Research & reports

SP24.C, CommuniTee’s · Bucknell Digital Commons (Bucknell University) · United States

CommuniTee’s partnered with the Lewisburg Community Garden (LCG) and the Donald Heiter Community Center (DHCC). At the LCG, they completed three service projects: painting a sign, stabilizing 93 fence posts, and starting a pollinator garden. CommuniTee’s sold 229 t-shirts, generating a net profit of $1,614.64 for the DHCC. Additionally, they raised $1,213.04 through five fundraising events and an advocacy campaign, with a total of $2,827.68 to be donated to the DHCC.

Rob Roggema, Aleksandra Krstikj, B. J. Erazo Flores · Nutrients · Mexico (Monterrey)

This study in the Noreste of Mexico, focusing on Monterrey, investigated spatial and non-spatial barriers to adopting healthy diets and accessing plant-based foods. Findings revealed significant disparities in food access across the Monterrey metropolitan area, with central urban zones having superior access to fresh foods compared to suburban and peripheral regions. This inequality disproportionately affects marginalized areas with higher poverty rates, worsening food insecurity.

Qingyue Zeng, Kevin Lam, Autumn Salcedo, Rohan V. Tikekar, Shirley A. Micallef, Ryan A. Blaustein · Journal of Food Protection · United States (Washington D.C.)

This study explored the impacts of biological soil amendments of animal origin (BSAAOs) on antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria in leafy vegetable production environments across seven urban farms and community gardens in the Washington D.C. area. Amended plots showed significantly higher concentrations of total heterotrophic bacteria than bulk soil, which was associated with reduced fractions of tetracycline-resistant bacteria and case-specific trends for reduced ampicillin-resistant bacteria and coliforms. Soil pH positively correlated with tetracycline-resistant bacteria in amended soils, suggesting pH-targeting management strategies could control related risks.

Bárbara Rios Lacerda, Rafael Sanginez Zebalos Lourenço, Aleffy Helberty Alves da Silva, Ana Cláudia Barroso · Revista Ibero-Americana de Humanidades, Ciências e Educação · Brazil (Porto Velho)

This experience report details the implementation of a sustainable vertical community garden and a composting system at a municipal school in Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil, as part of the "Urban and Community Gardens: Cultivating Connections" project. The project aimed to provide food and food education, promote practical skills, environmental awareness, and healthy eating habits for students. Despite difficulties such as finding new locations and shortened deadlines, which limited contact with students and the local community, the project successfully established a sustainable garden for community consumption and environmental education for those involved.

Marina Torreblanca, Flavio Choquehuanca, Javier Martínez, Martinez Alfaro · Land · Peru (Arequipa)

This research developed indicators for Cultural Ecosystem Services (CESs) in peri-urban agricultural and natural areas (PANAs), using Arequipa, Peru, as a case study. A systematic review combined with a participatory workshop identified 230 indicators across 19 subclassifications, with 115 indicators across 13 subclassifications assessed for impact level. This study enables the selection of practical indicators to facilitate PANA landscape management and support decision-making for interventions.

Karla L. Hanson, Claire Concepcion, Leah C. Volpe · Nutrients · United States

This scoping review explored factors associated with Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) participation among low-income households in the United States. Analyzing 18 articles, findings suggested that women may be more likely than men to enroll in CSA. A lack of familiarity with CSA may hinder enrollment, whereas more education and self-efficacy for food preparation may facilitate participation.

Ivonne Alonso Durán, Elizabeth Hernández-Álvarez, Ofelia Mortón-Bermea, Javier Castro-Larragoitia, Margarita Collazo-Ortega · Revista Internacional de Contaminación Ambiental · Mexico (Mexico City)

This study investigated the concentrations of 15 metal(loid)s in four vegetables (tomato, onion, chili, lettuce) cultivated in four urban garden locations in Mexico City. While soil analysis showed only vanadium exceeded Mexican limits in one location, various vegetables harvested in the study exceeded international recommended limits for cadmium, mercury, and lead. Lettuce exhibited the highest metal concentrations and transfer factors, with exceptionally high transfer factors for cadmium in lettuce and mercury in tomato.

Gundula Proksch, George Lee · · United States

Based on data from the Chicago Urban Agriculture Mapping Project, this study used GIS mapping to investigate urban agriculture typologies and their distribution in the Chicago metropolitan area. It showed that small-scale non-profit gardens are integrated closely with communities, while commercial controlled environment agriculture (CEA) operations utilize existing infrastructure and buildings in commercial and industrial corridors. Both types of urban agriculture serve different needs, providing various benefits to the urban population, from social services to fresh food production and economic development.

