Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
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Drainage and Pedestrian Access Improvements at City Farms SLO
2026Benjamin Marc Kocher, Jacob Anthony Booker · DigitalCommons - CalPoly (California State Polytechnic University) · United States (California)
This senior project planned, designed, and constructed drainage and pedestrian access improvements at City Farms SLO, a nonprofit in San Luis Obispo, California. Prior to construction, the site experienced stormwater pooling and erosion in a central area. The team excavated an 80-foot trench drain, installed a 15-foot corrugated HDPE culvert, built a seven-foot pedestrian bridge, and created a 17-foot gravel pathway. These upgrades effectively mitigated stormwater pooling and erosion while enhancing safe pedestrian access for visitors and program participants.
CommunityFood educationOrganic cycleAttributes of Thriving School Gardens in the US
2026Jennifer Morrison Daspin, Mariela Jiménez-Rivero, Bonnie Martin, Michele Hockett Cooper, Katie Nikah, Lyndsey Waugh, J. N. Davis · Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior · United States
A cross-sectional survey of 364 US school administrators, teachers, and garden coordinators identified attributes predicting thriving school gardens. Logistic regression analyses showed that each additional subject and grade taught increased the odds to thrive by 21-22%, an annual budget over $1,000 by 42 times, and higher administrative support by 42 times. Administrative support, budget, volunteer support, and garden workdays are integral to garden sustainability.
Food educationCommunityPolicyEconomicsStrengthening urban resilience in the United States: community preferences for green rooftops integrating agriculture and solar energy
2026Natalie Meyer, Simona Trandafir · Journal of Environmental Economics and Policy · United States (Rhode Island)
A choice-based survey of over 600 US residents from Rhode Island examined preferences and perceived value for green rooftop (GR) space allocations for agriculture, solar energy, and recreation. Latent class modeling revealed that Class 1, representing 20% of respondents, was generally unsupportive of GR installation and expressed disutility towards GR space allocation for solar energy. Both classes uniformly favored allocating GR space for agriculture production and showed a positive willingness to pay for this feature.
Limited or null effectCommunityPolicyEconomicsClimate change<i>CHATBOT</i> COMO FERRAMENTA DE APOIO TÉCNICO E GERENCIAL PARA HORTAS URBANAS NO SEMIÁRIDO BRASILEIRO
2026Tiago Souza Nascimento, Valdner Daízio Ramos Clementino, João Afonso Nogueira da Silva, Paulo Henrique de Farias Martins, Douglas Santana Peixoto, Rennery Matheus Araújo Domingos · RECIMA21 - Revista Científica Multidisciplinar - ISSN 2675-6218 · Brazil
This study developed and evaluated the initial acceptability of the Hortalix chatbot as a technical and managerial support tool for urban gardens in Petrolina – PE, Brazil. The research involved all 12 active urban garden producers in the municipality. Results indicated high initial acceptance, particularly for ease of use and technical value, though structural factors like internet connectivity limitations could affect continuous use.
Digital agricultureCommunityVELOCIDADE DE DECOMPOSIÇÃO DO MATO PASTO NO CULTIVO DA CEBOLINHA
2026Marcos Antonio Vieira Batista, Anne Stefany da Silva Vieira, Josefa Aparecida Araujo Lima, Jaziel Batista Gomes, Luiz Henrique Aguiar, Helena Higino Bezerra Fernandes, Antonia Luana da Silva, Marcos Antônio Dantas · Revista Contemporânea · Brazil
An experiment conducted at IFCE - Campus – Iguatu - CE, Brazil, from April to May 2019, investigated the decomposition rate of mata-pasto (Senna uniflora) as green manure for chives (Allium fistulosum L.). Five treatments with different incorporation periods were tested. The results showed that incorporating mata-pasto 21 days before planting yielded the greatest plant height (33.7 cm), number of leaves (22.2), and aerial dry mass (1.54 g plant⁻¹), not statistically differing from 28 days before planting.
Organic cyclePeri-urban agricultureUrban Agriculture and Smart Cities: The Integration of Controlled Environment Agriculture, Community Gardens, and Public Health Policies
2026Evelyn Seilhe Guerreiro, Márcio Luis Valença Araújo, Adilson Oliveira de Almirante, Eduardo Oliveira Teles, Aloísio Santos Nascimento Filho, Hugo Saba Pereira Cardoso · Journal of Bioengineering, Technologies and Health · Brazil
This study analyzed the integration of Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), community gardens, and public health policies, using case studies from Brazilian cities such as Salvador, Recife, São Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro. CEA contributes to enhanced productivity in small spaces with reduced water and input consumption, while community gardens strengthen social cohesion, mental health, and local food supply. However, challenges remain regarding high implementation costs, regulatory gaps, and lack of institutional support.
