Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
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Plant and Pollinator Diversity and Protection in School Gardens
2026Stefan Jarau · International explorations in outdoor and environmental education · Global
This chapter introduces the co-evolution of flowering plants and pollinating animals, highlighting their adaptations and the challenges of observing these interactions in human-made environments. It suggests that school gardens can serve as important sites for biodiversity conservation by providing habitats for diverse flowering plants and pollinators. Additionally, school gardens can engage students, fostering their interest and motivation to study natural wonders, and the chapter offers suggestions for promoting plant and pollinator diversity and using these interactions for educational purposes.
Food educationBiodiversityPollinatorsEffect of Applying the Outdoor Learning Process on Concept Understanding and Scientific Attitude
2026Istanti Yuli Astuti, Djukri Djukri · Journal of Science Education Research · Global
This quasi-experimental study investigated the effect of outdoor learning on concept understanding and scientific attitude in 64 Grade X students at SMA Negeri 1 Jetis, Indonesia. Students in the experimental class (X1) engaged in outdoor learning in a greenhouse and school garden, while the control class (X2) did not. The results showed that the outdoor learning process significantly improved students' concept understanding of Spermatophyta sub-material, with a medium improvement category (N-Gain Score of 0.7513).
Food educationDiscovering Soil Diversity
2026Birgitta Goldschmidt · International explorations in outdoor and environmental education · Global
This chapter presents a basic course in soil science to help teachers and students understand and manage soil in school gardens. The basics of soil science, evaluating and improving one's own soil, and managing it with knowledge and appreciation can be learned in school gardens. Methods such as composting, careful tillage, mulching, green manuring, favorable crop rotation, and minimal compaction can keep soil fertile and vibrant in the long term.
Food educationCompostOrganic cycleDetermination of Flowering Plants in High Schools in Giresun City Center
2026İsmail Suat Başoğlu, Bahadır KOZ · Karadeniz Fen Bilimleri Dergisi · Turkey (Giresun City Center)
This research evaluated the diversity of flowering plants, physical properties of garden areas, and green space in 18 high schools in Giresun City Center. A total of 45 flowering plant species were identified in the school gardens, but the overall presence of endemic and rare species was found to be low. These findings indicate that high school gardens in Giresun City Center require improvement in terms of existing green areas and plant diversity.
Limited or null effectBiodiversityFood educationFlorida–Friendly Edible Landscaping Educational Campaign
2026Tiare Silvasy · Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society · United States (Florida)
An educational campaign was conducted in Florida to teach people how to grow food in an environmentally friendly way, specifically tailored for edible crops. The campaign covered topics such as efficient irrigation, planting the right variety at the right time, advanced soil building techniques, and integrated pest management strategies. Science-based information was made available online through multiple formats, including EDIS publications, an infographic, blogs, PowerPoint presentations, and YouTube webinar recordings. This campaign reached thousands of people and provided information to encourage environmentally friendly decisions in edible landscapes.
DIYFood educationOrganic cycleClimate changeO contato com a natureza como elemento do desenvolvimento infantil: reflexões sobre o papel da escola na contemporaneidade
2026Cássia Rocha Santos, Eliene Gomes Pires da Silva, João Ricardo Costa Rocha, Fabiano Euclides Mendes · Revista fisio&terapia. · Global
This article analyzes the importance of children's contact with nature for their holistic development, emphasizing the school's role as a mediator. Based on bibliographic and documentary research, it discusses how urbanization and other social changes have reduced children's natural experiences, limiting physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development. The study concludes that school-facilitated contact with nature, through practices like school gardens, significantly contributes to holistic child development.
Food educationCommunityHealthPenguatan Literasi Lingkungan Berbasis Urban Farming untuk Mendukung Implementasi Sekolah Adiwiyata di SMP Muhammadiyah 1 Malang
2026Husamah Husamah, Abdulkadir Rahardjanto, Atok Miftachul Hudha · Jurnal SOLMA · Indonesia (Malang)
This community service activity at SMP Muhammadiyah 1 Malang aimed to strengthen environmental literacy through urban farming to support Adiwiyata school implementation. Interventions included governance strengthening, teacher training, and urban farming practices (vertical culture, simple NFT hydroponics, mini composters). Pre-post test results for 18 teachers showed environmental literacy scores increased from "Poor" (Mean=58.42±3.20) to "Good" (Mean=82.22±2.32), with 38.89% achieving "Very Good." Additionally, school PBLHS monitoring indicated that 90% of teachers integrated environmental education into the curriculum and applied it in lesson plans.