Bruna Trevisan Negri, Antônio Nivaldo Hespanhol · Geography Department University of Sao Paulo · Brazil (São Paulo)

This article compares urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) in Regente Feijó, Brazil, and Centre Wellington, Canada, to understand their particularities and contributions to food security and local food supply. Data from interviews with farmers revealed that while production purposes differ—predominantly self-consumption in Regente Feijó and commercialization in Centre Wellington—UPA significantly improves food security and local supply in both areas. A key challenge identified is the inadequate government support for UPA in both studied regions.

Marcos Xavier · Boletim Campineiro de Geografia · Brazil (São Paulo)

This article aims to present peripheral urban agriculture in the outskirts of São Paulo, Brazil, as an element of the lower circuit of the urban economy. These agricultural activities, carried out by the city's poor, exhibit forms of organization and methods of practice specific to the urban context and participate in the dispute over the appropriation and use of urban space.

Gustavo [UNESP] Nagib · LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas) · Brazil (São Paulo)

This chapter examines the relationship between urban activism and the establishment of non-commercial community gardens in public spaces within São Paulo, Brazil, since 2010. It details the formation of the "Hortelões Urbanos" activist network in 2011 and the subsequent creation of the "União de Hortas Comunitárias de São Paulo (UHCSP)" in 2018, which unites community garden initiatives. The analysis highlights how these gardens, despite the absence of municipal public policy, promote health, healthy eating, autonomy, and urban biodiversity through low-consumption practices.

Exzolvildres Queiroz Neto, Gilson Brandão de Oliveira Junior, Marcelha Silva de Andrade, Suncar Dabo, Geisiane Michelle Zanquetta de Pintor · LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas) · Brazil

This article presents reflections on the practice of Urban and Peri-urban Agriculture (AUP) and its impact on land use and occupation in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil. The research raised several questions concerning rural-urban dynamics, the specificities of urban family farmers, and the complexity of land use in the municipality. Diagnostic results from a semi-structured research guide will be used as an empirical basis for further reflection, and the abstract does not state specific research findings or critical findings regarding governance.

Kaline Soares da Costa, Regina da Silva Santos, Carmen Viana Ramos, Ana Karolinne da Silva Brito, Luana Kelle Batista Moura, Liriane Andressa Alves da Silva, Joyce Lopes Macedo, Maria do Carmo de Carvalho e Martins · Somma Revista Cientifica do Instituto Federal de Educação Ciência e Tecnologia do Piauí · Brazil

This cross-sectional study investigated the profile of healthy eating habits among 45 community garden producers in Teresina, Piauí, Brazil, referencing the "10 Steps to Healthy Eating" from the Brazilian Dietary Guidelines. The dietary profile of the producers was considered inadequate; while 97.78% followed the water consumption guideline, only 4.44% followed the guideline for milk/meat/eggs consumption and 6.67% for fruits/vegetables consumption. No participant followed all 10 steps, and a better socioeconomic level was associated with healthier behaviors.

Carol E. Ramos-Gerena, Alane Celeste-Villalvir, Huerto Semilla School Facilitators, Aníbal Y. López-Correa, Samina Raja · Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition · United States (Puerto Rico)

This case study unveils the social curriculum and community farm practices at Escuelita Semillera, an adult agroecological school initiative located on the premises of the University of Puerto Rico-Río Piedras. Maintained by students and alumni for 14 years, this community garden offered free in-person classes to 50 participants in 2022 and 2023. The research shows how its social curriculum fosters a transition from personal care to community and ecological care, highlighting the vital role of care in adult agroecological education.

Alessandra Russi, Danni Da Silva · Agroalimentaria · Brazil

This qualitative-quantitative study characterized school gardens in public education networks across twenty-four municipalities in Brazil's Serra Gaúcha region using a semi-structured questionnaire. Data revealed most schools were located in urban areas, predominantly served elementary school students during the daytime, and lacked guidance from qualified professionals and agroecological management for their gardens. Based on these findings, four educational brochures on agroecological techniques were developed for elementary students.

Han Li, Jeremy A. White · Sustainability · United States

This study assessed bat activity patterns at Glacier Creek Preserve in Omaha, Nebraska, USA, from 2018 to 2020 using acoustic monitoring to determine its conservation value for bats. Nine species, including the endangered Myotis septentrionalis, were recorded, with edge habitats showing higher overall and foraging activities for several species compared to open habitats. The preserve provides roosts, commuting corridors, and foraging grounds for different bat species.

Valerie A. Ubbes, Karly S. Geller, Sophia Whitesel · American Journal of Health Education · United States

This study developed and validated the Functional Health Literacy Survey for School Gardening (FHLS-SG) using 31 questions administered to 651 children in grades K-4 in the United States. The FHLS-SG demonstrated statistically significant reliability (Cronbach’s alpha 0.69-0.84, test-retest 0.59-0.81). Health literacy showed small to medium mediation effects on relationships between individual, environmental, and behavioral factors in school gardening, particularly between the garden environment and the individual (M = 0.36).

