Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
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628 results(14 / 26)
Hortas sócioeducativas e o trabalho de ressocialização na cadeia pública de Bananeiras, Paraíba
2018Lucas Bras Barbosa, Sérgio Syddney Borges de Araújo, Evelyn Maria Alexandre da Silva Lima, Erikson Kadoshe de Morais Raimundo, Alexandre Eduardo de Araújo, Carlos Roberto Marinho Silva Filho · Cadernos de Agroecologia · Brazil (Paraíba)
This study analyzed the resocialization aspects for eight prisoners in the Public Penitentiary of Bananeiras-PB, Brazil, through labor activities in educational community gardens. Using a qualitative approach, it found that remuneration was not a primary factor for prisoners; instead, sentence remission, improved food, and occupation of time and mind were the most important aspects.
Food educationWelfareCommunityHealthLynchburg College Community Garden
2018Kaitlin Hathaway · Digital Showcase Research, Scholarship, & Creative Works (University of Lynchburg) · United States (Lynchburg)
The Lynchburg College Community Garden at Beaver Point, United States, was established in 2016 by students and faculty to teach sustainable agriculture and enrich soil. In spring and summer 2017, projects included donating produce, promoting pollinators, raising chickens, and composting. The abstract also describes a designed rainwater collection and irrigation system.
CommunityFood educationBiodiversityCompostOrganic cycleTeens as Teachers in the Garden: Cultivating a Sustainable Model for Teaching Healthy Living
2018Virginia L. J. Bolshakova, John Gieng, C. Sheena Sidhu, Mary Vollinger, Lorena Gimeno, Jessica Guild · Journal of Youth Development · United States (California)
The "Healthy Living Ambassador" school garden program in low-income communities integrated resources from schools, community programs, and the University of California Cooperative Extension. This program utilized culturally competent teenagers as teachers to educate elementary school youth on healthy living. The successes and challenges of the program development were discussed, revealing that public schools often lack the resources and support to establish sustainable garden-based programming.
Governance failureFood educationHealthCommunityWelfareAgronomy Garden Food Literacy and Community Food System Engagement Strategy
2018Lucas Chan, Lily Han, Lia Monteferrante, Ryah Rondolo · cIRcle (University of British Columbia) · Canada
The UBC Agronomy Garden was the subject of a research project exploring strategies to increase community engagement. The research team conducted a literature review, in-person interviews, and an online survey to investigate ways to make the garden more attractive. Findings indicated that installing multilingual, informative, and welcoming signage is key to increasing engagement, with 63% of students preferring handmade, creative, simple, and colorful welcoming signs.
CommunityFood educationHealthHealthy Roots: Building capacity through shared stories rooted in Haudenosaunee knowledge to promote Indigenous foodways and well-being
2018Kelly Gordon, Adrianne Lickers Xavier, Hannah Tait Neufeld · Canadian Food Studies / La Revue canadienne des études sur l alimentation · Canada
The Healthy Roots initiative in the Six Nations community in southern Ontario, Canada, aimed to promote traditional food consumption among First Nation families facing food insecurity. A small number of participants who consumed only locally available foods reported improved blood glucose control, positive weight changes, and increased traditional food knowledge. The program also fostered new relationships and partnerships, including with the community organization Our Sustenance, to further community-based initiatives like developing a Haudenosaunee Food Guide.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceHealthFood educationCollaborative Creation and Implementation of a Michigan Sustainability Case on Urban Farming in Detroit
2018Lauren Boone, Lizz Ultee, Ed Waisanen, Joshua Newell, Joshua A. Thorne, Rebecca Hardin · Case Studies in the Environment · United States
This article analyzes a Michigan Sustainability Case (MSC) on urban farming in Detroit, developed by the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS). This MSC embodies principles of cocreation, integration into multiple curricula, and digital innovation for enhanced experiential learning, having been collaboratively produced, deployed, and iteratively improved in successive SEAS classrooms. It incorporated field learning in Detroit, providing strong user experiences for students, faculty, and practitioners.
