Research & reports

Sze Wan Chan, Matthew G. Chin, Rachel Suss, Kiran Yan Kui, Stanley Z. Lam, Elizabeth Dowd, Calliope Bosen, Steve Mei, Kathleen Barth, Michelle Hughes, Stella S. Yi · Health Promotion Practice · United States (New York City)

A community-supported agriculture (CSA) pilot program was implemented for 38 immigrant families in Brooklyn, New York, from June to October 2022 over a 20-week period, providing Chinese-specific produce and nutrition education. Participants reported eating more and a greater variety of vegetables, and had higher vegetable intake measured via skin carotenoid scores. This pilot program may inform the adaptation of nutrition interventions to reduce inequities in chronic diseases in immigrant communities.

Adriana Flores-Guevara, María de Lourdes Hernández- Rodríguez, María Esther Méndez- Cadena · Revista Investigium IRE Ciencias Sociales y Humanas · Spain (Madrid)

This 2018-2023 study in Madrid, Spain, investigated socio-environmental phenomena in the Community Urban Gardens Network (RedHMad) to understand how they foster sustainable neighborhood development. Researchers conducted open interviews with ten participants, performed participatory observation, and reviewed RedHMad assembly minutes. Findings indicate that community urban gardens generate social cohesion and coexistence, supporting cultural, artistic, experimental, environmental education, and health activities, and facilitating social organization when needed.

Áurea Espinosa Cerón, Chacón Zavala Ángel Leonardo · Journal of Agricultural Sciences Research (2764-0973) · Mexico

This paper proposes the portable urban garden (HUP) as an innovative solution to the lack of cultivable space in large cities like Mexico City. HUPs can be placed in various urban areas, such as schools and housing units, to facilitate citizen participation in cultivation. The paper presents calculations for HUP construction, material budgets, and assembly schemes.

Lubna Taj, Tahira Yasmeen, Waqas Haidar, Qasim Ali, Muhammad Arif · Soil & Environment · Pakistan

A two-year study (2016-2017) in Pakistan's peri-urban agricultural areas investigated the impact of seasonal variations in wastewater irrigation on sugarcane. Sugarcane irrigated with wastewater showed increased antioxidant activities compared to freshwater-irrigated plants, suggesting biochemical adjustments to contaminants. Significant seasonal differences in plant mineral content were also observed, indicating that wastewater irrigation can alter plant physiology and affect agricultural output.

ke Chinelo Gloria, Eze H.C, Obasi C.J, Euphemia Afoma Ikegwuonu, Okonkwo Ngozi Nonyelum · International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews · Nigeria

To evaluate the water quality of the Obibia River in Amawbia, Anambra State, Nigeria, water samples were collected monthly and assessed for bacteriological and physicochemical parameters. The study identified multiple bacterial isolates, including Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi, and Vibrio cholerae. Notably, E. coli, S. Typhi, and V. cholerae were frequently observed in both rainy and dry seasons. These findings suggest the necessity of adequate treatment before use and periodic evaluation of the water's quality for drinking and urban agricultural purposes.

كريمة على حسن محمد, سوزان يوسف أبو الفضل, عزه أحمد صادق على · Journal of Educational Sciences - Qena Faculty of Education · Global

A study using a descriptive approach identified obstacles to the educational role of community education schools. Findings revealed obstacles across educational (e.g., low student achievement), social (e.g., low encouragement of community initiatives), cultural (e.g., low cultural level of staff), technological (e.g., lack of computer teachers), economic (e.g., weak family economic level), health (e.g., weak attention to a healthy school environment), and recreational roles (e.g., lack of school gardens).

Mayank Kaushal · · Global

This study investigates the relationship between urban form, perceptions of safety and security, and their influence on the utilization of public open spaces, including community gardens. It employs qualitative and quantitative methodologies, such as interviews, surveys, and observational analysis, to collect data on individuals' perceptions, experiences, and usage patterns. The research explores factors contributing to perceived safety and security and investigates strategies like urban design modifications and community engagement to improve these perceptions and enhance urban livability.

