Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
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Effect of Experience-based School Learning Gardens Professional Development Program Workshop on Teachers' Attitudes towards Sustainability Education
2013Jan Ray, Koh Ming Wei, Diane M. Barrett · · United States (Hawaiʻi Island)
This study examined the effect of a week-long teacher training workshop, part of a year-long School Learning Gardens Professional Development Program, on 29 classroom and school learning garden teachers in Hawaiʻi. Teachers' attitudes toward sustainability education were measured before and after the workshop. Findings showed a statistically significant increase in teachers' overall attitudes toward sustainability education, including aspects related to productivity and comfort.
Food educationClimate changeCommunityRoots, Tendrils, Sprouts and Shoots: A Case Study of Parkallen’s Community Garden, a permaculture project
2013Marlene Wurfel · Earth Common Journal · Canada (Edmonton)
This article presents a case study of the Parkallen Community Garden in Edmonton, Canada, which began its first growing season in Spring 2012. The garden transformed an unused strip of lawn into a communal "edible food forest" and won the City of Edmonton's top community gardening award in its first year. The study details how the permaculture design was implemented and interpreted within the gardening community.
CommunityDIYFood educationOrganic cycleGardening for Grades Workshops in Duval County
2013Terry B DelValle, Lisa B Gaskalla, Joan B Kyle · · United States (Duval County)
Duval County Extension, in collaboration with partners, offered "Gardening for Grades" workshops to 71 teachers and school volunteers in Duval County, USA, to support school garden initiatives. Participants engaged in activities linking science, math, and literature to gardening, and received materials to start school gardens. Follow-up surveys indicated 12,214 sq ft of garden area was added, benefiting 2,292 students, with 92.9% of students exposed to new foods and 64.3% showing improved eating habits and increased physical activity.
Food educationCommunityHealthTheorising community gardens as pedagogical sites in the food movement
2012Pierre Walter · Environmental Education Research · United States
This paper argues that community gardens in the North American food movement serve as rich non-school sites for informal adult learning, despite being under-researched in environmental education. It proposes applying theories of public pedagogy and social movement learning from Adult Education to frame the study of learning within these gardens. The paper reviews empirical research on the benefits of community garden participation to illustrate the potential for further research on the link between learning and these benefits.
CommunityFood educationCommunity Supported Agriculture: A Commitment to a Healthier Diet
2012Joseph N. Cohen, S. Gearhart, Elizabeth Garland · Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition · United States (New York City)
A prospective cohort study in New York City investigated whether Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) participation increased fruit and vegetable consumption and home-cooked meals. Among 583 individuals who completed both surveys, CSA members showed a statistically significant increase of 2.2 servings of fruit and vegetables per week and 4.9 home-cooked meals per month compared to non-members. CSA participation was also associated with subjective reports of increased fruit and vegetable consumption.
CSA & TeikeiHealthFood educationDeveloping Justice-Oriented Teachers: Reciprocal Mentoring in Marginalized Communities
2012Joan Armon, Elizabeth Grassi · ePublications at Regis University (Regis University) · United States
This study describes two initiatives aimed at developing justice-oriented pre-service teachers. "Study Abroad in the Neighborhood" involves pre-service teachers visiting local families to learn Spanish language and culture. "Environmental Regeneration through Permaculture Food Gardens" focuses on pre-service teachers and children constructing school gardens linked to curriculum, food cultures, and health. These community contexts aim to enhance pre-service teachers' cultural and environmental awareness of local injustices.
Food educationCommunityHealthAgricultura urbana agroecológica - estratégia de promoção da saúde e segurança alimentar e nutricional - doi: 10.5020/18061230.2012.p381
2012Silvana Maria Ribeiro, Elaine de Azevedo, Maria Cecília Focesi Pelicioni, Cláudia Maria Bógus, Isabel Maria Teixeira Bicudo Pereira · Revista Brasileira em Promoção da saúde · Brazil
This documentary research reflected on agroecological urban agriculture in relation to health promotion and food and nutritional security, involving local communities. Data synthesis, based on reports, field activity records, participant testimonies, and project coordination interviews, revealed that agroecological urban agriculture contributed to community leadership, popular participation, and the development of food and environmental awareness among social actors. Conclusions identified relevant aspects aligned with health promotion principles, including strengthening intersectorality, local empowerment, individual and collective agency, creating healthy environments, and community mobilization.
Food sovereignty & justiceHealthCommunityFood educationCafeteria Man
2012Barb Bergman · Educational Media Reviews Online · United States (Baltimore)
The film "Cafeteria Man" follows Tony Geraci, Food and Nutrition Director for Baltimore schools, as he works to improve school lunch quality. It highlights how local fresh foods benefit students and farmers, and how school gardens provide learning opportunities for students in urban neighborhoods. The film also touches on obstacles to improved school lunch, including schools not receiving purchased fresh produce.
