Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
2012 results(17 / 81)
The School Garden as an interdisciplinary resource for teaching and learning in the early years
2024Sandra Cadore Peixoto, Suzane Dubou Serafim, Thaís Scotti do Canto-Dorow · Revista Eletrônica em Gestão Educação e Tecnologia Ambiental · Brazil (Santa Maria)
This study, conducted with fifth-grade students at an Elementary School in Santa Maria, Brazil, aimed to present the contributions of a school vegetable garden to interdisciplinary teaching. The garden, planned and built collaboratively by teachers and students, served as a practical environment, allowing students to connect theory and practice and approach concepts in an interdisciplinary manner across various subjects.
Food educationCommunitySCHOOL GARDEN IN THE SUBJECT OF GEOGRAPHY FOR STUDENTS OF THE SECONDARY SCHOOL SEPTEMBER 29 OF MAXIXE
2024Teófilo Etelvino do Amaral, Carlitos Luís Sitoie · LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas) · Mozambique (Maxixe)
A school garden project was implemented at Escola Secundaria 29 de Setembro da Maxixe in Mozambique, integrating it into the geography curriculum. Research found that geography teachers only taught theoretical content, lacked practical understanding of the geographical relationship with local agricultural production, and did not value food from home gardens. Students and their parents also had no knowledge of vegetable gardens and preferred processed foods, which exacerbated hunger when they lacked money. The school garden was suggested as a means to produce healthy food and generate family income.
Food educationFood sovereignty & justiceHealth“We Can Come in Together and Garden”: A Mixed Methods Study of School Connectedness in a Middle School Garden Project
2024Heidi L. Hollingsworth, William D. Giblin · Journal of Research in Childhood Education · Global
This mixed methods study investigated the impact of a middle school garden project on 6th-graders’ school connectedness. Surveys of 46 middle school students indicated that most had home gardening experience and enjoyed the school garden activities. However, pre-post results did not show increased school connectedness following the garden unit, as ratings were moderately high both before and after. Interviews with 25 participants revealed that the garden project facilitated home-school, student-student, and student-teacher connections, serving as a context for engagement and enjoyment for students.
Limited or null effectFood educationCommunityEducation Outside the Classroom in Norway: The prevalence, provision, and nature of uteskole
2024Gabriele Lauterbach, Mads Bølling, Ulrich Dettweiler · International Journal of Educational Research · Norway
A national survey was conducted in Norway on the prevalence, provision, and nature of "uteskole" (education outside the classroom). Out of 2671 schools contacted, a total of 869 schools (32.53%) provided valid data, including additional phone surveys. The results revealed that 87.6% of schools in Norway, from grades 1 to 10, practice uteskole, with 68.7% doing so for at least half a day every second week.
Food educationCommunityKit joaninha:
2024Andréa Nunes Moreira, Camila Torres Valgueiro Ferraz, Doyglas Rafael Sales Marques, Jarbas Florentino de Carvalho, Jane Oliveira Perez · Revista Semiárido De Visu · Brazil (Petrolina)
This study aimed to present efficient and low-cost methods for preserving ladybugs, excellent predators of agricultural pests, to horticulturists in Petrolina, Brazil. "Ladybug Preservation Kits" containing seed mixes and explanatory materials were distributed to 10 community gardens, and "Knowing Ladybugs Kits" with ladybug specimens were also distributed to 2 gardens. The survey identified 17 community gardens in Petrolina, and the activities received excellent receptivity, contributing to knowledge building about natural enemies.
BiodiversityFood educationCommunityPemenuhan Pangan Berkelanjutan melalui Pemanfaatan Lahan Pekarangan sebagai Adaptasi Baru Urban Farming di Kota Bandung
2024Tomi Setiawan, Moch Farizy A. Pratama · Jurnal Pengabdian Sosial · Indonesia (Bandung)
This study implemented training and assistance activities for sustainable food supply through the utilization of home gardens as a new adaptation of urban farming in Bandung City. The results showed that community members were very enthusiastic about implementing sustainable food supply activities through garden utilization. Urban farming activities are accepted by the community due to increasing food demand in urban areas.