Food educationCommunityClimate changeUtah Agricultural Teachers' Perceptions of Urban and Non-Traditional Agriculture Curriculum & SAEs: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior
2018Ashlee Cromer, Kelsey Hall, Tyson J. Sorensen, David Francis, Joshua Dallin · Digital Commons - USU (Utah State University) · United States (Utah)
This study aimed to describe agricultural education teachers' perceptions of urban and non-traditional agriculture curriculum and Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs) in Utah. It addresses a gap in understanding teachers' preparedness to implement curriculum and career information related to emerging agricultural issues like urban agriculture. Previous research indicates a need for professional development in these areas for agricultural education teachers.
Food educationUrban–rural linkageBuilding an Urban Food System Through UDC Food Hubs
2018Sabine O’Hara, Dwane Jones, Harris B. Trobman · Advances in higher education and professional development book series · United States
The Landgrant College of the University of the District of Columbia operates urban food hubs as the only exclusively urban land-grant university in the United States. These hubs utilize bio-intensive hydroponic and aquaponic systems and green roofs to maximize productivity in small urban spaces, and kitchens serve as business incubators and training facilities. They also promote waste and water reuse through composting, rainwater capture, and green infrastructure, offering training, wellness, and leadership opportunities to UDC students and DC residents.
Food educationEconomicsCommunityCompostDigital agriculturePolicyTeaching Spatial Thinking and Geospatial Technologies Through Citizen Mapping and Problem-Based Inquiry in Grades 7-12
2018M. Beth Schlemper, Brinda Athreya, Kevin Czajkowski, Victoria C. Stewart, Sujata Shetty · Journal of Geography · United States
A project introduced students in grades 7 through 12 to spatial thinking and geospatial technologies within the context of community challenges. A mix of inquiry levels, from teacher- to student-guided, was used through a citizen mapping group activity. Qualitative methods evaluated students' knowledge, showing that their awareness of their community, spatial thinking, and geospatial technologies increased as a result of participation.
Food educationCommunityAn Analysis on the Importance of Medicinal Garden as Teaching Resource in A School in Northeast of Brazil
2018Natalia Caroline de Souza Aguiar, Marcelo Alves Ramos, Múcio Luiz Banja Fernandes · Asian Journal of Applied Sciences · Brazil
This study analyzed the views of thirteen teachers in a public school in northeastern Brazil regarding the importance and use of a medicinal garden planted in 2014. Interviews revealed a lack of interest among teachers in using the school garden, despite most recognizing its importance as a didactic resource. The findings suggest that intervention projects in schools require teachers to be prepared for their use, highlighting the need for a teacher training plan.
Limited or null effectFood educationCommunityO USO DE GEOTECNOLOGIAS ABERTAS NA DISCIPLINA GEOGRAFIA AGRÁRIA – ESPACIALIZAÇÃO E DIAGNÓSTICO DA OCORRÊNCIA DA AGRICULTURA URBANA NO BAIRRO SANTA LÚCIA - MACEIÓ/AL
2018Cirlene Jeane Santos e Santos · · Brazil (Maceió)
This article describes didactic foundations and field activities in the Agrarian Geography discipline at the Federal University of Alagoas, Brazil, aimed at enhancing student learning. Students engaged with urban agriculture and animal husbandry in Maceió/AL, finding that direct interaction with reality facilitated meaningful learning beyond classroom content. The results indicated that students integrated various course contents to understand the relationships in these spaces.
Food educationCommunitySustainability via Active Garden Education (SAGE): results from two feasibility pilot studies
2017Lee R.E., Parker N.H., Soltero E.G., Ledoux T., Hernandez I., Sahnoune I. · BMC Public Health, 17:242 · United States
Piloted SAGE—a 12-session garden education program with songs, games, taste tests and garden care—for 89 children aged 3–5 in six early care and education centers across two US cities, evaluating reach, efficacy and implementation using the RE-AIM framework for PA and fruit and vegetable intake.
