Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
585 results(22 / 24)
Food For Thought: The Social Impact of Community Gardens in the Greater Cleveland Area - eScholarship
2010Andrew Flachs · Electronic Green Journal · United States
This paper explores the social and cultural effects of urban gardening in the greater Cleveland area, noting that the social impact of community gardens is less studied than other benefits. The author's fieldwork found that many gardeners combine utilitarian functions with environmentalist ideology, contrary to some authors who claim that gardeners are preoccupied with economic impact, leading to a biased conclusion about motivations. The paper aims to convey the complexity of use, function, and intent in these communal spaces.
Methodological critiqueCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsHealthAn Evaluation of the California Instructional School Garden Program Grants
2010Eric L. Hazzard, Elizabeth Moreno, Deborah Lane Beall, Sheri Zidenberg‐Cherr · The FASEB Journal · United States (California)
This study evaluated the effectiveness of the California Instructional School Garden Program (CISGP) grants by surveying 749 grantee schools. It found that the development, sustained use, or expansion of gardens was less than expected (p=.01), and fewer schools than expected reported using gardens for instruction (p<.001) or to teach academic subjects (p<.003). Less than 40% of schools reported accomplishing all their garden goals with the funds.
Limited or null effectFood educationPolicyEconomicsCommunity Gardens: An Exploration of Urban Agriculture in the Bronx, New York City.
2010Michelle M Althaus Ottman, Juliana Maantay, Kristen Grady, Nério Cardoso, Nilce Nazareno da Fonte · PubMed · United States (New York City)
This project explores urban agriculture and productive landscaping in the Bronx, New York City, focusing on community gardens as an alternative to address urban problems. The study aims to describe the multiple roles of these gardens, including health-promoting, economic, environmental, and cultural benefits, and to reveal gardeners' perceptions of quality-of-life improvements. The Bronx currently hosts approximately 175 community gardens administered by Operation Green Thumb, alongside others managed by non-profits and on private property.
CommunityHealthEconomicsPolicyA Business Plan and Community Vision for a Productive Greenhouse in Seward
2010Megan Sheridan · University of Minnesota Digital Conservancy (University of Minnesota) · United States (Minneapolis)
This project aimed to facilitate the creation of a commercial urban farm in the Seward neighborhood of Minneapolis. Goals included developing a business plan for an economically viable urban farm. The project found that economic viability without foundation grants is challenging, and site control is key.
Economic viabilityEconomicsCommunityUrban–rural linkageA farmers' market in a food desert: Evaluating impacts on the price and availability of healthy food
2009Larsen K., Gilliland J. · Health & Place 15(4):1158-1162 · Canada
Evaluates a farmers' market established in a London, Ontario food desert, analyzing its effect on the price and availability of fresh, healthy food and its potential to improve local food access.
WelfareEconomicsHealthThree Non-Circulating Hydroponic Methods for Growing Lettuce
2009Kratky B. A. · Acta Horticulturae · United States
Presents three non-circulating, low-cost hydroponic methods for growing lettuce in which roots grow into a static nutrient solution with no pump, air stone, timer, or electricity required. The passive approach can be built with simple containers/tanks and reduces additional labour.
DIYEconomicsPerfil socioeconômico de feirantes brasileiros e bolivianos que comercializam hortaliças folhosas em feiras-livres no município fronteiriço Corumbá-Brasil/Bolívia
2009Mirane dos Santos Costa, Marivaine da Silva Brasil, Alberto Feiden, Adalgiza Inês Campolim · · Brazil/Bolivia
An exploratory study was conducted in the border cities of Corumbá, Brazil, and Puerto Quijarro/Puerto Suarez, Bolivia, to investigate the socioeconomic profile of Brazilian and Bolivian sellers of leafy vegetables at street fairs and their relations with urban farmers. The study aimed to identify the origin, production system of leafy vegetables, and the socioeconomic characteristics of these fair sellers and farmers, with preliminary results presented.
EconomicsUrban–rural linkageFood sovereignty & justiceCommunitySustaining Hope: A Ten-Year Plan for the Growing Hope Center
2009Rachel Chadderdon, Laura Colangelo, Joel Heeres, Brian Lipinski, Rachel Steel · · United States
This project assessed how the Ypsilanti-based nonprofit Growing Hope could best utilize its recently acquired Growing Hope Center to promote garden-related social enterprise activities. Through literature review, surveys of urban agriculture nonprofits and Ypsilanti residents, and a survey of Washtenaw County food businesses, sufficient community demand for a market gardener training program and willingness of local businesses to purchase produce were identified. The research led to the formulation of two models, the Food Security Model and the High Production Model, and a recommendation for Growing Hope to form an Ypsilanti Food Policy Council.