DIYFood educationCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceENSEÑANZA DE LA SOSTENIBILIDAD: LAS FUNCIONES PEDAGÓGICAS DE LOS HUERTOS ESCOLARES
2024Benatti, Lia P. · LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas) · Global
This paper explores school gardens as pedagogical tools beyond food provision, noting that in visited schools, gardens do not meet dietary needs due to limited space. They offer opportunities for agroecology and environmental education, depending on educators' integration efforts. Despite logistical challenges, gardens promote healthy eating habits, though effective management often falls to individual teachers. The paper also proposes a framework for garden design to foster therapeutic, social, and knowledge-building experiences.
Food educationCommunityHealth“We never even touched plants this way”: school gardens as an embodied context for motivating environmental actions
2024Deborah Dutta, Sanjay Chandrasekharan · Environmental Education Research · Global
This study, based on a year-long facilitation of a school terrace-garden in a metropolitan city, outlined how situated and embodied interactions can foster an understanding of diverse ecological practices. It indicated that multi-modal sensorimotor experiences and the possibility of sharing these with others motivate children to expand their sphere of environmental activities beyond the site of learning. Students extended their care-based interactions with the garden to their communities and broader ecological issues.
Food educationCommunityBiodiversityClimate changeDeveloping the Feast for the Future Program through a Community Visioning Process
2024Kristen Speakman, Nicole Neault, Ventura Lovato, Katie Cueva, Ivanka Szabo, Rebecca Wallis, Jennifer Richards, Allison Barlow · Progress in community health partnerships · United States
Three tribal communities in the Southwestern United States partnered with the Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health to develop culturally relevant plans for the "Feast for the Future" program, addressing community concerns about obesity. Using a community visioning process, Community Advisory Boards from each community identified opportunities, challenges, goals, and visions, leading to the development of seven program components including Edible School Gardens and Community Gardens. A community-based participatory action research process was critical to this development.
CommunityFood educationHealthSes ve Özellikleri Konusunda Okul Dışı Ortamlarda Yapılan Etkinliklerin Ortaokul Öğrencilerinin Fen Konularına Olan İlgilerine ve Fen Öğrenme Motivasyonlarına Etkisi
2024Melis Temel Mumcu, Aykut Emre Bozdoğan · Gazi Journal of Education Sciences · Turkey
This quasi-experimental study investigated the effect of out-of-school learning activities, including a field trip and school garden activities, on 50 6th-grade students' science interest and motivation in Çorum during the 2022-2023 academic year. Findings showed a significant increase in science interest and motivation for the experimental group, while the control group showed no significant difference. Experimental group students also expressed positive views, stating the activities were enjoyable and boosted their interest.
Food educationCommunityThe Case for Agricultural Education in Urban Schools
2024Carina Rose Layfield · Teaching and Learning Anthropology · Global
This student essay examines a senior thesis project from Barnard College's urban studies program, advocating for the use of container farms to expand urban agricultural education in career and technical education settings. The author reviews their research process, results, and argument regarding the essential role of Perkins Act funding for such programs.
Food educationDIYPolicyTingkat Partisipasi Masyarakat dalam Program Urban Farming di Kampung Samtama, Jakarta Pusat
2024Isna Rahmawati, Yuwanda Nila Ariyani, Aliyah Fitriani · Desa-Kota · Indonesia (Jakarta)
A study in Kampung Samtama, Central Jakarta, Indonesia, surveyed 58 residents to assess their participation level in an urban farming program. Participation was measured across planning, implementation, utilization of results, and evaluation stages. The findings indicated a high overall community participation level (78.25), with the utilization of results stage scoring highest and the evaluation stage scoring lowest among all stages.