Food educationHealthCommunityLA Sprouts randomized controlled nutrition, cooking and gardening programme reduces obesity and metabolic risk in Hispanic/Latino youth
2017Gatto · Pediatric Obesity · USA (Los Angeles)
A randomized controlled trial of a 12-week after-school nutrition, cooking, and gardening program held at a community garden, assessing reductions in obesity and metabolic risk among Hispanic/Latino youth.
Food educationHealthThe multifunctionality of urban farming: perceived benefits for neighbourhood improvement
2017Melissa N. Poulsen, Roni Neff, Peter J. Winch · Local Environment · United States (Baltimore)
This qualitative case study in Baltimore, Maryland, explored community perceptions of how urban farms benefit neighborhoods. Interviews with residents, neighborhood leaders, and urban farmers in three residential neighborhoods revealed that benefits stemmed from the creation of public projects, physical improvement of degraded spaces, local food production, and new businesses. These changes led to perceived benefits such as increased social connectedness, a transformed physical landscape, improved neighborhood reputation, and enhanced access to fresh produce, demonstrating the importance of a multifunctional paradigm beyond traditional economic indicators.
CommunityHealthFood educationEconomicsLow-income adults’ perceptions of farmers’ markets and community-supported agriculture programmes
2017Elizabeth W. Cotter, Carla Teixeira, Annessa Bontrager, Kasharena Horton, Deyanira Soriano · Public Health Nutrition · United States (Washington, DC)
This study conducted focus groups with 28 adults in three affordable housing communities in Washington, D.C., USA, to understand low-income adults' attitudes towards participating in farmers' markets, community-supported agriculture (CSA), and nutrition education programming. The results revealed that adults living in urban, affordable housing communities desire access to healthy foods but are limited by cost. Programs could have a higher likelihood of success if they accept benefits like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), are heavily marketed, and incorporate culturally relevant nutrition education components.
Equity & displacementCSA & TeikeiWelfareEconomicsCommunityFood educationStudent-Led Farmers Market: Engaging, Real-World Experience And Nutrition Education That Prepares Students For A Successful Professional Life After High School
2017Rebecca A Hennessey · Digital Commons - Hamline (Hamline University) · United States
This capstone project proposes a curriculum that supports a student-led farmers market program for high school students. The curriculum provides garden and nutrition education through a fully-functioning farmers market run entirely by students, offering them real-world experience.
Food educationCommunityInvolving Extension in Urban Food Systems: An Example from California
2017Lucy Diekmann, Rob Bennaton, Jessica Schweiger, Cole Smith · Journal of Human Sciences and Extension · United States (California)
This article illustrates how Extension in the San Francisco Bay Area, California, develops urban agriculture programming and engages in food-system-related partnerships. The Extension practice in this metropolitan region aligns with research findings on local food system involvement, focusing on educational opportunities and collaborative work with community and government partners. This case study provides insights for Extension personnel designing urban food system programs.
Food educationCommunityPolicyHealthEconomicsFarm Fresh Foods for Healthy Kids (F3HK): An innovative community supported agriculture intervention to prevent childhood obesity in low-income families and strengthen local agricultural economies
2017Rebecca A. Seguin‐Fowler, Emily H. Morgan, Karla L. Hanson, Alice S. Ammerman, Stephanie Jilcott Pitts, Jane Kolodinsky, Marilyn Sitaker, Florence Becot, Leah M. Connor, Jennifer Garner, Jared T. McGuirt · BMC Public Health · United States
Farm Fresh Foods for Healthy Kids (F3HK) is a community-based, randomized intervention trial designed to assess the impact of subsidized community supported agriculture (CSA) coupled with nutrition education to prevent childhood obesity in low-income families and strengthen local agricultural economies. Conducted in New York, North Carolina, Vermont, and Washington, the study targets low-income families with children aged 2-12 years. Primary outcomes include children's intake of fruits and vegetables, sugar and fat, and diet quality, with data collected over three years.