Mohd Nazrul Hisham Daud, Mohd Lip Jabit, Norhasni Ramli, Nur Syafini Ghazali, Joanna Cho Lee Ying, Azirah Omar · Bioresources and Environment · Malaysia

This study evaluated the nutritional quality of various vegetables from established Malaysian urban community farming. Analysis measured sugar content, gross energy, vitamin A, vitamin C, and twelve minerals (Al, B, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, S, Zn) using HPLC, calorimeter bomb analyzer, and ICP-OES. Results showed all vegetables contained at least two common sugars, with five possessing all targeted sugars, and gross energy ranged from 2900 to 3800 joule/g. Pak choy and sawi exhibited the highest vitamin A and C content respectively, while spinach showed the largest number of highest mineral types including boron, potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus.

悦来 刘, 安锌 周 · Landscape Architecture · China

To explore the healing value of community gardens from a public health perspective, a study was conducted on four projects. Through literature review and questionnaire surveys, it was shown that community gardens promote individual healing, group therapy, and the repair and reconstruction of social relationships. This effect is realized through a three-layer mechanism: natural output services and physical space creation, individual physiological and psychological healing, and social relationship repair through community network building.

Aji Saputra, Oekan S. Abdoellah, Gemilang Lara Utama · Jurnal Ilmu Lingkungan · Indonesia

A systematic literature review aiming to identify the methods used for sustainable urban agriculture in Indonesia and to assess the main opportunities and challenges of using it to achieve environmental, social, and economic goals. Using the PRISMA method, the review screened articles from the Scopus database and analysed 25 studies on the relationship between urban agriculture and sustainability. It reports that urban agriculture offers economic, social, and environmental benefits within sustainable urban environments, and concludes that realising its full potential requires coordinated efforts through policy development, community involvement, and overcoming existing obstacles.

Noga Pitowsky‐Nave, Michal Almog‐Bar, Hillel Schmid · Social Work in Mental Health · Global

This paper presents a case study of a community garden in Israel that emerged from a collaboration between a Social Service Nonprofit Organization (SSNO) providing mental health rehabilitation services and a real-estate business firm. Based on interviews with key figures, onsite observations, and document analysis, it examined the inter-organizational dynamics of this collaboration and its benefits and challenges for the SSNO and its service users. The results show that collaborating with a business can offer SSNOs benefits in financial resources and volunteers, but also involves difficulties, which were intensified in the context of a mental-health-focused SSNO.

Simone Trimmel, Stefan Wagner, Laura Feiner, M. Feiner, Daniela Haluza, Rebecca Hood‐Nowotny, Ulrike Pitha, Thomas Prohaska, Markus Puschenreiter, Philipp Spörl, Andrea Watzinger, Elisabeth Ziss, Johanna Irrgeher · Environmental Science and Pollution Research · Europe

A study of urban gardens in Vienna, Austria, building on a previous study of eleven gardens in the city that found elevated lead (Pb) levels in some soil and plant samples. This work examined the elemental composition of soil and plants from two of the affected gardens one year after compost amendment. ICP-MS analysis of tomato fruit skin, pulp and seeds showed only minor variations in elemental composition unlikely to affect food safety, whereas radishes showed a tendency toward contaminant accumulation in root tips and leaves. Washing lettuce significantly reduced levels of potentially toxic elements including Be, Al, V, Ni, Ga and Tl, underscoring the importance of washing garden produce before consumption; compost amendment was associated with reduced Zn, Cd and Pb levels in radish bulbs. Lead isotope ratios in soil and spinach leaf samples from the earlier study, assessed by MC-ICP-MS, showed a direct linkage between the Pb isotopic signatures in soil and spinach leaves, supporting their use as tracers of Pb sources in the environment.