Governance failureCommunityPolicyEconomicsClimate changeDESAFIOS E POTENCIALIDADES DA AGRICULTURA URBANA PARA A SEGURANÇA ALIMENTAR NA RMB
2026Maria de Nazareth Oliveira Maciel, Daniel Pereira Pinheiro, Luann Yago Oliveira Maciel · Veredas do Direito Direito Ambiental e Desenvolvimento Sustentável · Brazil
This study analyzed the contributions and challenges of urban agriculture for food security in three municipalities of the Belém Metropolitan Region, Brazil. Using multivariate factor analysis with 120 producers from November 2023 to February 2024, findings indicated urban agriculture ensures food security and reduces food scarcity concerns. However, the activity lacks public policy incentives for seed acquisition and land titling, hindering its advancement.
Governance failureFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsWelfareClimate change“We are all Human Beings That Deserve the Same Opportunities as Everyone Else”: Immigrant Perspectives on Health in Southeast Minnesota: A Photovoice Study
2026Abby M. Lohr, Jazlyn Vargas-Robles, Gladys B. Asiedu, Yahye Ahmed, Hana Dirie, Luz Molina, Graciela Porraz Capetillo, Josh Schachter, Mark L. Wieland, Irene G. Sia · Health Promotion Practice · United States (Minnesota)
This Photovoice study in Southeast Minnesota, US, conducted in fall 2023, collaborated with 14 Hispanic/Latino and Somali immigrant health promoters to document their health-related assets and needs. Thematic analysis revealed three themes: healthy choices, inclusion of people and cultural celebrations, and access to opportunity. Participants desired expanded community garden programming, environmental protection, accessible healthy options, access to culturally appropriate foods, and increased access to jobs, affordable housing, and healthcare.
CommunityHealthWelfareBraiding Food Systems Co-constructing Indigenous Seed Systems in Northern Ontario for Food Sovereignty, Security, and Climate Adaptation
2026Charlotte Potter, Silvia Sarapura, Camilo Jimenez Gonzalez, Justina Walker-Mohamed, Paul Benalcazer, Biinjitiwaabik Zaagging Anishinaabek, Netmizaaggamig Nishnabeg, Red Rock Indian Band · Rural Review Ontario Rural Planning Development and Policy · Canada (Northern Ontario)
The 'Braiding Food Systems' project, a community-led partnership with three Northern Ontario First Nations, used mixed-methods Participatory Action Research to examine conditions influencing food security and sovereignty. Community members identified structural constraints rooted in colonial governance, contemporary ecological pressures, and local transformation opportunities. This research demonstrates that sustained, community-led collaboration can counterbalance colonial food systems by reorganizing decisions, strengthening access, and enhancing resilience within Indigenous food networks.
Governance failureCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceClimate changePolicyMapeamento de legislações de Agricultura Urbana e Periurbana no Brasil
2026Elisa Carvalho Lauer, Jaqueline Lima Liskoski, Kelliane Da Consolação Fuscaldi · Revista Campo-Território · Brazil
This study mapped and analyzed urban and peri-urban agriculture (AUP) legislation across municipal, state, and federal levels in Brazil, identifying 217 municipal laws in 113 municipalities, 33 state laws, and federal frameworks. The research systematized normative content into twelve thematic categories, showing AUP's integration into food security, urban sustainability, and income generation agendas. While a qualitatively consistent normative basis exists, gaps persist regarding conceptual definition, area guarantees, water access, financing, and credit. It is necessary to expand and harmonize regulations across all three spheres to consolidate AUP as a structural strategy for sustainable cities.