CSA & TeikeiHealthWelfareEconomicsFood educationPersonal Narratives Changing Student Understandings of Community-based Academic Programs
2017Isabel Verhille · Scholarship @ Claremont (The Claremont Colleges) · United States (California)
A Media Studies Senior Thesis from the Claremont Colleges in California, USA, focuses on two community programs: the Spanish Practicum program at Pitzer College and Huerta del Valle, a community garden in Ontario. The project comprised a photographic essay on personal experience in the Spanish Practicum, an article on the program's history, and an interview with the founder of Huerta del Valle and a student participant. These personal narratives were presented as a webpage to explore their communal significance in constructing a shared understanding of community-based academic programs.
CommunityFood educationFor the Love of Land and People: An Evaluation of The Food Project as an Empowering Youth Development Program
2017Emily Walls · DigitalCommons-Macalester (Macalester College) · United States (Boston)
The Food Project, a youth development and urban agriculture organization in the Greater Boston area, demonstrates effective empowerment by successfully creating safe spaces, engaging youth in meaningful work, and providing them with confidence and skills to effect change. This study analyzed program structures through youth experiences to evaluate empowerment and personal growth.
Food educationCommunityWelfareThe New Sacred Farm
2017Gretel Van Wieren · Worldviews Global Religions Culture and Ecology · United States
This paper explored religious approaches within the food and faith movement in the U.S. by examining the work of three religious, community-based farming projects. These projects are characterized by ritual practices and narrative tropes as they address social, ecological, political, and ethical challenges posed by current food systems. The study concluded that these religious farms should be considered sacred spaces for how they ritualize and symbolically interpret agricultural and food practices.
CommunityFood educationCSA & TeikeiFood sovereignty & justiceSafe food facts for community gardens
2017Marisa Bunning, M. Newby · Digital Collections of Colorado (Colorado State University) · United States (Colorado)
This document provides practical tips for community gardeners to ensure the safety and quality of food grown in community gardens. It emphasizes proper garden management and handling of fresh produce to maximize the benefits of growing one's own food.
CommunityFood educationMount Carmel Community Garden: Inspiring Community Growth through Sustainable Food Production
2017C. E. Deardorff, Julia Friedman, Charlotte Walton · Bucknell Digital Commons (Bucknell University) · United States
This entry comprises a project report and a Community Garden Guide for Mount Carmel, United States. The report outlines community garden benefits, analyzes potential advantages for Mount Carmel, and reviews stakeholders, goals, and a community interest survey. The guide compiles essential information and tools for establishing new community garden projects, covering social and economic benefits alongside technical skills.
CommunityFood educationEconomicsPolicyACS celebrates Earth Day
2017Linda Wang · C&EN Global Enterprise · United States
In April 2017, the American Chemical Society (ACS) organized "Chemists Celebrate Earth Day" (CCED) across the U.S., with the theme "Chemistry Helps Feed the World." The program involved hands-on science activities and community garden planting, with a majority of ACS's 185 local sections participating. Over 62,000 copies of "Celebrating Chemistry" were distributed, and events like Chem Demo were held for over 350 students in Arizona.
CommunityFood educationHanford FFA Ornamental Horticulture Unit Master Plan
2017Savanah Diane Rhine, Russell Alan Zimmerman · DigitalCommons - CalPoly (California State Polytechnic University) · United States (California)
This project aims to develop a more functional plan for the Ornamental Horticulture (OH) Unit at the Hanford Agriculture Program, which serves over 1,000 students from three high schools in Hanford, California. A majority of these students are not in the OH Career Pathway due to a lack of a constant, fully functional unit. The plan focuses on four broad areas: vegetable boxes, greenhouses, a shade house, and beautification, to provide a functional school garden and OH Unit at the Hanford High Campus. This initiative seeks to equip students with skills in horticulture, crop, and soil sciences, greenhouse production, and irrigation technology, offering practical experience for future careers in agriculture.
Food educationCommunityDIY