Food educationHealthCommunityEconomicsDesigning Nature for Learning: School Gardens for Youth and Child Education
2012Sarah A. Moore, Morgan Apicella, Sallie A. Marston, Moses Thompson · Children Youth and Environments · United States (Tucson)
An ongoing project in Tucson, Arizona, provides university interns to K-12 schools to build and maintain school gardens and facilitate learning about the environment and sustainability. Based on experiences at Manzo Elementary, a project school in a low-income, mixed-race neighborhood, the program evaluates the effectiveness of school gardens as a tool for experiential learning and describes obstacles encountered and overcome.
Food educationCommunityThe Effects of Nutrition Education and Gardening on Attitudes, Preferences, and Knowledge of Minority Second to Fifth Graders in the Rio Grande Valley Toward Fruit and Vegetables
2012Geralyn A. Nolan, Amy McFarland, Jayne M. Zajicek, Tina M. Waliczek · HortTechnology · United States
Research was conducted with 141 minority elementary school children in a primarily Hispanic region of Texas to investigate whether gardening combined with a curriculum on nutrition could benefit them. After comparing pre- and posttest scores, it was concluded that gardening and nutritional instruction had a positive effect on students' nutritional knowledge, fruit and vegetable preference, and snack choices.
Food educationHealthCommunityEffective Leadership to Alter School Food Environments and Improve Public Health
2012Philip R. McNab · Florida public health review · United States
This article discusses the need to alter school food environments in the United States, where children consume too much fast food and insufficient fruits and vegetables, contributing to rising overweight rates. It suggests school gardens as a multifaceted approach to address this issue. The article emphasizes that strong, effective leadership, following John Kotter's eight steps, is crucial for schools to overcome obstacles and implement changes that improve public health.
Food educationHealth11072 - Instalação de hortas orgânicas em escolas públicas de ensino fundamental e médio de Solânea, PB
2012Germano Laurentino da Cunha, Adriana Celi Alves Martins, Maria José Araújo Wanderley, Raunira da Costa Araújo, Terezinha Domiciano Dantas Martins, Francisca Alexandre de Lima · Cadernos de Agroecologia · Brazil (Solânea)
This project aimed to establish organic vegetable gardens in public elementary and high schools in Solânea, Paraíba, Brazil. Funded by CNPq, the initiative involved installing 14 garden beds with various vegetables in each participating school. Students received mini-courses on organic vegetable production, and participated in making compost and biofertilizers. The target audience demonstrated receptiveness and support for the work.
Food educationCommunityCompostOrganic cycleCommunity-Engaged Learning in Food Systems and Public Health
2012Julie L. Self, Becky Handforth, Janelle Hartman, Corey McAuliffe, Elizabeth Noznesky, Rebecca J. Schwei, Laura Whitaker, Amanda Wyatt, Amy Girard · Journal of Agriculture Food Systems and Community Development · United States
A student-driven, community-engaged learning course was developed to enhance student understanding of complex food system determinants and food choices. The course, guided by the socio-ecological model, involved students collaborating with faculty and community partners to define its objectives and curriculum. It featured student-led modules on food preferences, agriculture systems, food access, and agricultural policy, alongside community-engaged research projects that examined food distribution models in metro Atlanta and identified strategies to improve access to healthy food in low-income areas.
Food educationCommunityHealthPolicyCSA & TeikeiThe Application Of Food Landscape In Johns De La Howe School
2012Shuowei Qin · TigerPrints (Clemson University) · United States
This research explores the concept of "food landscape," which integrates edible plants into landscapes under a new ecological paradigm to address issues of food transportation energy consumption and land degradation. Through an intensive literature review, the study discusses the origin, rationale, and benefits of food landscape, drawing upon the new ecological paradigm and edible landscape concepts. The findings will be applied to Johns de la Howe School, also incorporating the concept of therapeutic gardens to develop design principles for successful food landscape implementation.
Food educationHealthBiodiversityProducing for the Future: A Collaboration between Low-Income Youth, Congregations, and Researchers - Youth Impact Evaluation
2012Lacy Weinblatt, Sarah Najdek · · United States (Oregon)
The Oregon State University research project "Producing for the Future" involved low-income youth, adult partners, and researchers collaborating to design and plant a community garden and develop a microenterprise to market produce. The project aimed to compare participants' knowledge and attitudes regarding local food resources, gardening, organic eating, and healthy lifestyles before and after their involvement. This study used data to analyze changes among participants pre and post-experience, but specific findings are not reported.
CommunityFood educationHealthWelfareSchool Gardens: Ripe with STEM and Experiential Learning; Fertile Soil for Agricultural Program Growth
2012Shannon Lawrence, John Rayfield · The Agricultural education magazine · United States
This article discusses the merits and potential of incorporating school gardens into agricultural education programs in the United States. It notes that school gardens, a national movement since 1891, offer opportunities for agricultural literacy, community outreach, and STEM integration. The ideas presented are based on conversations with agriculture teachers, observations, experiences, and reflections.