Governance failurePolicyFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsContribuição das experiências comunitárias de agricultura urbana para o Bem Viver na cidade do Rio de Janeiro
2026Mayara Grazielle Consentino Ferreira da Silva, Carlos José Saldanha Machado · Revista da ANPEGE · Brazil (Rio de Janeiro)
This study describes and analyzes three community urban agriculture experiences in the West Zone of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from the theoretical perspective of "Bem Viver" (Good Living). Using bibliographic review, participant observation, and semi-structured interviews, the study concludes that collective political action, supported by urban agriculture, enables the creation of a new world based on mutual aid and harmony between humans and nature.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justicePolicyBelo Horizonte’s Right-to-Food Model
2026Hoyoon Jung · The International Journal of Social Sustainability in Economic Social and Cultural Context · Brazil (Belo Horizonte)
This study analyzes Belo Horizonte, Brazil's right-to-food model, which has reduced hunger and promoted social equity through integrated food policies like subsidized food programs and urban agriculture. Despite its successes, the model faces challenges in policy sustainability, financial constraints, and political continuity, and the study notes limitations including reliance on secondary data.
Governance failureFood sovereignty & justicePolicyHealthEconomicsAdvancing Resilient Biodiversity through Outreach, Repair, Education, Teamwork, Unity and Mentorship
2026Isaiah Sawyer, Reginald Andre, Yotam Shanun, Brendan Casal · Journal of International Crisis and Risk Communication Research · United States
This project, in partnership with the UCF Arboretum in the United States, involved activities such as clearing invasive vines, weeding and remulching beds in a community garden, and documenting local biodiversity across campus areas. Participants documented their service work through a culture audit to analyze the project's impact and leadership strategies. These activities contributed to building leadership skills, analytical tools, and a deeper sense of ownership over the campus's natural beauty.
CommunityBiodiversityFood education(Not) in my backyard: Access to community gardens, neighborhood characteristics, and food deserts
2025Chen H., Wang H., Bora F., Hu Y. · Cities 166:106226 · United States
Analyzes 1,874 community gardens across 24 US cities. Neighborhood race and poverty predict garden presence, but most gardens lie outside designated food deserts, limiting their capacity to address food access gaps.
WelfareCommunityPolicyDistinct Socio-Ecological Drivers Shape the Diversity of Plants, Birds, and Lepidopterans in Chicago Community Gardens
2025Domanus A., Smith A., Roberts M., Schnorenberg R., Doane M., Minor E. · Cities and the Environment (CATE), 17(2):9 · United States (Chicago)
A study of 24 community gardens in Chicago measuring not only cultivated crops but also spontaneous (wild/native) plants, birds, butterflies and bees. Gardens supported many spontaneous plant species (mean 8.4 per garden) alongside crops, which underpinned diverse fauna (18 bird species, 13 bee genera, 10 lepidopteran species). Socio-ecological drivers such as management type (allotment vs. communal) significantly shaped cultivated richness, the volume of spontaneous vegetation, and tree/shrub density — showing that how gardens are managed governs urban biodiversity.
BiodiversityPollinatorsCommunityCrop-specialized pollinator drives bee and floral community response to urbanization on small squash farms
2025Roedel J., Szendrei Z. · Urban Ecosystems · North America (urban-suburban gradient)
2025 research showing that squash bees are most abundant on suburban and urban farms compared to rural farms. Demonstrates that small-scale urban farms benefit from urban environment advantages (lower pesticide use, diverse floral resources, landscape heterogeneity), enabling bee and floral community responses to urbanization.
PollinatorsBiodiversityCommunityBoosting soil health and crop nutrients with locally sourced biochar and compost in Sacramento urban agriculture
2025· Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · North America (Sacramento, California, USA)
Field research conducted at two urban farms in Sacramento, California, USA. Investigates effects of locally produced compost and biochar amendments on soil health and plant nutrient uptake. Demonstrates feasibility of combining sustainable resource cycling with crop productivity in community-based urban agriculture systems.
CompostOrganic cycleFood educationHousehold food waste behaviors of participants in a municipal community compost program
2025Campbell C., Gusto C., Kelsey K.D., Haase H., Cohen N., Robertson K., Kiker G., Boz Z. · Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 14(2):9-26 · United States
A study in which 107 participants in a municipal community compost program in Gainesville, Florida, used a citizen-science approach to measure and record their household food waste for two weeks. Participants generated more than double the EPA's estimate (about 14 lb/week), yet 85.8% reported increased food-waste awareness and 71.5% reported reducing their waste, showing that community composting can nudge household food-loss reduction.
