Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
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Critical findings
687 results(3 / 28)
Desarrollo de un Brazo Robótico Automatizado: Una Estrategia de Integración Transdisciplinar de los Campos del Conocimiento
2026Juana Yadira Martín Perico, Lady Alexandra Rodríguez Rincón, Daniel Eduardo Ávila Velandia, Nathalia Rincón Ortega · Ciencia Latina Revista Científica Multidisciplinar · Global
This project focused on designing a robotic arm for precision agriculture, aiming for young trainees to interact with research processes through prototyping applied to urban agriculture. Using a mixed methodology and educational approach, researchers, professors, and students engaged with processes for natural fertilizer production, soil preparation, biocontrols, and the design and development of technologies useful for urban agriculture. This initiative contributed to didactics related to prototyping, fostered an ethics of care for plants, food, and nature, and helped students recognize agriculture's link to technology and precision agriculture principles.
Digital agricultureFood educationCommunityInstitut für heimische Pflanzen und Saatgut im historischen Gutshof in Rothneusiedl
2026Buse Aksu Altiparmak · reposiTUm (TU Wien) · Austria (Vienna)
This diploma thesis presents the design for an institute for native plants and seeds at the historic Zukunftshof farm in Rothneusiedl, Vienna. The project involves comprehensively renovating and reorganizing the over one-hundred-year-old, partially used, and dilapidated building stock. The aim is to establish Zukunftshof as a sustainable location for research, conservation, knowledge transfer, and communal use, adapting its spatial structure to current and future requirements.
Heirloom & landraceFood educationCommunityEl aula de ecoinglés: uso del aprendizaje basado en proyectos para promover iniciativas de aprendizaje ambiental
2026Hazel Acosta Cadungog, Carlos Daniel Cazco Maldonado, Martha Lucía Lara Freire · Revista Multidisciplinaria Investigación Contemporánea · Ecuador
A research project in Ecuador involved 35 English teachers from four cities to promote significant learning in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classes using Project-Based Learning (PBL) with urban agriculture content. Data collected through action research revealed significant improvements in students' vocabulary development and basic sentence structure comprehension. Teachers also noted increased student engagement and interest due to the integration of real-world topics.
Food educationReal time Plant Disease detection and Classification using CNN Integrated IOT Framework
2026Pranali Nitnaware, Rina Mundle, Disha Sahastrabuddhe, Shahastrika Kamble, Himanshu Nandankar · Open MIND · Global
This paper proposes an Android application integrating plant disease detection and waste management for urban agriculture. The system uses a lightweight TensorFlow Lite CNN model to detect plant diseases from leaf images in real time and provides treatment recommendations. It also includes a module for users to submit waste complaints with images, descriptions, and GPS information, allowing administrators to monitor and update statuses via the cloud.
Digital agricultureDIYFood educationCompanion Planting as Functional Diversity
2026Svenja Baumgartinger · International explorations in outdoor and environmental education · Global
Companion planting is a natural gardening practice where crops are grown together to support each other's growth and foster relationships within a larger network of organisms. This practice contributes to biodiversity by supporting natural processes in the garden. Designing school gardens as companion planting gardens can allow students to experience biodiversity and learn about organism interactions.
BiodiversityFood educationDIYIntegrative Garden Therapy and Promoting Education for Sustainable Development – An IGT/ESD Program for Children as Part of a Community-Supported Agriculture Initiative
2026Johanna Ruh · Open MIND · Global
This study connects Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) with Integrative Garden Therapy (IGT), demonstrating how combining both approaches can deepen and expand ESD. A concept for IGT/ESD units for children aged 6-10 within a Community-Supported Agriculture framework is presented. The concepts of multiple alienation, ecophilia, ecosophy, and integrative cultural work are particularly highlighted.
Food educationHealthCSA & TeikeiCommunityThe Scientific Approach to Cultivating Scientific Attitudes in Early Childhood
2026Theresia Alviani Sum · ThufuLA Jurnal Inovasi Pendidikan Guru Raudhatul Athfal · Global
This qualitative case study, gathering data from educators at ten institutions over three months (January–March 2024), examined the implementation of the scientific approach in early childhood education under resource constraints. Findings indicate that while teachers have a conceptual grasp of the scientific approach, enactment is inconsistent, and institutions lack dedicated laboratories, leveraging natural settings like school gardens instead. Curricular goals are not consistently realized in practice, and budget and time limitations restrict experimentation and professional development.
Food educationCommunityCultivar saberes na EJA: uma revisão sistemática sobre educação, trabalho e sustentabilidade
2026Manoel Hélio Sousa Santos, Bruno Matos de Farias · RCMOS - Revista Científica Multidisciplinar O Saber · Global
This systematic qualitative literature review, following the PRISMA 2020 protocol, analyzed 20 documents to understand how recent academic production articulates education, work, and sustainability within Youth and Adult Education (EJA), focusing on school gardens. The literature recognizes gardens as a social technology that integrates ecological knowledge, cooperative practices, autonomy-building, and income generation, especially in socioeconomically vulnerable contexts. Gardens are concluded to be a powerful pedagogical device for EJA, contributing to critical environmental education, popular economy, and emancipatory practices.