Food educationDIYCommunityPelatihan Pembuatan Ecobrick Dalam Mendukung Urban Farming Berkelanjutan Pada KWT Rezeki Bersama
2026Yurike Yurike, Urip Santoso, Reflis Reflis, Elsa Lolita Putri · Jurnal Altifani Penelitian dan Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat · Indonesia
An ecobrick manufacturing training program was conducted for the Women Farmers Group "KWT Rezeki Bersama" in Beringin Raya Village, Bengkulu City, Indonesia, to address high volumes of household plastic waste and limited growing media in urban farming. The program aimed to equip KWT members with skills to process plastic waste into functional and environmentally friendly growing media. Activities included outreach, Q&A discussions, and practical ecobrick making.
DIYCommunityFood educationOrganic cycleEl docente como promotor de una cultura productiva en el marco del PTMS para la escuela del futuro
2026Yenis Katiuska Pereira, Romelia Rodríguez · Revista Multidisciplinar Ciencia y Descubrimiento · Global
This study addressed the limited development of agroecological practices and weak productive culture at Argelia Laya Primary School. Its objective was to analyze the role of teachers as promoters of a productive culture through the implementation of the All Hands to the Soil Program (PTMS). Using a qualitative approach with Transformative Participatory Action Research, findings revealed that teacher leadership fostered agroecological awareness, participatory organization, the establishment of a school garden, and strengthened school–family–community relationships. The study concludes that PTMS is an effective pedagogical strategy for strengthening school productive culture and consolidating the teacher's role in sustainable development.
Food educationCommunityPEMBERDAYAAN MASYARAKAT MELALUI INOVASI PERTANIAN PERKOTAAN DI WILAYAH RT 10/RW 03, KELURAHAN SOBO, KECAMATAN BANYUWANGI, KABUPATEN BANYUWANGI, JAWA TIMUR
2026Mohammad Suyanto, Taufiq Hidayat, Joko Priyono · Abdi Massa. · Indonesia
This community service activity aimed to educate the Drangrang farmer group in Sobo Village, Banyuwangi, East Java, on tips and tricks for successful urban farming. Discussions and interviews focused on utilizing narrow urban land to create more beneficial value for residents and the environment, covering food security, cultivation of medicinal herbs, and Trigona honey bee farming. The participating farmer group showed great enthusiasm, leading to extensive Q&A sessions.
CommunityFood educationFood sovereignty & justiceHealthFueling Bright Futures: a mixed-methods case study on integrating gardens, canteens, and nutrition training in philippine public schools
2026Mai A. Hoang, Patricia Isabel A. Matienzo, Diana Jean Umali, Ma. Shiela Anunciado, Lisa Littrell, Susan Rio, Aman Sen Gupta, Tom van Mourik, Lauren DeVol, Rolf Klemm, Emilita Monville‐Oro, Dolly Reario · BMC Public Health · Philippines
The "Fueling Bright Futures" program, an integrated approach enhancing school gardens, improving canteen menus, and providing nutrition education, was evaluated in three public elementary schools in Cavite, Philippines. Baseline and endline assessments in April 2024 and February 2025 showed substantial gains in garden output, dietary diversity, and the nutritional quality of canteen offerings across all schools. However, barriers such as limited resources, irregular garden supplies, time constraints, and outside processed food vendors were identified, and infrastructure and sustainability challenges persisted.
Food educationHealthFrom practice to heritage
2026Dalma Dani-Ördög · Belvedere Meridionale · Global
This paper explores the transformation of peasant work culture in contemporary educational contexts using the theoretical framework of folklorism and heritage-making. Based on qualitative fieldwork at the Gyermekliget Alternative School, it analyzes how agricultural practices are re-contextualized within the institutional setting of a school garden. The findings show that practices originally associated with subsistence farming acquire new pedagogical meanings, particularly in terms of embodied knowledge, sensory experience, and community collaboration. The school garden functions as a mediating space where past practices are reorganized through everyday action rather than being reconstructed.
Food educationCommunityHeirloom & landraceCultivating Dietary Literacy: A Perspective on School Gardens and Nutritional Knowledge in Malawian Primary Education
2026Chikondi Banda, Grace Chisale, Tawonga Mwale, Kondwani Phiri · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Malawi
This perspective piece proposes a conceptual framework for integrating school gardens into the Malawian primary education curriculum to enhance dietary literacy. It argues that a curriculum embedding practical gardening with lessons on local, nutrient-dense crops can foster a more profound understanding of nutrition than classroom instruction alone.