CommunityFood educationPolicyThe new insertion of urban agriculture in the production of the city
2024Gustavo [UNESP] Nagib · LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas) · France (Paris)
Research conducted in Greater Paris between 2018 and 2021 examined ephemeral urban agriculture (UA) initiatives in eco-districts during construction phases. This qualitative study, using fieldwork and observation, found that temporary UA occupations serve as incubators for new initiatives, fostering the emergence of associations and companies. UA is integrating into a new urbanism that anticipates long-term agricultural practices, bringing together various stakeholders.
CommunityPolicyEconomicsFood educationEpilogue
2024Erin VanLaningham · · Global
This concluding chapter emphasizes an ecology of the common good, highlighting the interconnectedness required for flourishing campuses, communities, and thought systems. It discusses four key aspects: deep ecology, ecology and economy, the home place, and community gardens and gardening. The chapter suggests that stewarding resources and educating for vocation can help prioritize diversity, justice, and care for all.
CommunityBiodiversityEconomicsFood educationCommunity-Based Early Childhood Development Center as a Platform to Overcome Stunting in PAUD Kenanga Mekar Asri Semarang
2024Dwi Kustriyanti, Boediarsih Boediarsih, Witri Hastuti, Hermeksi Rahayu, Indah Wulaningsih, Mardiyani Mardiyani, Andrew Sitepu · Swadaya Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat · Indonesia (Semarang)
A community-based early childhood development program in PAUD Kenanga Mekar Asri Semarang aimed to promote growth and development through counseling, mentoring, and training, including a catfish/tilapia program and urban farming. The study found that 70% of the children developed according to age, 30% had suspect development, and only 1 child (5%) was underweight, with no children found to be stunted.
CommunityHealthFood educationWelfareFostering Citizen-Led Projects Through Multi-level Engagement in Wildemanbuurt, Amsterdam
2024Diana Krabbendam, Emiel Wolf, Bernie Deekens, Rosalie Bak, Hans Krikke · SpringerBriefs in applied sciences and technology · Netherlands (Amsterdam)
This chapter outlined activities for citizen-led projects in the Wildeman neighborhood in Amsterdam. The main challenges identified were a lack of trust and community feeling among inhabitants, a lack of involvement and ownership in neighborhood developments, and fragmented existing community activities and services.
Governance failureCommunityPolicyFood educationOrganic cycleRede Carioca de Agricultura Urbana: mudança social, comunicação e cidadania
2024Rodrigo Rossi Morelato · MEDIACIONES · Brazil
This article addresses the communication practices of agroecological-based social movements in Rio de Janeiro, correlating them with theories of communication for social change. Based on extensive participatory research with the Rio de Janeiro Urban Agriculture Network (Rede CAU), it concludes that agroecology is capable of promoting processes of citizenship and social change through popular communication.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceFood educationA Step to be a Green School: As Addition Green Space to Support Sustainable Living [A Step to be a Green School: Sebagai Penambahan Ruang Terbuka Hijau guna Mendukung Hidup Berkelanjutan]
2024Qatrunnada Widhia Nugraha, Rahmawati Rahmawati, Riska Riska, Asep Kadarohman, Wiwin Sriwulan · Jurnal Pengabdian Isola. · Indonesia (Jawa Barat)
This study implemented school garden creation and environmental awareness activities for 27 students at a school in West Java. Environmental awareness was measured using questionnaires before and after the activities. Results showed that students recognized the benefits of the school garden, leading to an increase in the average environmental awareness score across all evaluated aspects.
Food educationCommunityClimate changeThe Tyranny of Schools: Nature and Nation in the Schools of Transylvania and the Romanian Kingdom, 1870-1914
2024Cosmin Koszor-Codrea · New Europe College Yearbook · Romania
This research investigated the nature study movement in secondary schools of Transylvania and the Romanian Kingdom between 1870 and 1914. It analyzed how methodological changes in natural history teaching, including nature excursions and botanical school gardens, influenced the development of a nationalist, utilitarian, anthropocentric, and racial approach toward the natural environment. The study connected these educational developments to the roots of the Romanian nature preservation movement and nation-building projects.
