Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
11393 results(271 / 456)
Entre movimentos sociais e políticas de agroecologia urbana e na cidade de São Paulo
2018Lya Porto, Giulia Giacchè, Gustavo Nagib · · Brazil (São Paulo)
This article analyzes the interrelations between social movements and agro-ecological urban agriculture policies in São Paulo, Brazil. It examines three types of movements: the activities of urban farmers, the network formed by the São Paulo Urban Movement on Agro-ecology, and the actions of groups involved in political pressure and advocacy.
PolicyCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceAgricultura urbana e construção da paisagem: a agricultura urbana como elemento (ou parte constituinte) da construção da paisagem
2018Fernanda Teixeira Gorski · · Global
This paper addresses the use of underutilized urban land for agriculture, noting that such land incurs significant financial and social costs for public infrastructure, maintenance, and cleanliness. It aims to explore how urban agriculture can contribute to building and qualifying the urban landscape.
CommunityEconomicsUrban–rural linkageProjeto CASA UFRJ – Comunidade Acadêmica que dá Suporte à Agricultura: uma experiência de aproximação entre produtores e consumidores na Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro.
2018Paula Fernandes de Brito, William John Hester, Tomé de Almeida e Lima, Lorena Monteiro dos Santos, Luísa Pinheiro, Jonathan Henrique da Silveira de Barros · Cadernos de Agroecologia · Brazil
This paper reports on a 2016 pilot project at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) to structure a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) initiative. The project involved farmers and the academic community, aiming to foster agroecological knowledge through weekly food basket deliveries. A key finding was the limitations in attracting diverse groups from the academic community, despite the interest shown by participating farmers, staff, and "prosumers."
Limited or null effectCSA & TeikeiCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsAquaponic System: A sustainable production form in Family Farming and periurban area
2018Renan Borro Celestrino, Silvia Cristina Vieira · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · Global
This study surveyed the implementation cost and presented the step-by-step operation of small-scale aquaponic systems for family agriculture and peri-urban areas. As a descriptive and experimental research, a practical experiment involved feeding 27 kg of fish, with their waste nourishing 144 Crespa Lettuce seedlings. The findings suggest that aquaponic systems tend to be a sustainable alternative due to low implantation costs, practical management, and healthier production from organic plant nutrition and the non-use of chemicals.
Peri-urban agricultureDIYClimate changeUnderstanding Urban Farm households Vulnerability to Economic shocks in South-South Nigeria
2018Ubokudom E. Okon, Kesit Nkeme, Ubon Asuquo Essien, Chukwuemeka Chiebonam Onyia · American Journal of Business and Management · Nigeria
This study assessed the economic vulnerability of 289 urban farm households in three states of South-south Nigeria using vulnerability index analysis. The results indicated a high level of economic vulnerability among urban farmers, primarily caused by lack of access to formal credit, lack of land, low asset value, and low farm income. Households entirely dependent on farm income were 66% more likely to be vulnerable to economic shocks.
Economic viabilityEconomicsWelfareClimate change都市農業地域の6次産業化におけるソーシャル・キャピタルの重要性 : 愛知県長久手町（現長久手市）の取り組みを事例として
2018Ryo Kawabe, Hiroshi Sakazume · Institutional Repositories DataBase (IRDB) · Japan (Nagakute City)
This paper analyzes the importance of social capital in the sixth industrialization of urban agricultural areas, using a case study from Nagakute-cho (now Nagakute City), Aichi Prefecture, Japan. The study found that the sixth industry is an efficient strategy for managing and demonstrating the multiple functions of urban agriculture, farm villages, and agriculture itself, with social capital being a crucial driving force. Nagakute City's initiatives, based on the "Countryside Valley Initiative," were successful, leading to the emergence of an integrated form of social capital combining government-led bonding with bridging among various local residents.
EconomicsCommunityPolicyUrban–rural linkageResearch Methodology
2018Kwaku Obosu-Mensah · · Ghana (Accra)
This research was planned to study urban agriculture in Accra, Ghana, due to a lack of published work and personal interest. The study is interested in social inequality influencing farm location choice, how new migrants adjust to urban cultivation, and factors compelling government officials to change their attitude towards urban agriculture.
WelfarePolicyCommunityUrban–rural linkageImpact of wastewater-irrigation on in-household water contamination. A cohort study among urban farmers in Ahmedabad, India
2018Timo Falkenberg, Deepak Saxena, Thomas Kistemann · The Science of The Total Environment · India (Ahmedabad)
A cohort study investigated the contribution of wastewater irrigation to in-household water contamination among urban farming households in Ahmedabad, India, within the context of WASH (Water, Sanitation, Hygiene). Drinking water samples from 204 households were collected four times over 12 months, and E. coli was quantified. Significant positive differences in water quality between point-of-source and point-of-use samples were identified in 78% of households. During the monsoon, the peak of contamination, only 6% of households had access to safe drinking water at the point-of-use. Wastewater irrigation showed an adverse effect on in-household water contamination, with an effect size larger than the mitigation effect of access to sanitation or personal hygiene.