Food educationWelfareCommunityEconomicsImpact of home gardens promoted among urban residents in Dhaka, Bangladesh
2025Schreinemachers P., Kumar S.S., Uddin M.N. · Food Security · Bangladesh (Dhaka)
Panel data from 679 households across four Dhaka metropolitan city corporations shows that promoted urban home gardens significantly improved vegetable production and consumption, with 85% of participants being women.
HealthFood educationEconomicsUrban Agriculture for Post-Disaster Food Security: Quantifying the Contributions of Community Gardens
2025Liu Y., Chanse V., Chicca F. · Urban Science (MDPI), Vol. 9, No. 8, Article 305 · New Zealand (Wellington)
This study quantifies Wellington, New Zealand's community gardens' capacity to meet post-disaster vegetable demand in terms of weight and nutrient content, finding current gardens insufficient alone but identifying substantial potential through expanded urban agriculture land use.
CommunityFood educationHealthPolicyOvercoming barriers to aquaponics adoption in schools: a practical implementation guide
2025· Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · Global
The study develops a practical, accessible guide for constructing small-scale aquaponics systems (plant bed, fish tank, mechanical and biological filters) tailored for educational settings.
DIYFood educationImpacts of farm to school on children's perception of food
2025· Food, Nutrition and Health · Global
A study examining the impacts of farm-to-school programs on children's perception of food.
Food educationCultivating resilient communities: The role of home/community gardening in the Illawarra–Shoalhaven region of Australia
2025Pickles, J. · Urban Agriculture & Regional Food Systems · Australia
Situational analysis of civic gardeners in peri-urban region of Australia showing food gardening contributes to health, environmental sustainability, and more equitable local food systems
CommunityFood educationBiodiversityWelfareEnhancing Youth Agricultural Literacy with Vertical Farming in Non-Formal Education Settings
2025Adhisty Puri Damayanti, Norbertus Citra Irawan, Natalia Deswita Fitriyani, Zainal Mustofa, Agustina Tri Suryaningsih, Dewi Permatasari · Journal of Community Capacity Empowerment · Global
A community service program at PKBM Cahaya Rejeki involved 20 students in hands-on workshops to build vertical gardens using recycled materials. The program aimed to improve urban youth's understanding of vertical agriculture in non-formal settings. A Wilcoxon Matched-Pairs Signed-Rank Test showed a statistically significant increase in students' agricultural knowledge, supported by field observations of increased enthusiasm and confidence.
Food educationCommunityDIYWhat Works Outdoors? A Systematic Literature Review of Nature-Based Instruction in Science Education
2025Siti Nur Diyana Mahmud, Muhammad Hanif Sainorudin · International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development · Global
This systematic literature review analyzed 58 empirical studies on nature-based instruction (NBI) in science education from 2021-2025, focusing on formal and school-linked learning settings. Most studies used qualitative or mixed-methods designs, with outcomes primarily in affective and cognitive domains. Recurring challenges included limited causal designs, short follow-up periods, and inconsistent implementation reporting.
Food educationCommunityUrban Agriculture as a Food Security Solution Through Green Economy Approach
2025Agustin Windianingsih, Wiwin Wiwin, Tanti Febrianti · Journal of Finance and Business Digital · Global
This research investigated the potential of urban agriculture to overcome food crises and impact food security. Using a mixed-methods approach (quantitative and qualitative), the study found that people practicing urban farming are supported in terms of urban farming skills, food security, creation of green open spaces, entrepreneurial opportunities, fulfillment of nutritional needs, enjoyment of fresh crops, creation of community bonds, educational benefits, and awareness for mental health and the environment.
Food sovereignty & justiceEconomicsCommunityHealthFood educationClimate changeAgricultural Crop Production in the Urban Community: Its Opportunities and Challenges
2025Ermar A. Amistas, Joedar P. Satojito, Erly M. Martir · International Journal of Science and Management Studies (IJSMS) · Philippines
This quantitative study examined opportunities and challenges in agricultural crop production within two urban school communities in the Philippines (Jalandoni Memorial National High School and Iloilo City National High School) during the 2024-2025 school year, involving 352 Grade 10 students. Students reported practical skills, improved food access, environmental awareness, and community engagement as opportunities in urban gardening, but cited limited space, inadequate skills, resource gaps, and weak support systems as challenges. No statistical relationship was found between opportunities and challenges.
Food educationCommunityHealthBonsai: The Science and Art of Miniature Tree Culture - A Review
2025M Jain · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Global
This review explores bonsai, the traditional Japanese art of cultivating miniature trees, as a blend of aesthetic philosophy and horticultural science. It examines the scientific principles, plant selection, propagation techniques, artistic styles, ecological value, and modern advancements in bonsai cultivation. The review also emphasizes bonsai's role in sustainable urban horticulture and environmental education, highlighting its ecological, aesthetic, and therapeutic benefits.