Eva Coringrato, Katherine Alaimo, Jenn A. Leiferman, Angel Villalobos, Hannah Buchenau, Erin Decker, Lara Fahnestock, Pallas Quist, Jill Litt · Scientific Reports · United States

A process evaluation of the Community Activation for Prevention (CAPS) randomized controlled trial assessed implementation of a nine-month community gardening intervention in the United States using semi-structured interviews, direct observation of garden sites, and an exit survey. The trial enrolled 291 participants (19% non-white, 34% Hispanic/Latino, 58% with income under $50,000/year); among 145 assigned to gardening, 97 (67%) gardened the full season with a median visit time of 90 minutes per week, and of the 48% who completed the exit survey, 89% reported high satisfaction. Garden social events were offered at 73% of gardens but attended by only 48% of intervention participants; the evaluation concluded the intervention was delivered with high fidelity.

Annabel Nyole, Daphne Randall, Naserian Saruni · The Journal of Public Space · Africa

A 2024 photo essay on youth-led public space initiatives in Nairobi, Kenya; Kampala, Uganda; Freetown, Sierra Leone; and Harare, Zimbabwe. Using empirical data, it documents youth revitalizing local economies through urban farming and income diversification, and acting as stewards of green spaces in ways that enhance urban vitality, social connection, and well-being. It also reports that youth are extending their engagement into the digital sphere, advocating for internet access in public spaces as a socio-economic right.

Yunus Kara · Journal of Turkish Therapeutic Horticulture · Global

A 2024 literature review examines the relationship between horticultural therapy and ecological activism. It positions horticultural therapy as a means of ecological activism that can enhance individuals' environmental awareness while relating to improvements in mental and physical health, describing it as a practice that raises quality of life through interaction with plants and immersion in nature and supports understanding of ecosystems and the adoption of sustainable lifestyles. It identifies future research directions including examining effects across different age groups and communities, long-term impacts, and applications within community gardens.

Mahsa Tarashkar, Salman Qureshi, Zhifang Wang, Akbar Rahimi · Sustainable Futures · Asia

This study examined factors shaping preferences for front-yard greenhouse urban horticulture in Iran. It found that greenhouse design influences urban horticulture preferences, and that urban dwellers prioritize cultural ecosystem services over regulating and provisioning services when engaging in urban horticulture activities. Anticipated ecosystem services differed among socio-demographic groups, and different greenhouse elements evoked distinct perceptions of ecosystem services, though certain greenhouses were found to improve overall perception of ecosystem services due to strong correlations between different service types.

Sri Suwarni, Odilia Dea Christina, Harum Sitepu, Tessa Trimonica · BESIRU Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat · Indonesia

This 2024 community-service report documents an urban farming team's project, together with youth and elderly residents, converting unused yard land (pekarangan) in Kalisegoro village, Gunungpati district, Semarang, Indonesia, into a "Herbal Smart Garden." The activity began with training on types of medicinal plants, followed by hands-on instruction in seedling propagation using polybag media, soil preparation, and planting. Information on the plants' medicinal uses and processing is shared through an information system or e-catalog of the medicinal plants grown in the garden. The formerly idle land was put to use as a source of medicinal plants for minor ailments and for supporting residents' immunity.

G Charan Tej, P. Lakshmi, B. Savitha, A Meena · International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development · India

A study in Telangana state, India, examined the adoption of terrace gardening as a response to urban space scarcity. Adoption was found predominantly at a moderate level (48.33%), driven by enthusiasm, a desire for chemical-free produce, and cost-saving motivation, with education, health consciousness, and media exposure (notably YouTube) playing roles in uptake. Among specific practices, potting-mixture proportions and harvesting at recommended stages showed high adoption, while removing virus-infected plants ranked lower, possibly reflecting limited awareness of disease spread.

Anne-Kristin Løes, Sebastian Eiter, Tatiana Rittl · Environmental Sciences Europe · Europe

Using soil data from ten peri-urban case farms near Oslo and Bergen, Norway, this study estimated how quickly potentially toxic element (PTE) concentrations would rise in soil under intensive application of compost or digestate from food waste, composted garden waste, or horse and poultry manure applied annually to meet a theoretical carrot crop's nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium demand. Under this intensive fertilization scenario, Norwegian soil quality limits for PTEs would be reached within 20-85 years, faster in soils with more organic matter, with limits reached first for copper and zinc, both essential micronutrients. The urban waste-based fertilizers were also found to be poorly balanced in macronutrients, with rates covering potassium demand leading to high phosphorus and nitrogen surpluses. The study concludes Norway's PTE regulations are stricter than the EU's and do not support recycling organic matter and nutrients from urban waste.