Food educationHealthCommunityPengembangan Budidaya Sawi sebagai alternatif untuk Meningkatkan Ketahanan Pangan Masyarakat
2026Siarwi Siarwi, Adi Sofyana Latif, Yunus Nurhasan, Rananda Septanta · Jurnal PKM Manajemen Bisnis · Indonesia (South Tangerang)
This community service program, conducted on April 11, 2026, at Pamulang Permai Housing, South Tangerang, aimed to enhance the knowledge and skills of 20 local women in cultivating mustard greens. Implemented by 10 lecturers from Pamulang University, the program used lectures, hands-on practice, discussions, and Q&A sessions. Results indicated a significant improvement in participants' understanding of cultivation techniques and their ability to apply these practices independently, contributing to increased awareness of household food security and promoting sustainable urban farming.
CommunityFood educationFood sovereignty & justiceSchool Vegetable Gardens and Their Effects on Children's Diet, Health, and Well-being: A Systematic Review
2026J. R. Shalini, G. S. Sreedaya, V. S. Chinchu · Journal of Scientific Research and Reports · Global
A systematic review analyzed 29 full-text articles from 14,967 identified records to synthesize evidence on school garden interventions for children aged 3–18 years. Most studies found statistically significant improvements in children's nutrition knowledge, vegetable preferences, and willingness to taste vegetables, with small-to-moderate increases in vegetable intake, especially when combined with nutrition education or cooking. BMI effects were mixed and generally small, and long-term success depends on sustainable implementation, longer program duration, and active parental engagement.
Food educationHealthCommunityENSINANDO SOBRE EDUCAÇÃO AMBIENTAL ATRAVÉS DA AGRICULTURA URBANA: OS TELHADOS VERDES
2026ALINE FERNANDA SILVA DE MOURA, RHAISSA FRANCISCA TAVARES DE MELO BALDER, CLOVES AUGUSTO DE LIMA SALES · Editora Realize eBooks · Global
This qualitative, observational study developed a lesson plan on urban agriculture, specifically green roofs, for 9th-grade students over four 50-minute classes. The objective was to engage students practically and creatively in building green roof models, encouraging research and explanation of the topic. The study observed that active methodologies, such as model creation and student-led explanations, made the lesson more engaging and effective, promoting greater content comprehension and developing critical and creative skills related to sustainability and environmental impact.
Food educationClimate changeDIYPELATIHAN TEKNOLOGI BUDIDAYA AQUAPONIK UNTUK MENINGKATKAN EKONOMI DAN KETAHANAN PANGAN MASYARAKAT DESA TARABAN BREBES
2026Nota Ali Sukarno Nota, Afif Hendri Putranto, Siska Irma Budianti, Ferdian Yudha Fariezki, Rifqi Efendi, Putri Olivia Nurman, Slamet Wiarso, Julianto Ibnu Natan · Perwira Journal of Community Development · Indonesia
This community service program, conducted on August 10, 2025, in Taraban Village, Indonesia, with 31 participants, provided training on aquaponics cultivation technology for limited land to improve the economy and food security of residents. Results showed partners learned cultivation, directly practiced aquaponics technology, experienced food sufficiency with chemical-free plant and animal protein, and could improve family economy. 65% of the participants who attended the training were able to create an aquaponic system.
Food sovereignty & justiceEconomicsCommunityFood educationDesign as a tool for experiential food education: Research into practice through a proximity-based therapeutic garden
2026Anna C. Catania, Carmen Trischitta · Design Studies · Italy
This paper examined the role of design as a catalyst in experiential food education through the Curortò project, a therapeutic garden established within the G. Di Cristina Children's Hospital. Employing a participatory action research methodology, the project involved hospitalized children, healthcare professionals, educators, and local community actors in a collaborative design process. Detailed observation, field diaries, and qualitative interviews provided evidence of significant improvements in children's understanding of seasonal food cycles, resource management, and circular economy principles, accompanied by reduced stress levels and increased operational autonomy.
Food educationHealthCommunityOrganic cycleConnecting People to Nature through Food
2026Shannon Bull, Hailey Gunther, Jessie Pilarcek, Natalie Maurer · Fisher Digital Publications (St. John Fisher College) · Global
This synthesis project, developed from the Cardinal Experience course, explores connecting people to nature through the lens of food. It examines four key areas: food insecurity, sustainability and stewardship, community gardens, and the cultural and social dimensions of food. The project's final deliverable is a comprehensive informational brochure illustrating how these themes intersect to foster a stronger connection between people and nature.