Contamination & food safetyHealthTemporal Dynamics and Motivations for Urban Community Food Gardens in Medium-Sized Towns of the Eastern Cape, South Africa
2018Sky Roberts, Charlie M. Shackleton · Land · South Africa
This study investigated urban community food gardens in four towns in South Africa, using surveys and GIS analysis over three decades. It found that common motivations included cash poverty (37%) and the need to grow food (34%), with reported benefits such as a healthy lifestyle (58%) and food consumption (54%). A significant challenge was theft of garden infrastructure or produce, and there were declines in the number and area of urban community gardens, with only 16% of gardens from the 1980s still operating in the 2000s.
Limited or null effectCommunityHealthEconomicsPolicyAVALIAÇÃO DAS POTENCIALIDADES PARA A AGRICULTURA URBANA NO ENTORNO DA UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL RURAL DA AMAZÔNIA (UFRA), MUNICÍPIO DE BELÉM (PA)
2018Laila Pacheco, Fabrício Khoury Rebello, Marcos Antônio Souza dos Santos, Paulo Fróes Júnior, Silvana Venâncio da Silva · Agrarian Academy · Brazil (Belém)
An analysis of urban agriculture potential was conducted in the Montese neighborhood of Belém, Brazil, through interviews with 40 residents from April to August 2018. The study found that 42.5% of respondents practiced urban agriculture, but the main limitation for its development was a lack of technical guidance and incentives. Broad partnerships involving community leaders, city hall, and universities are needed to overcome these technical, logistical, and infrastructure demands.
Governance failureFood sovereignty & justiceCommunityEconomicsTotal and Bioaccessible Soil Arsenic and Lead Levels and Plant Uptake in Three Urban Community Gardens in Puerto Rico
2018John Misenheimer, Clay Nelson, Evelyn Huertas, Myriam Medina-Vera, Alex Prevatte, Karen D. Bradham · Geosciences · Puerto Rico
Total and bioaccessible arsenic (As) and lead (Pb) levels, and their uptake by 10 commonly grown garden plants, were examined in three urban community gardens in Puerto Rico. Total As ranged from 2 to 55 mg/kg and Pb from 19 to 172 mg/kg in soils. Leaves accumulated higher concentrations of As and Pb than edible flesh, with culantro leaves showing the highest concentrations (3.2 mg/kg dw As, 8.9 mg/kg dw Pb).
Contamination & food safetyCommunityHealthOrganic cycleUrban agriculture and its role in the sustainable city - mini review.
2018Antoinette WinklerPrins · CABI Reviews · Global
This mini-review argues that urban agriculture is an essential component of sustainable cities. It states that urban cultivation addresses the core elements of sustainability: economics, environmental issues, and social justice. Therefore, urban agriculture should be considered fundamental infrastructure in the design of future sustainable cities.
EconomicsClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceDistribuição e dinâmica de ocupação socioespacial de iniciativas em agricultura urbana e periurbana do município de petrolina-pe, semiárido brasileiro
2018Lucas Ricardo Souza Almeida, Hélder Ribeiro Freitas, Ícaro Cardoso Maia, Rita de Cássia Rodrigues Gonçalves Gervásio, José de Alencar Peixoto Filho · Cadernos de Agroecologia · Brazil (Petrolina)
This study mapped urban community vegetable gardens in Petrolina, Brazil, using GPS and ArcGis software to understand their distribution and socio-spatial occupation. Results showed fewer gardens in the city center, with the majority located in peripheral areas, predominantly on public land, especially in schools. More recent urban and peri-urban agriculture initiatives have been established on private land.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsPeri-urban agricultureFood educationFarm Fresh Foods: What to Know About Growing and Selling Produce in Buffalo
2018Colleen Roberts · eCommons (Cornell University) · United States (Buffalo)
This document details local regulations for market and community gardens in Buffalo, including rules for selling produce. It provides tips for locating suitable sites for food gardens and outlines educational opportunities for growing and selling. Topics such as plant selection and soil safety are also addressed.
PolicyFood educationCommunityEconomicsNon-traditional grains for a balanced diet
2018Aneta Popova, Dasha Mihaylova · Bulgarian Portal for Open Science · Europe
This article discusses the role of grains in a balanced diet, noting that non-traditional grains are increasingly available commercially and reflect a broad interest in diverse food genres. These grains are frequently cultivated in home, allotment, and community gardens, often connected to the ethnic ancestry of the growers.
DIYCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceKey Program Outcomes for K-12 School Gardens Identified Through Expert Consensus
2018Susan Webb, John Diaz, Catherine Campbell · EDIS · United States
This article presents results from a Delphi study, which is the first step in developing a comprehensive set of indicators for K-12 school garden programs. The study addresses the lack of an outcome-driven framework for support organizations, such as Extension, to evaluate the short, medium, and long-term outcomes of school garden activities.