CommunityFood educationPolicyEconomicsDeveloping enterprise budgets for sustainable school gardens: Service learning in a global context
2009A. D. Jones, Jennie Popp · Discovery The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural Food and Life Sciences · United States
This research aims to develop enterprise budgets for sustainable school gardens as part of a service learning program at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville (UAF). These budgets are used to evaluate the costs and returns of producing crops that meet three criteria: minimal negative environmental impact, just-in-time production for school needs, and financial solvency. The research focuses on developing enterprise budgets for four crops—chili peppers, cabbage, corn, and tomatoes—and an interactive Excel® budgeting tool to evaluate revenues and expenses.
Food educationCommunityEconomics2009 Survey of Community Supported Agriculture Producers
2009Timothy A. Woods, Matt Ernst, Stan Ernst, N. C. Wright · · United States
This report summarizes the major findings from a 2009 survey of 205 Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) producers across nine states in the United States (IL, IN, OH, MI, PA, WV, KY, MO, TN). The survey focused on the business and marketing practices employed by these CSA operations. It notes the growing popularity of CSA as a direct farm marketing channel, driven by increased consumer interest in local and organic produce.
CSA & TeikeiEconomicsCommunityFood-Miles and the Relative Climate Impacts of Food Choices in the United States
2008Weber C., Matthews H. · Environmental Science & Technology · United States
Production dominates US food-related life-cycle emissions (about 83%), while all transport accounts for roughly 11% and final delivery only about 4%, undermining the assumption that local food is low-carbon and that cutting food-miles via urban growing yields large climate gains.
PolicyEconomicsThe Effect of Community Gardens on Neighboring Property Values
2008Ioan Voicu, Vicki Been · Real Estate Economics · United States (New York City)
This study estimated the impact of community gardens on neighborhood property values in New York City using a difference-in-difference hedonic regression model. The findings indicate that community gardens have significant positive effects on property values, particularly in the poorest neighborhoods. Higher-quality gardens were observed to have the greatest positive impact.
CommunityEconomicsWelfareUsing Land Inventories to Plan for Urban Agriculture: Experiences From Portland and Vancouver
2008Wendy Berry Mendes, Kevin Balmer, Terra Kaethler, Amanda Rhoads · Journal of the American Planning Association · North America
This study examined how land inventories can integrate urban agriculture into planning and policymaking for sustainable communities, using case studies of Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, British Columbia. The Portland inventory enabled integration and advanced social and ecological sustainability. In Vancouver, similar integration was achieved, but its smaller scope did little for public involvement and social sustainability.
PolicyEconomicsCommunityThe adaptive consumer: shifting attitudes, behavior change and CSA membership renewal
2008Willow Saranna Russell, Lydia Zepeda · Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems · United States (Wisconsin)
A 2008 qualitative study in Wisconsin, USA, examined attitude and behavior changes among a subset of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) members. Modified eating or cooking habits, increased consideration of food seasonality, and enhanced appreciation for farming were observed, but no "spillover" changes like reduced driving or increased use of eco-friendly products were found. The study suggests that attitude and behavior changes are generated by CSA's structural elements, not by social norms, and that demonstrated changes increase membership renewal likelihood.
CSA & TeikeiCommunityEconomicsMotivations for Participating in Community-Supported Agriculture and Their Relationship with Community Attachment and Social Capital
2008Joan M. Brehm, Brian W. Eisenhauer · Journal of Rural Social Sciences · United States
This research identifies perceived benefits, motivations, and effects of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) activity on community social capital, using quantitative data from CSA memberships in Central Illinois and New Hampshire, United States. Findings indicate that food quality is the strongest motivator for CSA members, while community building and social capital development were not significant motivators or perceived benefits. However, community attachment significantly enhanced motivations like a desire for a stronger sense of community and support for local growers.
CSA & TeikeiCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsA AGRICULTURA URBANA NA SEDE DO MUNICÍPIO DE MARECHAL CÂNDIDO RONDON
2008Paula Vergili Pérez, Mariângela Brito Freiberger, Ubirajara Contro Malavasi, Marinelva Curti, Marlene Matos Malavasi · Varia Scientia - Ciências da Saúde · Brazil
A diagnostic study in Marechal Cândido Rondon, Brazil, interviewed a sample of owners or users of 3,897 urban non-built lots to understand agricultural production. The most frequent reasons for lot use were producing vegetables and fruits for personal consumption and agricultural work for leisure. Common crops identified included cassava, corn, peanuts, beans, sweet potato, pumpkin, lettuce, orange, lemon, banana, and mango.