Food lossCompostCommunityFood educationSustainable transitions in food systems: a case study of an urban agriculture farming training program in Washington, United States
2025Soumya Keefe, Jean Lee · Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · United States (Washington)
Using an urban agriculture farmer-training program in Washington, United States, this case study examines how such programs support sustainability transitions in the food system, applying the multi-level perspective and social practice theory. It finds the program creates a space for social learning and shifts graduates' collective practices and narratives, but their capacity to change the broader food regime is curtailed without intentional state and local policy support.
Food educationCommunityPolicyA drop in the bucket: examining practice and policy for water resilient urban agriculture and urban food system resilience
2025Kristida Chhour, Maya Carrasquillo · Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · United States (San Francisco East Bay)
This mixed-methods case study of the water-scarce San Francisco East Bay maps 91 urban agriculture sites, interviews 34 stakeholders, and analyzes regional plans to examine water management and urban agriculture's resilience potential. It finds growers were the main water managers while municipalities and utilities were minimally involved, that land access shaped water access, and that institutional support to stabilize long-term land and water access is needed for greater water and food-system resilience.
PolicyCommunityEconomicsMeasuring community power: A scale to measure collective self-determination, Embodied Earth Care, and Ubuntu among urban farmers and gardeners
2025Ashley Gripper, Tori Cowger · Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development · United States
Using exploratory factor analysis on 363 respondents recruited from U.S.-based agricultural networks, this study developed a survey-based scale to capture what Black- and Brown-led food justice organizations value most about community farming and gardening. The analysis supported a five-factor structure—termed "Agricultural Community Power" (AgCPS), covering collective self-determination, community care, land-based spiritual wellbeing, embodied Earth care, and Ubuntu/interdependence—with adequate reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.93).
CommunityHealthPolicyStraw cover increases garden soil microbial biodiversity
2025Emory Walker, Mara Welty, Emma Creviston, Jacob J. Adler · Urban Agriculture & Regional Food Systems · United States (Lafayette)
This project examined how straw cover affects the soil microbiome of a community garden, using EcoPlate carbon-source utilization analysis and 16S rRNA sequencing on samples from the Erie Street GrowLocal community garden in Lafayette, Indiana. Straw cover increased soil moisture content and significantly increased bacterial alpha diversity, with a shift toward carbohydrate preference, though beta diversity showed no difference between conditions. The authors conclude that straw coverage can improve soil microbial biodiversity and moisture, potentially benefiting yields and food quality for communities.
BiodiversityOrganic cycleCommunityMarket Yield of Relay Cropped Leafy Greens in Urban Agriculture Production Systems
2025Leigh Whittinghill, Megan Goins, Shawn Lucas · HortScience · United States
This study examined how two urban agriculture production systems (raised beds and container plots) and four nutrient-management treatments (conventional fertilizer, organic fertilizer, peat-and-compost plus organic fertilizer, and peat-and-compost only) affected yields of relay-cropped leafy greens across the 2018–2019 seasons. Significant differences between systems and treatments were few and inconsistent, but results suggest small plastic-pool containers are suitable for urban greens production and tentatively support organic fertilizers and compost as a nutrient source.
CompostEconomicsOrganic cycleGarden as society: exploring the values embedded in community garden aesthetics
2025Azucena Lucatero, Madeleine Fairbairn · Agriculture and Human Values · United States (California)
Using a photovoice project and semi-structured interviews with community gardeners on California's central coast, this study investigates the values that drive community garden aesthetics. It finds that "tidiness" remains the hegemonic aesthetic, upheld by formal and informal governance and personal taste, while an alternative aesthetic the authors term "wildness" offers an ecologically valuable counterpoint—though tidiness and a sustainability orientation are not necessarily mutually exclusive.
CommunityBiodiversityCan Reuse of Stormwater Detention Pond Water Meet Community Urban Agriculture Needs?
2025Estenia Ortiz, Adriana Mayr Mejia, Emma Borely, Liam Schauer, Lena Young Green, Maya Trotz · Sustainability · United States (Tampa)
Motivated by a community's desire to co-locate community gardens with stormwater pond spaces, this study monitored water quality of a 23.4-hectare stormwater detention pond in East Tampa, Florida over one year and compared it to US EPA reuse recommendations and water quality criteria. pH and conductivity were acceptable for irrigating crops and heavy metals were below maximum reuse levels, but E. coli concentrations exceeded irrigation requirements and synthetic organic compounds exceeded human health criteria.
CommunityOrganic cycleHealth