Nova Southeastern University · NSUWorks (Nova Southeastern University) · United States

A description of the "Get Well" Community Garden and Eat Well Project — the Community Health Intervention Program in Neighborhood Gardens (CHIPING) — in the United States. The project's stated aim is to determine whether providing community gardens in diverse low-income neighborhoods promotes health by increasing knowledge of healthier food choices and increasing access to foods rich in micronutrients.

Eduardo Chierrito de Arruda, Gabriela Costa Alves, Catherine Menegaldi Silva, Barbara Macedo Soares de Araujo, Rute Grossi Milani · LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas) · Brazil

A study in Brazil used the Affective Map Generator Instrument to interview 40 community garden users aged 45 to 80 about their emotional experiences during gardening activities. Analysis of the images produced showed that experiences in these gardens were mediated by feelings of pleasantness, belonging and restoration, with connection to nature and social interaction as the most cited senses.

Rahul B. Hiremath, Sheelratan S. Bansode · Practice, progress, and proficiency in sustainability · India

This book chapter examines the use of treated urban wastewater to support agricultural resilience in Indian cities amid rapid urbanization that strains water supplies for farming. Using an interdisciplinary approach, it evaluates current practices, policy frameworks and stakeholder engagement to assess the practicality and efficiency of incorporating treated wastewater into urban agricultural systems, addressing both the potential benefits and the difficulties involved rather than reporting a specific measured outcome.

· Corporate Philanthropy Report · United States

The Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Sprouts Farmers Market in the United States, awarded $4 million to neighborhood elementary schools and local nonprofits through its annual grants program, funded partly by customer checkout round-up donations. Individual grants ranged from $5,000 to $10,000 across three categories: Sprouting School Gardens for school-based gardening programs, Growing Healthy Kids for community-based children's nutrition programs, and Wellness Across the Lifespan for adult health and wellness programs. The foundation has awarded more than $25 million in such grants since 2015.

Mika Saarenpää, Marja I. Roslund, Noora Nurminen, Riikka Puhakka, Laura Kummola, Olli H. Laitinen, Heikki Hyöty, Aki Sinkkonen · Environment International · Global

A one-month randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial had volunteers grow edible plants indoors during winter, when natural exposure to environmental microbiota is low, comparing a microbially diverse growing medium against a visually similar but microbially poor placebo medium. Skin microbiota and seven immune markers were measured at baseline and after one month. The diversity of five bacterial phyla (Bacteroidetes, Planctomycetes, Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria, Verrucomicrobia) and one class (Bacteroidia) increased on participants' skin in the intervention group, with no change in the placebo group, and the number of nodes and edges in skin-bacteria co-occurrence networks increased roughly three times more in the intervention group. Plasma interleukin-10 rose in the intervention group relative to placebo, with a similar trend for interleukin-17A and the IL-10:IL-17A ratio, while satisfaction and adherence were high in both groups.

Cody Gusto, Catherine Campbell, Annie Wallau, Wendy Wood · Journal of Agriculture Food Systems and Community Development · United States

With Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Extension educators in the United States seeking new audiences amid reduced enrollment and a lack of unified vision, workplace wellness and education programs are identified as an emerging opportunity, particularly to complement workplace Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs that connect local farmers and employees via employer-sponsored cost-offsets. A study assessed potential workplace wellness program participants' perceived knowledge, attitudes, and barriers to purchasing and cooking local food, and their preferred information types and program format, to guide development of a local food health and wellness education program. Respondents had positive attitudes about local food but limited knowledge of how to purchase and prepare it. They indicated that information on those topics, plus information on unusual locally grown fruits and vegetables and reducing food waste, would be most useful, and preferred online program offerings during weekday lunchtimes.