenges, and social justice concerns
2023Manoj Misra · Culture Agriculture Food and Environment · Canada
A qualitative study of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) participants in the greater Edmonton region of Canada examined how this local food initiative promotes ecological citizenship. The study concluded that discursive and structural limitations prevent the Edmonton CSA community from achieving meaningful diversity and addressing social justice concerns within its realm.
Equity & displacementCSA & TeikeiCommunityFood sovereignty & justicePolicyWell Pump Enclosure Upgrade & Custom Gate for City Farm SLO
2023Joey Martin · DigitalCommons - CalPoly (California State Polytechnic University) · United States (California)
At City Farm SLO in California, a project was undertaken to upgrade a well pump enclosure and install a custom gate due to a lack of security for their well pump system. The project involved enlarging the enclosure, replacing posts, installing new fencing, and fabricating a custom steel gate with a padlock-compatible latch. Construction was completed in three workdays, providing the farm with a lockable enclosure to prevent trespassing, and the client was satisfied.
CommunityFood educationAgroecología y construcción de ciudadanía en los huertos urbanos de la Ciudad de México
2023Nehiby Alcántara Nieves, Rosa María Larroa Torres · Iztapalapa(en línea)/Iztapalapa · Mexico (Mexico City)
This article identified agroecological practices in 10 urban gardens (hu) in Mexico City and their relationship with the construction of food citizenship. Data was collected through interviews with garden managers and users, and participant observation. The study found a tendency to prioritize responsibilities over rights within these urban gardens.
Governance failureFood sovereignty & justiceCommunityPolicyOptimizing the Monitoring of Urban Fruit-Bearing Flora with Citizen Science: An Overview of the Pomar Urbano Initiative
2023Filipi Miranda Soares, Luís Ferreira Pires, Maria Carolina Garcia, Aline Martins de Carvalho, Sheina Koffler, Natália Pirani Ghilardi-Lopes, Rubens Silva, Benildes Coura Moreira dos Santos Maculan, Ana María Bertolini, Gabriela Rigote, Lídio Coradin, Uiara Bandineli Montedo, Débora Pignatari Drucker, Raquel Santiago, Maria Clara de Carvalho, Ana Carolina da Silva Lima, Karoline Reis de Almeida, Stephanie Gabriele Mendonça de França, Hillary Dandara Elias Gabriel, Bárbara Junqueira dos Santos, António Mauro Saraiva · Biodiversity Information Science and Standards · Brazil
The "Pomar Urbano" (Urban Orchard) project collaboratively monitors 411 native and exotic fruit-bearing plant species across all 27 Brazilian state capitals. Data collection uses iNaturalist Umbrella and Collection projects, with each capital having a specific collection project. The project involves a multidisciplinary team exploring biodiversity value, creating fruit-inspired products in creative industries, and developing recipes featuring frequently observed fruits in São Paulo to promote culinary diversity.
CommunityBiodiversityDireito à cidade e direitos à/da natureza: uma nova perspectiva desde a Agricultura Urbana
2023Pedro Sorrentino, Maria Carolina Maziviero · arq urb · Brazil (Curitiba)
This article reflects on a new perspective on the right to the city, aiming to reframe the relationship between humanity and nature to overcome the current civilizational crisis. It presents the contributions of urban agriculture practices in Curitiba, Brazil, highlighting advancements towards the right to the city and a new land culture, along with their challenges and potential.
CommunityPolicyFood sovereignty & justiceHortas nas escolas e agroecologia: plantando conhecimento e colhendo solidariedade
2023Loyane Ferreira da Matta, Monique Cleia de Pontes Bandeira CARVALHO, Josué Rodrigues Gomes, Juliana do Nascimento Chagas Pessanha, Érika Eberlline Pacheco dos Santos · LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas) · Brazil (Campos dos Goytacazes)
A pedagogical garden project was implemented at Escola Municipal Santa Terezinha in Campos dos Goytacazes, Brazil, to teach the importance of agroecology, the environment, and healthy eating. The project involved weekly activities where students participated in workshops, courses, meetings, study groups, and garden construction, based on a bibliographic survey of pedagogical gardens, agroecology, and urban agriculture.
Food educationCommunityOrganic cycleIntegration of the Livelihood and Ecosystem Services Frameworks—A Case Study on Urban Agriculture in Mexico City
2023Mayra I. Rodríguez González, Christian Kelly Scott, Tatiana Marquina, Demeke B. Mewa, Jorge García Polo, Binbin Peng · Earth Interactions · Mexico
This mixed-method study in Mexico City, Mexico, explored urban agriculture's (UA) role as an alleviation and land management strategy, integrating ecosystem services and livelihoods frameworks. It quantified food production, crop diversity, six ecological processes, cultural benefits, and contributions to livelihood capitals. UA supported ecological processes, connected humans to nature, and provided supplemental income, but also showed trade-offs between ecological processes, limits in promoting formal education beyond agroecological knowledge, and an inability to fully lift families out of poverty.
CommunityBiodiversityEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceInvestigação Parasitológica de Hortaliças e Microbiológica de Água de Irrigação Oriundas de Hortas Comunitárias em Londrina, Paraná
2023Nathália Miasato Pimont, Rafael Alves Santomauro, Carolina De Abreu Pianta, Pablo Menegon Castilho, João Gabriel Neves Viana, Giovanna Carolina Silva Boscolo, Letícia Santos Balbino, Juliana Izidoro Lucas, Aline Ticiani Pereira Paschoal, Italmar Teodorico Navarro, Regina Mitsuka‐Breganó, Fernanda Pinto Ferreira · Ensaios e Ciência C Biológicas Agrárias e da Saúde · Brazil (Londrina)
This study, conducted in Londrina, Paraná, Brazil, between 2019 and 2020, analyzed community garden vegetables for parasites and irrigation water for *Escherichia coli*. *Escherichia coli* and total coliforms were detected in 66.7% (6/9) of water samples. Parasites of *Ascaris*, *Ancylostoma*, and *Entamoeba* genera were identified in vegetable samples, demonstrating contamination of both community garden vegetables and irrigation water.