DIYCommunityEconomicsFrom Industrial Garden to Food Desert: Unearthing the Root Structure of Urban Agriculture in Oakland, California - eScholarship
2008Nathan McClintock · · United States (California)
This paper uses urban political ecology to explore the rise of urban agriculture (UA) in Oakland, California, where the city aims to source 30% of its food locally, partly from UA in "food deserts." The analysis argues that 20th-century industrial capital flows and racialized urban planning concentrated capital devaluation in the flatlands, leading to the creation of food deserts. Food justice activists are mobilizing through UA to counter these uneven transformations.
Equity & displacementFood sovereignty & justicePolicyEconomicsCommunityLocalizing Linkages for Food and Tourism: Culinary Tourism as a Community Development Strategy
2008Gary Paul Green, Michael L. Dougherty · Community Development · United States (Door County, Wisconsin)
This paper examined culinary tourism through a case study of the Kingdom So Delicious program in Door County, Wisconsin. The analysis was based on intensive interviews with owners/managers of four restaurants and surveys of 30 retailers and 40 farmers in the region. The most frequently cited concerns with producing for local establishments involved in culinary tourism were low prices and challenging logistics.
Economic viabilityEconomicsCSA & TeikeiCommunityFood sovereignty & justice2008 South Carolina school garden survey results
2008Laura Greenwold Derks · The South Carolina State Library Digital Collections (South Carolina State Library) · United States
A 2008 survey was conducted among 175 public and private schools in South Carolina to assess the impact of school gardens. The survey covered garden type, activities, costs, and assessment. Most responding schools indicated that students participate in the garden, suggesting opportunities for student interaction with the garden.
Food educationCommunityEconomicsFrom Industrial Garden to Food Desert: Unearthing the Root Structure of Urban Agriculture in Oakland, California
2008Nathan McClintock · eScholarship (California Digital Library) · United States (California)
This paper explores the rise of urban agriculture (UA) in Oakland, California, using an urban political ecology framework. A macro-level structural analysis of Oakland's history reveals how 20th-century industrial capital flows and racialized urban planning concentrated capital devaluation in the flatlands, ultimately giving rise to food deserts. The study suggests that food justice activists are mobilizing through UA to counter these uneven transformations, despite critiques that some urban garden programs are neoliberal, emphasizing self-betterment while filling state-left gaps.
Equity & displacementFood sovereignty & justicePolicyEconomicsCommunityFood With a Farmer's Face: Community‐Supported Agriculture in the United States
2007Steven M. Schnell · Geographical Review · United States
This abstract discusses the agrarian standard of local adaptation in farming, which asks what is the best way to farm in each of the world's numberless places, as defined by topography, soil type, climate, ecology, history, culture, and local need. It states that this standard requires bringing local nature, people, economy, and culture into a practical and enduring harmony. The text does not present findings from a study but rather a philosophical stance on agriculture.
CSA & TeikeiEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceUrban–rural linkageCommunity Essay: SPIN-Farming: advancing urban agriculture from pipe dream to populist movement
2007Roxanne Christensen · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · United States (Philadelphia)
This essay discusses the development and potential of SPIN-Farming as a tool to demonstrate the economic viability of urban agriculture, which the author began advocating for in Philadelphia in 1998. The author applied their background in helping entrepreneurs to develop SPIN-Farming, aiming to revive the farming profession and rebuild local food systems. SPIN-Farming is presented as a concept learnable across economic classes and geographical boundaries, fostering engaged agriculture.
EconomicsCommunityPolicyJovenes Junto con Ancianos para un Mejor Mañana : JJAMM Food Network
2007· · United States (Lawrence)
The JJAMM Food Network was launched in Lawrence, MA, in summer 2006 to address three community needs: health, education, and employment. The program enabled elders and teenagers to learn nutrition, fitness, gardening, and money management, grow crops in community gardens, and sell produce to local restaurants. Although initial funding was challenging, the U.S. Department of Agriculture granted funding for 2007, fostering intergenerational interaction and relationship building.
CommunityElderlyFood educationEconomicsWelfareLocal Food From Local Farms: Benefits and Opportunities
2007John Owens · Lincoln (University of Nebraska) · United States (Lincoln)
The Lincoln Journal Star published an article featuring Community Supported Agriculture Networks and a Nebraska family selling farm products at the Haymarket Farmers-Market. This article discussed the benefits and opportunities of local food from local farms.
CSA & TeikeiFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsCommunity Food Security of the Southeastern Appalachian Region of Ohio
2007Kandace M. Bletzacker, David H. Holben, John P. Holcomb · The FASEB Journal · United States
This study aimed to explore community food security (CFS) in the Southeastern Appalachian region of Ohio, United States. Using the methods of Lopez and Tchumtchoua (2005), 38 indicators of CFS were measured in the largest census areas (cities, towns, townships) within the study region. These indicators included general community characteristics, community food resources, community resource accessibility, and community food production. This research was conducted in a region where no prior studies on CFS had been performed.
Food sovereignty & justiceCSA & TeikeiEconomics