Food educationUsing Cellphones for Visualizing the Social and Environmental Relations of Community Gardens
2024Mitchell McLarnon · · Global
This chapter describes the practice, processes, and ethical tensions of using cell phones for visual data collection, representation, and analysis in school/community garden research projects. The findings suggest that while gardens and cell phones have the potential for enhancing experiential learning, increased well-being, and ecological awareness, their use needs to be highly contextualized within critical discussions related to settler colonialism, consumerism, neoliberalism, and (green) gentrification.
Equity & displacementCommunityFood educationBiodiversityClimate changeHealthPolicyCultivo de hortalizas de ciclos cortos en huertos para el consumo y comercialización de alumnos de tercero de bachillerato
2024Reina Bazán Alarcón, Edgar Leonidas Cottallat Villao, Segress García-Hevia · Código Científico Revista de Investigación · Ecuador
This mixed-methods study in Ecuador aimed to develop a methodology for implementing school gardens at Unidad Educativa Misael Olaya, focusing on short-cycle vegetable cultivation for consumption and potential commercialization by high school students. Questionnaires and interviews with students and teachers revealed that while students had basic knowledge of vegetable cultivation, there was a need to strengthen practical activities and experimental learning.
Limited or null effectFood educationWelfareCommunityEconomicsPublic Food Trees’ Usage and Perception, and Their Potential for Participatory Edible Cities: A Case Study in Birjand, Iran
2024Juliette Colinas, Francesca Ugolini, Mohammad Reza Khalilnezhad · Sustainability · Iran (Birjand)
In Birjand, Iran, a qualitative approach explored the usage and perception of public fruit trees and attitudes towards public usage and participation in two urban green spaces (Tohid Park and Akbarieh Garden). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve visitors, four administrators, and eight workers. Almost all visitors had a high interest in picking fruit, but usage in these green spaces was low, partly due to social norms.
Limited or null effectCommunityFood educationPolicyAssessing the Social Impact and Community Engagement of the Micro Urban Food Forest Campaign at Masagi Koffee : A Mixed-Methods Study
2024Rafi Pratama, Wawan Dhewanto · International Research Journal of Economics and Management Studies · Indonesia (Bandung)
This mixed-methods study assessed the effectiveness of the Micro Urban Food Forest Campaign at Masagi Koffee, Bandung, Indonesia, in enhancing environmental sustainability and community involvement. While the initiative moderately succeeded in raising environmental awareness among participants, it faced problems in achieving consistent community participation. Logistic regression analysis identified awareness and knowledge as significant predictors of sustainability practice, indicating a need for targeted strategies to foster behavioral change.
Limited or null effectCommunityBiodiversityFood educationPELATIHAN PENGOLAHAN DAN PENGEMASAN HASIL URBAN FARMING KELOMPOK TANI CODE HIJAU ASRI
2024B. Hari Saptanin Tyas, Fadjarini Sulistyowati, Widati Widati · JMM (Jurnal Masyarakat Mandiri) · Indonesia (Yogyakarta)
The Code Hijau Asri Farmer Group in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, consisting of 36 members, faced limitations in processing their urban farming products, Brazilian spinach and catfish, for income generation. A training program was conducted to enhance their skills in processing, packaging, and branding these products. The training resulted in 100% participant satisfaction with the content and practice, and 75% expressed interest in developing culinary businesses from the processed products, indicating an increase in the group's capacity.
Food educationEconomicsCommunityFood lossMathematics Teachers’ Opinions on the Use of School Gardens in Lessons
2024Melikenur Kalfaoğlu, Hasan Hüseyin Aksu · Shanlax International Journal of Education · Global
This qualitative case study explored the opinions of 27 mathematics teachers in MoNE secondary schools regarding the use of school gardens in lessons during the 2023-2024 academic year. Teachers generally supported using school gardens but reported facing problems with maintaining discipline, attracting student attention, and scheduling conflicts.
Governance failureFood educationCommunity