Research & reports

한국교원대학교, Dong-Kuk Hwang · Journal of Korean Practical Arts Education · South Korea

A meta-analysis of research papers published in Korea between 2001 and September 2017 examined the educational effectiveness of school gardens. Papers were identified by cross-searching the keywords "garden," "school," "elementary," and "early childhood," yielding 25 papers and 49 calculated effect sizes. Dependent variables were character development, dietary habit improvement, intellectual ability improvement, and environmental literacy, with study subject, number of participants, garden type, and instructional hours used as moderator variables. School garden education showed a large overall effect size, with character development showing the largest effect size among the dependent variables. Effects were largest when targeting early childhood subjects, groups of 15 or fewer, box-type gardens, and 10-15 instructional sessions. A publication bias test found some bias present, but the educational effect of school gardens remained large even after accounting for it.

Herwina · · Indonesia (Bandung)

An action research study on applying a garden-based learning strategy was conducted from April 18 to May 12, 2016, with Group B1 kindergarten children at Kartika XIX-I Kindergarten in Bandung, Indonesia. The study addressed the underdeveloped naturalist intelligence of the children, observing improvements in how they treated plants and maintained the cleanliness of the school environment. The results demonstrated that this strategy was effective in enhancing the children's naturalist intelligence.

Jae-Youl Lee · 서울도시연구 · South Korea (Seoul)

This ethnographic study examined urban agriculture practices at Nodeul Urban Agriculture Park in Seoul from March to September 2014, using participant observation and in-depth interviews. The research found that cultivation practices generate a virtuous cycle of affective agricultural production and emotional accomplishments, which are associated with practical achievements and socially conscious consumption. Emerging ethics, including rural concerns, also interact with this production-emotion cycle.

곽혜란, 김명길 · 한국실과교육학회 학술대회논문집 · South Korea

This study developed an 18-session school-based urban agriculture program for first-grade elementary school students, integrated with their curriculum, and investigated its impact on students' emotional intelligence. After applying the program, the experimental group showed a statistically significant increase in emotional intelligence scores compared to pre-tests, with positive effects observed across all five sub-domains. These findings suggest that urban agriculture education based on integrated subjects has a positive effect on improving elementary school students' emotional intelligence.

Boong Hoon Eom, Eun Jin Jang · Journal of people, plants, and environment · South Korea (Daegu)

This study investigated Daegu citizens' awareness of urban agriculture through a questionnaire administered to 328 residents from May 9-25, 2015. The cognition level of urban agriculture was found to be very low, though experienced groups reported high satisfaction and future participation intentions were very high. Motivations included 'Hobby and leisure activities' and 'Safe food production', while perceived effects included 'Safe agricultural products' and 'Change in dietary life'. Preferred types of urban agriculture included 'Rooftop garden' and 'Learning/education type home garden'.

Youjin Jang, 곽혜란 · 한국실과교육학회지 · South Korea

This study analyzed the agricultural content of the 2015 revised elementary practical arts curriculum in South Korea, comparing it with the 2009 curriculum, focusing on goals, content systems, achievement standards, and learning elements in the agriculture and life science domain. It found that while learning elements in the agricultural domain did not significantly change, the 2015 curriculum emphasized sustainable agriculture, particularly eco-friendly future agriculture and agricultural experiences in daily life, centered on the core concept of sustainability. The study suggests that future agricultural education should incorporate multi-dimensional sustainable agriculture, such as urban agriculture, local food, and eco-friendly agricultural certification, into new textbooks.

Matthew James Kararo, Kathryn Orvis, Neil A. Knobloch · HortTechnology · United States (Indiana)

The "Eat Your Way to Better Health (EYWTBH)" is a garden-based nutrition education program conducted and evaluated for three years in Indiana third-grade classrooms, aiming to educate youth about food sources and healthy eating habits. Participants started and maintained their own school gardens during the 8 to 12-week implementation, with outcomes assessed using pre- and post-program questionnaires. Results indicated that upon program completion, youth reported higher healthy food choice self-efficacy and increased variety in fruit and vegetable consumption.

Chieh-Fu Cheng, Simon Chen-Tsang Tsai, Bin-Min Sung · · Taiwan

This study in Hualien, Taiwan, applied social capital theory to investigate how social capital dimensions facilitate the development of community-based organic agriculture, focusing on an experimental green restaurant. Participant observations and in-depth interviews with 7 local organic farmers were conducted. Results revealed that the experimental green restaurant must continually fulfill various social functions (e.g., educator, information platform, resource distributor) and accumulate social capital to extend its internal ties with local farmers into relationships based on mutual trust and reciprocity.