DIYFood educationBiodiversityIMPACTO DE LA AGRICULTURA URBANA EN LA CONVIVENCIA ESCOLAR Y EN EL APRENDIZAJE DE LOS ESTUDIANTES
2025Dairo Mojica-García, Marly Lorena Páez-Manosalva · DIALÉCTICA · Global
This essay explores the impact of urban agriculture cultivation on school coexistence and student learning. It addresses issues of poor school climate, including disrespect, bullying, cyberbullying, and disinterest in learning. The essay finds that urban agriculture helps students practically understand classroom concepts and encourages environmental care, collaborative work, and teamwork, thereby contributing to healthy school coexistence and learning.
Food educationCommunityComprehensive Review of Ecosystem Services of Community Gardens in English- and Chinese-Language Literature
2025Xiaoying Ding, Haotian Zhang, Xiaoxiao Fan, Xiaoyu Zhang, Xiaopeng Yue, Ping Shu · Buildings · Global
This review analyzed English and Chinese literature on community garden ecosystem services from Web of Science and CNKI, focusing on publication trends, locations, and topics. It found a significant increase in studies since 2015, concentrated in urban areas of Europe, America, and eastern China. Both language literatures emphasize food supply, learning and education, and social cohesion, correlating with contextual factors.
CommunityBiodiversityFood educationClimate changeHuerto Pedagógico Comunitario: Estrategia para fortalecimiento de la Educación Ambiental en Instituciones rurales de Colombia
2025Carmen Natalia Bermudez Acosta, Julian David Otalora López, Valentina Vásquez Ramírez · Revista Ecosistema · Colombia (Cali)
This study designed school gardens as an educational strategy in five campuses of the La Buitrera Educational Institution in Cali, Colombia, involving 1,689 students and 73 teachers. Using a qualitative participatory action research approach, it found significant differences in garden area (e.g., San Gabriel with 2,650 m² and 161.67 m²) and student concentration (e.g., García de Toledo with 579 students). The characterization revealed infrastructure and population differences, a predominance of aromatic-medicinal species, and student-teacher complementarity, indicating a need for adapted strategies for sustainable school gardens.
Food educationCommunityBiodiversityOrganic cycleSaberes y actitudes ecológicas: entre la experiencia vivida, la escuela y las redes sociodigitales
2025Limachi Pérez, Vicente · Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences (University of Skopje) · Bolivia (Cochabamba)
This study examined the influences of family, school, and sociodigital networks on environmental awareness among secondary school students in urban and rural Cochabamba, Bolivia. Data from three schools showed students' environmental concerns varied by region, and the internet was their primary information source. Despite isolated initiatives like school gardens, schools did not effectively integrate environmental education into the curriculum, limiting its formative impact.
Limited or null effectFood educationUrban–rural linkageCommunityCultivating health: the role of interventionist actions in promoting vegetable consumption among children
2025Letícia Malherbi Byczkovski, João Lucas Mota Nogueira da Costa, Daiana Novello · Caderno Pedagógico · Global
This study evaluated the effect of educational interventions on knowledge, consumption, acceptance, frequency of intake, planting of vegetables (focusing on endive), and help with culinary preparations among 260 schoolchildren aged 6 to 10 in public schools. The intervention based on setting up a school garden (G4) was the most effective, promoting a significant increase in knowledge about endive, acceptance, frequency of consumption, and involvement in planting a garden. Theoretical-practical activities (G2) and cooking workshops (G3) were effective in increasing children's knowledge of vegetables, but workshops also resulted in less willingness to try new vegetables.
Food educationHealthCommunityParticipatory science in urban soil research: A framework for overcoming challenges and expanding public engagement
2025Anna Paltseva · iScience · Global
This article presents a participatory science framework for urban soil research, engaging communities in soil monitoring and management through co-designed projects and educational outreach. The framework integrates digital tools and real-time mapping to enhance data accuracy and fosters interdisciplinary collaboration to improve urban soil health. Demonstrated through case studies, this approach aims to build capacity for sustained community involvement and equitable environmental decision-making.
CommunityPolicyBiodiversityClimate changeFood educationDisentangling food transformation narratives: a Q-method analysis on pathways to sustainable food systems and their implications
2025Meredith L. Mull, Mario Torralba · Frontiers in Nutrition · Global
This exploratory Q-methodology study investigated how university students in sustainability programs conceptualize sustainable food systems. Analysis revealed five distinct narratives, with consensus on food security and transparent governance. However, elements like urban agriculture, GMOs, and food traditions were consistently deprioritized by the participants. The findings emphasize incorporating plural perspectives and context-sensitive approaches in food system research and policy.
Limited or null effectFood sovereignty & justiceClimate changeFood educationPolicy