Lu Hu, Nelson Lin, Yun Shi, Jiepin Cao, Mary Ann Sevick, Huilin Li, Jeannette M. Beasley, Natalie Levy, Kosuke Tamura, Xinyi Xu, Yulin Jiang, IRIS H. ONG, Ximin Yang, Yujie Bai, Liwen Su, Sze Wan Chan, Stella S. Yi · JMIR Research Protocols · United States

The INCLUDE study protocol describes a 3-year randomized controlled trial (n=150) to test a social media-based intervention adapting the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) for Chinese immigrants in the US, combined with a culturally adapted, community-supported agriculture program. Participants with prediabetes or at risk for T2D are randomized, with the intervention group (n=75) receiving 12 weeks of DPP videos, biweekly phone support, and 10 weeks of produce. Weight is the primary outcome, measured at baseline, 3-month, and 6-month intervals.

Arnaldo Monteiro, Neusa Barbosa, Rosimeire Pereira, Josimar Cardoso · International Journal of Research in Agronomy · Brazil (São Paulo)

This 12-month study (March 2022-February 2023) at the University of São Paulo, Brazil, evaluated the productivity, water efficiency, and economic viability of a media-bed aquaponics system compared to conventional hydroponics and soil-based cultivation. Lettuce and basil were grown alongside Nile tilapia. Aquaponics used 78.2% less water than soil-based production and 22.1% less than hydroponics per kilogram of produce. Lettuce yields in aquaponics reached 4.83 kg/m², slightly below hydroponics (5.12 kg/m²) but well above soil cultivation (3.27 kg/m²), and the aquaponics unit achieved economic break-even at month 9 and returned a 14.3% annual profit margin.

Mitchell McLarnon · Canadian Journal for the Study of Adult Education · Canada

This paper described and analyzed the social relations emerging from an adult education internship and community-based garden project in Montreal, Canada. Using institutional ethnography, it uncovered how adult education internships in community gardens and gardening programming can produce disproportionate outcomes for adult learners, community workers, and community members. It elucidated that specific institutional contrivances, such as funding, policy, work processes, and discourse, structure and define who experiences access to gardens, gardening, its ostensible health and well-being benefits, and adult education.

Martin Bailkey, Rosalind Greenstein · Urban agriculture · United States

This paper reviews “Farming Inside Cities: Entrepreneurial Urban Agriculture in the United States” (2000) by Jerry Kaufman and Martin Bailkey. This report was one of three concurrent research studies on for-market urban agriculture as a viable reuse of vacant land in major US cities. While its practical nature and description of urban agriculture's opportunities and challenges remain relevant today, it does not explicitly state the value of farming as a vehicle for social equity and food justice in urban communities of color.

Patsy Kraeger, Rhonda Phillips, J. H. Lubin, Jonathan Weir, Kristina R. Patterson · Sustainability · United States

This study investigated the connection between local farmers markets (FMs), community-supported agriculture (CSAs), and physical well-being at the state level across the 50 states of the United States. Analyzing 2016 data from the United States Department of Agriculture using an ordinal logistic regression model, the study found an inconclusive relationship at the state level. While local FMs and CSAs may increase physical well-being, this study did not find such an increase.

Domenic Vitiello · Urban agriculture · United States

US cities have developed urban agriculture support systems reflecting competing values, with some prioritizing public good and others economic gains. A chapter reflecting on urban agriculture planning in Chicago and Philadelphia notes that institutional structures significantly impact equity and justice. The study indicates that the existing urban agriculture support systems in these cities may not adequately promote equity and justice.

Stephanie Bezerra Muniz Falcão, Laysla Tamyres de Oliveira Borges, ANA PATRICIA BASTOS FERREIRA · International Journal of Health Science · Brazil

This extension project in Jaboatão dos Guararapes-PE, Brazil, aimed to promote mental health and physical well-being for elderly residents in a Long-Term Care Institution (ILPI) through horticulture. A community garden was created for therapeutic horticulture activities, including sensory gardening and aromatherapy. The project found that horticulture was effective in reducing depressive symptoms, improving mood, and enhancing the quality of life for participants.

Katharine Garrity, Kathleen Krzyzanowski Guerra, Hannah Hart, Khawlah Al-Muhanna, Emily C. Kunkler, Ashlea Braun, K. Poppe, Kara Johnson, Emma Lazor, Yang Liu, Jennifer Garner · Advances in Nutrition · United States

A systematic review of 34 studies (37 articles) from 2000-2020 evaluated the impact of local food system (SVC) models on food and nutrition security among low-income populations in the United States. Farmers market interventions were more extensively evaluated than other SVC models, with fruit and vegetable intake being the most measured outcome. Barriers to SVC use included lack of program awareness, limited accessibility, and cultural incongruence, while facilitators included health-promoting environments, community cohesion, financial incentives, and high-quality produce.