Yong Hyun Kim, Keùn Huh, Moo Ryong Huh · Journal of people, plants, and environment · South Korea

A survey of 275 visitors was conducted at a horticultural exhibition held on the campus of G University in J city, South Gyeongsang Province, from May 2-4, 2016, to analyze satisfaction and revisit intention. Satisfaction with the flower plants section (83.7%) and docent service (78.2%) were highest, and satisfaction with activity experience showed the strongest positive correlation with overall satisfaction (0.659) and revisit intention (0.519).

Byoung-Chan Moon, Yong-tack Kim, Hyoung-seon Lim · Journal of the Korean society of earth science education · South Korea

This study investigated the application of a school garden for creative experience activities in elementary school learning programs, involving 27 fifth and sixth-grade students. A 10-unit lesson program focusing on "rocks in the school garden" was developed and applied. Results showed that the school garden is a valuable teaching/learning field, fostering students' awareness of real-life relevance, affirmative participation, and interest in learning, with most students expressing satisfaction.

Atika Krisnawati · · Indonesia

A descriptive qualitative study of the Elok Mekar Sari farmer group in Semolowaru, Surabaya, Indonesia, examining a model of community empowerment through the concept of urban farming. Surabaya's city government, through its Agriculture Office, launched the urban farming concept for densely built areas lacking large vacant land, and it has spread to 31 districts across the city, including Semolowaru; data were collected via interviews, observation and documentation using purposive sampling and analyzed using the CIPOO (context-input-process-output-outcome) approach. The results show that some elements of the CIPOO approach had not yet been fulfilled, while institutional, management, organizational and empowerment-content aspects were running well, as evidenced by an established work program; the input-process and output-outcome stages were good, evidenced by increased productivity, but the group faced problems of limited human resources and limited production space. As a change agent, the group was assessed to be at "empowerment stage II" — functioning as a partner/companion in implementing community assistance programs, evidenced by continuing empowerment activities and partnerships with both government and private-sector actors.

Moon Byoung Chan, 김용택, 임형선 · Journal of the Korean society of earth science education · South Korea

A program in South Korea developed ten lesson units centered on 'rocks in the school garden,' combining inquiry, debate and cooperative activities, and applied them to 27 fifth- and sixth-grade elementary students in classroom and school-garden settings. Students engaged actively in learning, debate and cooperation because the garden was a familiar environment, recognized that classroom knowledge related to their own lives, and reported interest because the garden setting could be reshaped by their own ideas; most students expressed satisfaction afterward and some suggested additional garden-based programs.

박은희, 유은하, 한경숙, 장윤아, 정순진, 박동금 · · South Korea

Set against the continued growth of urban agriculture, this study analyzed usage patterns among participants in a functional vegetable garden model provided for urban home gardeners, targeting users who actually grow functional home gardens to identify flaws in product type, quantity, ratio and existing problems. The largest group of users had no prior gardening education experience, while growth education supporting gardening activity reached about half; most respondents said they determine planting timing and methods themselves. Vegetables were the main plant type produced in family gardens, kimchi-related vegetables ranked highest in autumn, current flower/herb amounts were considered generally appropriate, and the most common response favored a vegetable:medicinal:flower-herb ratio of 60.5:21.2:18.3.

吴卫元, 张喜春 · 高等农业教育 · China (Beijing)

An institutional case report from Beijing University of Agriculture describing its "3+1" talent-training model (three years of foundational study plus one year of practice), developed to align with Beijing's urban agriculture sector. It describes integrating theory with practice and building school-enterprise cooperation, plus a multi-tier practical teaching platform. The university reports resulting improvements in students' professional and research abilities, higher enrollment and employment rates, and improved public reputation, based on the institution's own account.

Haeseon Chu, Eujean Jang, Chun‐Ho Pak · Journal of people, plants, and environment · South Korea

This research investigated the effects of an urban agriculture experience program on family unity, intimacy, and recognition of urban agriculture. The participated group showed a significant increase in family cohesion, unlike the control group, indicating agricultural experiences affected family cohesion. Participants also showed significantly increased recognition of urban agriculture and reported decreased stress, increased family unity, intimacy, and dialogue after the program.

LI Min-q · Zhongnan Linye Keji Daxue xuebao · China

This study explored the interactive relationship between tourists' experience, resource base, and market demand in allotment gardens in China, proposing the Resource-Market-Experience (RME) model for experiential tourism product development. Using Beijing Little Donkey Farm as a case study, the RME model was applied to develop experiential tourism products, offering proposals such as integrating superior resources and focusing on tourist needs.