Food educationCommunity‘It’s not therapy, it’s gardening’: community gardens as sites of comprehensive primary healthcare
2018Pauline Marsh, Sebrina Brennan, Miriam Vandenberg · Australian Journal of Primary Health · Australia
Researchers at the Centre for Rural Health, University of Tasmania, used a participatory research framework to explore the potential of Community Gardens to function as comprehensive primary healthcare (CPHC) environments. Therapeutic features of Community Gardens and their correlations with CPHC were identified, concluding strong synergies between the aims and activities of Community Gardens and CPHC. Augmenting the therapeutic capacity of these sites requires adequate resourcing, skill development, suitable design, funding, policy support, and innovative partnerships with health professionals.
CommunityHealthPolicySession J: Debating the inclusion of animals in the Urban Farming Movement in Detroit
2018Michelle Marie Proctor · · United States (Detroit)
Urban agriculture programs in Detroit have seen many urban farms begin to include animals, sparking policy and ethical debates. Supporters claim animals accelerate land remediation, fertilize and aerate soil, and improve petroleum-polluted soils. However, opponents point to problems such as botched slaughters and lack of animal welfare oversight, arguing that backyard animal husbandry should be regulated in the best interests of the community and animal welfare.
Governance failureCommunityPolicyFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsKnowledge and Experience Related to Community Supported Agriculture and Local Foods among Nutrition Educators
2018Rebecca A. Seguin‐Fowler, Jared T. McGuirt, Stephanie Jilcott Pitts, Jennifer Garner, Karla L. Hanson, Jane Kolodinsky, Marilyn Sitaker · Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition · Global
This qualitative study examined nutrition educators' (n=20 in telephone interviews, n=17 in focus groups) experiences, knowledge, and beliefs about local foods. Most educators identified as local food advocates, but few had direct experience with Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). Variability across seasons, financial issues, and risk of spoilage were identified as challenges of using seasonal, local foods within programming.
CSA & TeikeiFood educationCommunityHealthGardener Well-Being along Social and Biophysical Landscape Gradients
2018Monika Egerer, Stacy M. Philpott, Peter Bichier, Shalene Jha, Heidi Liere, Brenda B. Lin · Sustainability · United States (California)
This study investigated the role of community gardens in providing human well-being benefits across three counties in the California Central Coast. Multiple aspects of self-reported gardener well-being were measured in relation to the social opportunities of surrounding neighborhoods and the biophysical features of the landscapes where gardens were embedded. The results documented improvements in gardener well-being through gardening across social and biophysical gradients. Gardeners were motivated by diverse reasons, including connecting to nature, improving food access, or enhancing time spent with family.
CommunityHealthFood sovereignty & justicePiloting an observation tool for the Garden to Table Program to assess education of underserved youth in Omaha, Nebraska
2018A. Gargano · Graduate Medical Education Research Journal · United States (Omaha)
A pilot study was conducted in Omaha, Nebraska, to assess the effectiveness of The Big Garden's "Garden to Table" program, which teaches students in five Omaha Public Schools how to grow, harvest, cook, and preserve crops. A direct observation tool was developed and piloted at one site to record children's attitudes, knowledge, and behavior towards fruits and vegetables during lessons.
Food educationCommunityHealthWastescape : stitching the process of natural decomposition back into the public realm
2018Pei Yu · Digital Commons - RISD (Rhode Island School of Design) · United States (New York City)
This research explores waste management in New York City, the world's most wasteful city, seeking ways to bring waste back into the city and connect people with it. Phase I investigates the composition, quantity, and mobility of NYC's waste management, while Phase II focuses on organic waste and the potential of vacant lots in Lower East Manhattan. Phase III proposes a composting park on the East River, engaging residents in various stages of waste management, and aims to connect urban residents to collective waste and the biome's power to transform organic waste into soil, food, and a new life cycle.
CompostOrganic cycleCommunityFood lossThe Role of Urban Agriculture on Livelihood in Bariadi Township Simuyu Region Tanzania
2018Magreth Bushesha · Huria Journal of the Open University of Tanzania · Tanzania
This descriptive study examined the role of urban agriculture as a livelihood option in Bariadi township, Simiyu region, Tanzania. Findings showed that horticultural produce was most common, followed by livestock products. Urban agriculture contributed up to 25% of households' income in the township. Major challenges included poor markets, water shortage, land shortage, seed unavailability, lack of capital, and lack of government support.
EconomicsCommunityGlobal urban agriculture; convergence of theory and practice between north and south de Antoinette Winklerprins
2018Martha G. Bell · Espacio y Desarrollo · Global
This abstract introduces urban agriculture (AU) as an ancient practice that has gained significant attention recently from the general public, academics, and municipal authorities. It notes that various sources contribute to this increased focus. The abstract is incomplete, ending abruptly.
CommunityPolicyGreening a Food Desert
2018Ivana George · Journal of international women's studies · United States (Miami)
The documentary film "Greening a Food Desert" showcases Cerasee Farm, an inner-city farm in Liberty City, Miami, Florida, a neighborhood designated as a "Food Desert" by the USDA. The film illustrates how community member Roger Horne established this urban farm to provide residents with affordable produce, gardening training, and nutrition and environmental education. It also features stories from other community members about the farm's impact on their lives and the community.
HealthFood educationCommunityWelfare