Contamination & food safetyHealthCommunityBrazil’s Return to the Hunger Map: An Analysis of Public Policies and Effective Measures for Food Security
2023Ana Tereza Souza Domingos, Carolina Oliveira Mesquita, Emiliano Lôbo de Godoi, Thiago Augusto Mendes · Laws · Brazil
This bibliographical and documentary research analyzed the effectiveness of public food security policies in Brazil between 2012 and 2022, also considering urban agriculture as an alternative. It concluded that public policies were gradually weakened, and from 2019 to 2022, the Brazilian government discouraged food policy implementation. Consequently, Brazil faces food insecurity and hunger due to disjointed policies, the pandemic, and an economic crisis.
Governance failurePolicyFood sovereignty & justiceCommunity2023-May-19-No yard? No problem. Enjoy this community garden.
2023East Tennessee State University University Marketing and Communication · Digital Commons - East Tennessee State University (East Tennessee State University) · United States
ETSU Health's Johnson City Community Health Center in Johnson City, USA, has relaunched its community garden. Volunteers are active on the third Saturday of every month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and are also encouraged to harvest and tend the garden outside these hours. The garden provides access to fresh, healthy, and free produce, and was relaunched with community support.
CommunityHealthFood educationWelfareFlorecer la mente en la ciudad: Cómo la agricultura urbana apoya la salud mental
2023Katia Hernández Moreno · Milenaria Ciencia y arte · Mexico (Morelia)
This study analyzes the contributions of agricultural practice in the city of Morelia, Mexico, to the mental health of participants. The results presented are part of a broader investigation addressing the various components of urban agriculture on health and the urban environment, with this paper focusing solely on the mental health aspect.
HealthCommunityFarms and gardens everywhere but not a bite to eat? A critical geographic approach to food apartheid in Salt Lake City
2022Joyner L., Yagüe B., Cachelin A., Rose J. · Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development 11(2):67-88 · United States
Community-engaged study partnering with a CSA farm in Salt Lake City's Westside, examining how political-economic practices produced food apartheid and the limits of urban agriculture in advancing food justice in marginalized neighborhoods.
WelfareCommunityPolicyUrban Agriculture as a Means to Food Sovereignty? A Case Study of Baltimore City Residents
2022Colson-Fearon B., Versey H. S. · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19(19):12752 · United States
Case study examining urban agriculture as a sustainable strategy against food insecurity in Baltimore, finding it builds social capital, educates residents on healthy eating, and facilitates distribution of affordable food toward food sovereignty.
CommunityWelfareHealthDoes urban agriculture lead to gentrification?
2022Hawes J. K., Gounaridis D., Newell J. P. · Landscape and Urban Planning 225:104447 · United States
Analyzes the link between urban gardens and gentrification in Detroit, finding no clear association but showing gardens cluster in younger, affluent, educated, less-Black neighborhoods—gardening remains unequal.
PolicyCommunityWelfareHands-on childcare garden intervention: A randomized controlled trial to assess effects on fruit and vegetable identification, liking, and consumption among children aged 3–5 years in North Carolina
2022Cosco N.G., Wells N.M., Zhang D., Goodell L.S., Monsur M., Xu T., Moore R.C. · Frontiers in Psychology, 13:993637 · United States (North Carolina)
An RCT of the Preventing Obesity by Design (POD) garden intervention in 15 Wake County childcare centers serving ages 3–5. Using a waitlist-control design, it tests effects on fruit and vegetable identification, liking and snack-time consumption, demonstrating collaborative garden-based outdoor learning in early childhood settings.
Food educationHealthCommunityInside Zambia's 'new normal:' COVID-19 policy responses and implications for peri-urban food security and livelihoods
2022Manda S. · Journal of International Development · Zambia (Chongwe, Lusaka)
This study examines how Zambia's COVID-19 'new normal' policies disrupted peri-urban food production and market access near Lusaka, finding that ~53% of small-scale farmers reported zero agricultural income and that policy responses lacked systematic agricultural support.
PolicyEconomicsCommunityWelfareFarmer attitudes and perceptions toward gleaning programs and the donation of excess produce to food rescue organizations
2022Harvey S., Mount P., Valentine H., Gibson C. · Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 11(4):233-247 · United States
Interviewing 12 farmers who participated in a gleaning program and 16 who did not in the Greater Kansas City metro area, this study analyses motivations for and barriers to donating surplus produce to food-rescue organisations such as food banks. Participants cited ease of donating and tax incentives; non-participants cited safety and liability concerns. It informs the design of food-rescue schemes that redirect urban and peri-urban farm surplus to community food aid.
Food lossCommunityWelfareEconomicsWho Gardens and How in Urban USA: Informing Social Equity in Urban Agriculture Action Plans
2022Kirti Das, Anu Ramaswami · Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · United States
Based on a survey of 6,152 representative urbanites in three US cities, this paper analyzes the demographics of agricultural gardeners and the types of gardening practiced. It finds low engagement in community gardening (~2%) versus household gardening (~27%), that household gardening was dominated by higher-income White males, and that community gardening was more diverse but too low in participation to scale benefits—underscoring the need for data on who gardens to design equitable urban agriculture.
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