Patekur Patekur · · Indonesia

A qualitative classroom action research study was conducted with class X-5 at SMA Negeri 1 Paciran, Indonesia, over two cycles. The research aimed to assess the impact of school garden observations on student achievement in Biology. The study found that the average student achievement score increased from 67.58 in the first cycle to 83.58 in the second cycle, with student mastery rising from 32.26% to 90.32%. These results indicate that school garden observations can improve students' understanding of concepts and learning outcomes in Biology.

조성, 최정민 · 한국주거학회 학술발표대회 논문집 · South Korea (Seoul)

This study surveyed 102 low-income respondents in Seoul's Shin-nae 10th apartment complex from July 1st to August 15th to inform the development of a new Welfare Community Garden model. Findings indicated that most low-income families preferred such a garden, desired nearby facilities with educational programs, and were willing to pay using a munhwa nuri card.

Widya Dwi Kharismawati · SKRIPSI Mahasiswa UM · Indonesia

This study aimed to develop an agricultural education-based learning design on the theme of urban farming to enhance 21st-century skills (creativity, digital literacy, collaboration, work ethic, and leadership) in biology students at UM Laboratory High School in Indonesia. Using the Dick, Carey, and Carey (2009) development model, learning designs and materials such as syllabi, lesson plans (RPP), supplementary textbooks, and written tests were developed. Expert and practitioner evaluations indicated high validity for the developed materials, and implementation results were also rated as high.

Wang Jing-pen · · China

This study examines a new "agriculture-education-economy" cycle model, using the Liuyiyuan Urban Agriculture Demonstration Garden in Wenzhou as an example, to promote practical education amidst agricultural upgrading and restructuring. Based on regional cultural characteristics and client psychological needs, a planning concept was proposed to integrate tourism, agricultural production, demonstrations, entertainment, science education, and leisure activities within the natural environment. The aim is to unify human activity and the natural environment.

Joo-Young 심주영Sim, Kyung-Jin 조경진Zoh · · South Korea (Seoul)

This study re-examines urban gardening as an overlooked daily culture in the urbanization process, focusing on the self-forming residential area of Haebangchon in Seoul, South Korea. It found that urban gardens in single-family housing areas function as a medium to improve the physical environment and strengthen relationships among residents. Urban gardening in Haebangchon has evolved across various spaces and attributes, reflecting changes in modern residential history and lifestyles, and contributes to unique local landscapes and community interaction.

Lai Ping Ellie Chung · · China (Hong Kong)

A qualitative case study conducted in a purposive Hong Kong kindergarten investigated the implementation of gardening workshops in school gardens and what children learned during their participation. Information was collected using unstructured observations, semi-structured interviews, documentation, and physical artifacts. The study found that children experienced less experiential learning than expected during the gardening workshops. Reasons identified included fewer choices for children, less free time for exploration and interaction with the garden environment and people, more waiting time, highly structured and controlled interactions through adult regulations, and the influence of adults' varying strategies on children's performance.

임정언, 성종상 · 한국전통조경학회지 · South Korea

This study examined the agricultural philosophy of Seogye Park Sedang and his treatise Saekgyeong (1676) from the Joseon Dynasty, considering its relevance to modern urban agriculture. The research identified four values: socio-economic for small farmers' stability and self-reliance, experiential for agricultural practice as learning, environmental for adapting to nature, and practical for sharing wisdom. These values align with modern urban agriculture's potential contributions to welfare, education, ecological restoration, and knowledge sharing.

Arga Triyandana, Mimien Henie Irawati, Ibrohim Ibrohim, Susilowati Susilowati, Endang Budiasih · Jurnal Pendidikan dan Pembelajaran Universitas Negeri Malang · Indonesia

This research aimed to develop learning tools for Ecosystem and Environmental Studies using project-based learning to support urban farming in junior high schools, following the Borg and Gall research and development model. Validation of the learning tools (syllabus, lesson plans, and modules) by instructional design experts and education practitioners showed they were valid with minor revisions, making them ready for implementation. Validation of the modules by material and media experts also confirmed their validity with only minor revisions needed.

王东升, 刘家琴 · 果农之友 · China

A journalistic feature marks the first anniversary of Beijing's first "urban agriculture science courtyard," jointly established by the Beijing and Changping soil-fertilizer stations and China Agricultural University at the Xinchengyuan fruit cooperative in Changping district. The article describes on-site visits documenting the courtyard's work extending urban agriculture technology, training new-type professional farmers, and hosting researchers and graduate students on-site to provide free, barrier-free, immediate technical services aimed at boosting strawberry yields, resource efficiency, and farmer income, without giving specific quantitative results.