Food educationCommunityCSA & TeikeiThe Learning Gardens Laboratory: Teaching Sustainability and Developing Sustainable Food Systems Through Unique Partnerships
2012Heather Burns, Weston Miller · Journal of Agriculture Food Systems and Community Development · United States (Portland)
The Learning Gardens Laboratory (LGL) in Portland, Oregon, a partnership between Portland State University and Oregon State University, develops garden-based education programs to advance sustainable food systems and sustainability education. LGL's pedagogical principles, drawn from permaculture and ecological design, include interdisciplinary and place-based learning. The paper discusses these principles in relation to LGL's educational programs, highlighting the Beginning Urban Farming Apprenticeship and Lane Middle School Garden-Based Education programs.
Food educationCommunityOrganic cycleClimate changeImpact of the Use of Produce Grown in an Elementary School Garden on Consumption of Vegetables at School Lunch
2012Nancy Cotugna, Carolyn K. Manning, James DiDomenico · Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition · United States
This study investigated the impact of offering produce grown in an elementary school garden at school lunch on children's vegetable consumption, using a quasi-experimental design and cafeteria observations. The results showed that providing garden produce at school lunch had a small positive impact on children's food choices.
Food educationHealthEducating for Environmental Literacy in America's Public Schools
2012Annie L Stoller-Patterson · Scholarship @ Claremont (The Claremont Colleges) · United States
This paper explores how education for environmental literacy can be integrated into America's public school system. It investigates the benefits of environmental education and how green school buildings, sustainable cafeterias, school gardens, and environmental education curriculum can be used to teach for environmental literacy at all grade levels. A sample lesson plan is included.
Food educationCommunityRohrbach Library Home: 2013 Kutztown University School Garden Workshop: Home
2012Dan Stafford · · United States
This record describes the 2013 Kutztown University School Garden Workshop, an event designed as a learning opportunity for educators and parents. The workshop featured speakers and demonstrations focused on fostering sustainable community partnerships through school gardens.
Food educationCommunityCharacterization of Urban Agricultural Practices and Gardeners' Perspective in Bronx Community Gardens, New York City.
2012Michelle Melissa Althaus Ottmann, Juliana Maantay, Kristen Grady, Nilce Nazareno da Fonte · Cities and the Environment · United States (New York City)
This study investigated urban agricultural practices and gardeners' perceptions in community gardens in the Bronx, New York City, United States, using semi-structured interviews, garden observations, and GIS spatial analysis of socio-demographic characteristics. GIS analysis revealed a significantly higher rate of poverty and Hispanic population in block groups within a quarter mile of the community gardens. The gardens were characterized as places for socialization, fresh produce, neighborhood beautification, and education, and gardeners valued family/community time, nature, and therapeutic benefits, but expressed fears of losing the gardens due to lack of city protection and developer take-over.
CommunityFood educationHealthWelfareImplementing Service-Learning as a Pre-Service Teacher
2012Amber Fessler · ScholarWorks@BGSU (Bowling Green State University) · United States (Ohio)
This project explored service-learning in middle school math in Findlay, Ohio, during the 2010-2011 school year, focusing on a pre-service teacher's experience. It addressed challenges and possibilities for pre-service teachers implementing service-learning as part of their educational preparation. The project involved engagement in a math classroom, design and implementation of a service-learning project, and reflection.
Food educationCommunityNEBLINE, May 2012
2012· Lincoln (University of Nebraska) · United States
The May 2012 issue of NEBLINE features Lincoln's Biosolids Land Application Program, which is 20 years old. It also covers topics such as urban agriculture, food and fitness, home and family living, horticulture, environmental focus, 4-H and youth, community focus, and extension news and events.
Urban–rural linkageFood educationCommunityHortas em escolas urbanas, Complexidade e Transdisciplinaridade: Contribuições para a Educação Ambiental e para a Educação em Saúde
2012Elizabete Cristina Ribeiro Silva, Alexandre Brasil Carvalho da Fonseca · LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas) · Brazil (Rio de Janeiro)
This study discusses the multidimensionality of agriculture and its interfaces with environmental and health education, based on perceptions from social actors in a school and an extension unit belonging to the Municipal Network of Rio de Janeiro. Agricultural activities are suggested as a pedagogical tool to facilitate complex thinking and transdisciplinarity, and to perceive food and environment as interconnected transversal themes. School gardens are re-qualified for urban spaces based on agroecological urban agriculture principles.
Food educationHealthCommunitySustainable School Gardens and Green Education: Familiar Lessons through a New Lens
2012Arvazena E. Clardy, Brian R. Copeland · The Agricultural education magazine · United States (Nashville)
This article advocates for implementing sustainable school gardens in agriscience education programs, drawing on the author's experience as a former educator and current work with middle and secondary schools in Nashville, Tennessee. It suggests that school gardens can cement learning for students and address issues like food deserts and childhood obesity in inner-city areas.
Food educationCommunityHealthWelfare