CommunityFood educationFood sovereignty & justiceHealthPengembangan Konten Edukasi Hidroponik Kit sebagai Media Literasi Urban Farming pada Platform Media Sosial Instagram
2026Wina Larasati Putri Ariyanto, Nabila Khairunnisha, Silvi Desianti, Sadiya Mirza Wiyoga, Ika Sari Tondang · Jurnal Riset Multidisiplin Agrisosco · Indonesia
The development of hydroponic kit educational content as an urban farming literacy medium on the Instagram platform @infarm.id was described at CV Wira Jaya Nusantara (Infarm) in Indonesia from February to June 2026. Using descriptive quantitative methods with secondary data from Instagram Insights, the content reached a wide audience and received positive responses from Instagram users. The best-performing content in March recorded 33,498 views, a reach of 22,346 accounts, and an engagement rate of 5.27%, suggesting Instagram is effective for urban farming literacy.
Food educationDigital agricultureDIYPráticas pedagógicas para o desenvolvimento da consciência ecológica entre crianças e adolescentes
2026Cledir Aparecida Gottwitz, Franciele Foschiera Camboin · Dialnet (Universidad de la Rioja) · Global
This study analyzed pedagogical practices aimed at developing ecological awareness among children and adolescents in basic education through a literature review of school experiences. Practical activities, school gardens, and interdisciplinary projects were identified as strategies that enhance student participation and strengthen their sense of environmental responsibility. The findings indicate that integrating scientific knowledge with everyday experiences is essential for establishing continuous environmental education.
Food educationCommunityClimate changeFactors Affecting Adoption of Systematic Household Waste Management, Waste Composting and Homestead Farming in Bharatpur, Janakpur and Pokhara
2026Sharad Sharma, Gita Kumari Shah, Arjun Aryal, Bipan Bahadur Tiwari, Bharat Khanal · Nepalese Journal of Agricultural Sciences · Nepal
The SOLID Health project by Nepal Development Society (NeDS) promoted household waste management and homestead farming in Bharatpur, Janakpur, and Pokhara, Nepal, from 2021 to 2024. A survey of 348 households found that 81% practiced either rooftop or kitchen gardening, with rooftop farming most prevalent in Pokhara (64%) and kitchen gardening in Bharatpur (71%). The project led to a 69% change in knowledge and attitude towards waste management and a 39% overall increase in home composting practice. Socio-demographic factors like education level, income, and land availability significantly influenced adoption, with higher education and larger homestead land areas linked to greater practice of kitchen gardening and rooftop farming.
CompostDIYCommunityFood educationPemanfaatan Lahan Perkotaan untuk Memaksimalkan Lahan Perkotaan yang Terbatas Bersama Ibu-Ibu PKK
2026Dimas Aditiya, Lili Dasa Putri, Solfema Solfema · Edukasi Elita Jurnal Inovasi Pendidikan · Indonesia
This literature review examines hydroponics as a solution to urban agricultural land shrinkage, citing a drastic reduction in rice fields in Sukawati District, Bali, from 497.24 Ha in 1985 to 211.42 Ha in 2016. It focuses on hydroponic training for housewives, which led to the establishment of a communal hydroponic garden and individual plans for independent hydroponic cultivation, demonstrating its success in improving food security.
DIYCommunityFood educationWelfareFrom Impact Accounting to Accounting for the Loops: Activating Sustainable Communities for Climate Action
2026Dario Cottafava, Francesco Marengo, Giuseppe Emiliano Di Martino, Laura Corazza · Business Strategy and the Environment · Global
This study introduced a social impact accounting framework, "accounting for the loops," for sustainability education for climate action (SECA), applying it to a university-led community garden case study. It found that a sense of belonging and personal recognition activate positive reinforcing loops. However, project size and community autonomy counterintuitively triggered balancing loops, leading to increased bureaucratic obstacles and institutional support needs, which negatively impacted participant motivation.
Governance failureCommunityClimate changeFood educationPolicyPENGEMBANGAN EDUWISATA KETAHANAN PANGAN BERBASIS PENATAAN RUANG MIKRO DI KAMPOENG KAUMAN HERITAGE BANYUMAS
2026Fadhilah Siti Aniisah Haryono, Diajeng Sekar Shaliha, Eva Priyanti, Feri Setiyanto · Migunani Nusantara Jurnal Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat · Indonesia
This community service activity in Kampoeng Kauman Heritage, Sudagaran Village, Indonesia, aimed to develop a food security edutourism model integrating conservation, education, and economic functions. Using architectural and civil engineering approaches, a micro spatial layout was designed with urban farming systems, dividing the area into cultivation and education zones. The implementation of hydroponic and conventional bed systems served as realistic agricultural transition education for replication by the community on limited land, with Crystal Guava used as an economic icon.
Food educationCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceEconomics