Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
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2012 results(30 / 81)
Growing Character: A Model For Incorporating SEL & Social Justice In Agriculture Education
2022Corona-Munoz, Sergio · DigitalCommons - CalPoly (California State Polytechnic University) · United States
"Growing Character" is a three-lesson series modeling how agricultural spaces, particularly school gardens, can integrate social emotional learning (SEL) and social justice education. The program aims to empower students with skills for healthy emotional management and socially conscious behavior through an educational experience.
Food educationCommunityWelfareFen bilgisi öğretmeni eğitiminde yerleşke bahçesinin öğrenme ortamı olarak kullanılması
2022Sibel Telli · Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University AVESIS · Turkey
This case study aimed to introduce the educational use of school gardens to 38 pre-service science teachers at a state university in Turkey, improving their subject knowledge, teaching competency, and confidence in outdoor settings. Educational research indicates that teacher education programs primarily focus on classrooms, leaving teachers unprepared for outdoor instruction. Through a lesson study model in a campus garden, pre-service teachers reported awareness of using scientific plant names but felt insufficient in their ability. However, the model was shown to contribute to their professional competence and subject knowledge.
Food educationCommunityLearning science locally: Community gardens and our future
2022David Lloyd, Kathryn Paige · Frontiers in Education · Australia
A case study was conducted at The Old School Community Garden (TOSCG) in the Adelaide Hills, Australia, teaching gardening to primary students. This project focused on using the garden as a learning place for Year 1 students (aged 6–7) working with Year 4 students (aged 9–10). Gardening provides young people with opportunities to learn science concepts while addressing local issues like organic food production, encompassing central aspects of science learning such as soil science, biological science, ecosystem management, and sustainable food supply.
Food educationCommunityClimate changeProject Learning Garden: A Systematic Review of the Effectiveness of the Evaluation Techniques on School Gardens
2022Kasey Kavanaugh · Digital Archive @ GSU · Global
This systematic review examined eight peer-reviewed articles assessing the impact of school gardens on elementary and middle school students. All eight papers reviewed showed a positive change in children's health and behaviors as a result of having access to a school gardening and additional nutritional education. However, three papers showed no change in the consumption of fruit and vegetables, and one paper showed no major differences in fruit and vegetable knowledge. All studies used surveys, with some also employing food diaries, 24-hour recall, or lunchroom observations as evaluation tools.
Food educationHealthOPTIMALISASI PEMBERDAYAAN KELOMPOK URBAN FARMING UNTUK MENINGKATKAN KETAHANAN PANGAN PASCA PANDEMI COVID-19
2022Madziatul Churiyah, Buyung Adi Dharma, Sholikhan · PRIMA PORTAL RISET DAN INOVASI PENGABDIAN MASYARAKAT · Indonesia (Malang)
This study aimed to describe the agricultural management skills of an urban farming group (20 people) in Keben Permai village, Malang, Indonesia, after receiving empowerment through mentoring and training in agricultural management. Conducted as action research, skill data was obtained through observation sheets. The results showed that the agricultural management skills of the Keben Permai urban farming group were in the "very good" category, indicating that members possess very good skills to manage agriculture.
Food educationCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceDesigning the adaptation. The resilience of urban agriculture in the European context
2022Maicol Negrello, Daniele Roccaro, Kevin Santus, Isabella Spagnolo · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · Europe
This paper examines urban agriculture's role in enhancing the resilience of European urban areas against climate change. Through a historical overview and analysis of contemporary case studies, it provides design tools for interventions at urban and architectural scales. The essay presents a replicable morpho-typological approach for designers and policy-makers to increase urban resilience.
Climate changeCommunityPolicyFood educationDemonstration gardens as informal education strategies in rehabilitation efforts
2022Rachel Bechtold, Catherine W. Shoulders, Jennie Popp, Donald M. Johnson, Lisa S. Wood · Natural sciences education · United States
This study evaluated the process and efficacy of installing a demonstration plot along a multiuse trail in Southeast Kansas to educate the community on rehabilitative plots. The greatest perceived challenges for this case study were the allotment of time and money for initial costs of the demonstration plot and addressing methodology for plant blindness in viewers.
CommunityBiodiversityPollinatorsFood educationPEMBERDAYAAN PETERNAK LEBAH TRIGONA PADA KELOMPOK USAHA A BEE HONEY DI GAMPONG ALUE AWE KECAMATAN MUARA DUA
2022Mohd Zulkifli Muhammad, Mohd Zulkifli Muhammad, Reza Putra, Abdul Rahman, Ridho Hafis, Faizar Rianda · JURNAL HURRIAH Jurnal Evaluasi Pendidikan dan Penelitian · Indonesia
The A Bee Honey group in Gampong Alue Awe, Muara Dua subdistrict, implemented a pilot program for Trigona honey bee cultivation from August to November 2022. Despite its potential as an income source, honey supply does not consistently meet demand, and a lack of understanding regarding cultivation and economics reduces consumer interest. The community also does not fully comprehend the advantages and potential of trigona bee cultivation. Training was provided to educate the community on its potential as an alternative income source, resulting in five family heads joining the program.
Economic viabilityCommunityEconomicsFood educationPollinatorsGrowing capable kids: Exploring the nexus between the Australian Curriculum’s general capabilities, global competencies, and one school garden program
2022Beverly Christian, Karyn A. Cameron, Robyn Pearce · Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education · Australia
This qualitative case study explored how an established environmentally friendly garden program at one Australian primary school contributed to the development of core competencies. The study revealed that gardening, as part of the school program, provided opportunities for students to develop the general capabilities outlined in the Australian Curriculum. This research addresses a gap in the literature regarding how primary schools embed competencies into their learning programs.
Food educationCommunityPenanaman Tanaman Pangan dengan Pemanfaatan Lahan Tidur di Kelurahan Simpang Tiga Pekanbaru
2022Febby Asteriani, Rona Muliana, Subhan Arridho, Apriyan Dinata · Jurnal Abdi Masyarakat Indonesia · Indonesia (Pekanbaru)
A community service activity in Simpang Tiga Village, Pekanbaru City, Indonesia, aimed to socialize the importance of utilizing idle land for food crop cultivation. The activity provided counseling and practical training on proper food crop planting techniques to residents of RW 02 RT 01. Results showed that the community was receptive to the knowledge, actively practiced the techniques, and increased their understanding of urban farming and environmental conservation.
CommunityFood educationDIYEffects of Plant Spacing with Companion Plants on Growth and Fruit Quality of Cherry Tomatoes
2022Byoung-Kwon Lee, Hyung-Kwon Yun, In-Kyoung Hong, Young-Bin Jung, Sangmi Lee, Sang-Deok Lee · Journal of people, plants, and environment · Global
This study investigated the effects of French marigold, zinnia, spearmint, and basil as companion plants at 10, 20, and 40 cm spacing on cherry tomato growth and fruit quality. Statistical differences were found in stem thickness and total number of fruits per plant, but not in plant height, total fresh weight of fruits, sugar content, fruit hardness, or vitamin C. Stem thickness decreased when spearmint and basil were planted at 20 cm or 40 cm compared to the control, and only zinnia at 40 cm increased the total number of fruits per plant.
DIYFood educationOrganic cycleEthnic vegetables for urban nutrition
2022R V S K Reddy, J. Omprasad, T. Janakiram · Current Horticulture · India
In India, indigenous ethnic vegetables are underestimated for their nutritional and economic value and are underutilized, despite their potential to improve human nutrition. Urban populations often prefer less nutritious exotic vegetables due to the greater availability of ethnic vegetables in rural areas. The study suggests increasing the cultivation of these nutrient-dense vegetables in urban and peri-urban areas through home gardening and urban farming to enhance supply for urban residents.
HealthFood educationUrban–rural linkageEconomicsPROGRAMA PLANTA RORAIMA: PRODUÇÃO DE ALIMENTOS E SUSTENTABILIDADE NO MEIO URBANO
2022Antônio Carlos Ribeiro Araújo Júnior, Roberto Xavier da Costa, Mirian Pereira dos Reis Oliveira · LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas) · Brazil
The "Programa Planta Roraima" project, initiated by the civil society organization Movimento ID, proposes establishing a Reference Center for Food and Nutritional Security in the Cidadão Housing Complex. This center will create an urban community garden to promote sustainable integration among immigrants, refugees, and socially/economically vulnerable nationals. The project aims to understand access to knowledge for food production, transformation, distribution, and consumption in small urban spaces, and to analyze access to income-generating technologies for vulnerable populations. Based on an analysis of the "PROJETO PLANTA RORAIMA: Minha Horta Comunitária Cidadã" developed by SETRABES, the project is relevant as it provides basic technical training in food production, fostering autonomy and integrating vulnerable populations as productive citizens, and demonstrates that idle urban spaces can be valuable for collective uses like community gardens.
CommunityFood educationWelfareFood sovereignty & justicePerceptions of nutrition education classes offered in conjunction with a community-supported agriculture intervention among low-income families
2022R.A. Seguin, A.S. Ammerman, W. Wang, I. Lu, J. Kolodinsky, J. Garner, L.C. Volpe, E.H. Belarmino, L. Gonsalves, S.B. Jilcott Pitts, M. Sitaker, K.L. Hanson · UNC Libraries · United States
This qualitative study examined the experiences of 96 low-income participants in 28 focus groups across rural and micropolitan communities in New York, North Carolina, Vermont, and Washington (USA) regarding nutrition education classes complementing a cost-offset community-supported agriculture (CSA) program. Participants reported improved nutrition knowledge, food preservation skills, and cooking behaviors, and a promoted sense of community. However, other obligations and class logistics were barriers to attendance, with recommendations for flexible scheduling and better integration of CSA produce into lessons.
CSA & TeikeiFood educationHealthWelfareFEW-meter Final Report
2022Caputo Silvio, Dorr Erica, Runrid Fox-Kämper, Hawes Jason K., Lelièvre Agnes, Newell Josh, Poniży Lidia, Schoen Victoria, Jean-Soro Liliane, Specht Kathrin, Yaman Rokiah · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Global
The three-year FEW-meter project, funded by the Sustainable Urbanization Global Initiative, was developed by an international consortium from France, Germany, Poland, the UK, and the US. It investigated the Food-Water-Energy (FEW) nexus in urban agriculture through collaboration between researchers, farmers, gardeners, and various associations. This report presents the main outcomes of the project, which involved co-production of knowledge and feedback on methodology and data analysis.
CommunityClimate changeFood educationWelfareMindfulness and Meditation: Stress Reduction, Yoga, School Gardens, Nature
2022Linda Goldman · · United States (Baltimore)
This chapter presents how young people can reduce stress and worry by practicing mindfulness and meditation. The Holistic Life Foundation (HLF), a non-profit organization in Baltimore, Maryland, is highlighted as a pioneering model for incorporating meditation, mindfulness, yoga, school gardens, and nature into school systems' daily routines and curricula. Students plant in school gardens, clean outdoor environments, and take trips to visit nature, enhancing the mindfulness approach.
Food educationHealthCommunityCommunity gardens STEM
2022Ramon Majé Floriano · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · Colombia (Pitalito Huila)
The STEM community gardens project aims to contribute to food security in the San Francisco, Santa Inés, and Holland villages of the Pitalito Huila municipality in Colombia. This report describes the project's development through three phases: immersion, transfer, and communication.
CommunityFood educationFood sovereignty & justiceCome Grow With Us: An Action Plan for Morrow Community Garden
2022T. E. H. Williams · Digital Archive @ GSU · United States
The Morrow Community Garden, established in 2012, expanded from 14 to 32 beds, enabling residents to grow produce and donate to a local clinic. Facing unstable membership, limited space, and reliance on membership dues, the garden requires an action plan to achieve its goals. An action plan was created to help stabilize membership, expand the garden, educate residents, and create a youth engagement program.
CommunityFood educationHealthWelfareEducational Frameworks for Designing Regenerative Food Systems in the Arabian Gulf
2022Anna Grichting · · Qatar
This teaching experience, conducted over seven years at Qatar University, addressed the challenge of food production in desert regions within graduate and undergraduate architecture and urbanism courses. Students designed productive architectural and urban landscapes through vertical farming, community gardening, and urban farms, among other methods. Outcomes included an increase in the integration of food production systems into student projects and a vision for Qatar University as an "edible campus."
Food educationCommunityBiodiversityClimate changePolicyCobb County Public Library Garden
2022Vidhya Jagannathan · Georgia Library Quarterly · United States
The Cobb County Public Library Garden is a community garden that expands library services and promotes patron collaboration. This garden was envisioned for teaching, demonstrating, donating, and involving families in growing food and experiencing the satisfaction of harvesting produce. Library gardens serve as a natural setting for promoting nutritional literacy and hands-on environmental learning, reflecting the Cobb County Public Library's mission.
CommunityFood educationDIYStrategic Development of Primary School Garden Education Based on the PEST Analysis of Organophonico in Cuba
2022Nam-Gyeong Gim, Nam-gyeong Gim · The Jounal of Cultural Exchange · Cuba
This study explored strategic methods for effective school garden operation in elementary schools, focusing on Cuba's organopónico system. It conducted a PEST analysis of organopónico to extract technological strengths relevant to school garden education and a SWOT analysis of domestic elementary school gardens from an operational perspective. Findings suggest organopónico offers solutions for limited space through cantero farming and highlights organic farming using living organisms as a key method for strategic linkage in school gardens.
Food educationCommunityOrganic cycleUrban Farming in Food Security Efforts at Household Level in Indonesia: Systematic Review
2022Sofyan Musyabiq Wijaya · International Journal of Current Science Research and Review · Indonesia
A systematic review of 12 articles, identified from an initial search of 43 research articles on PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar, examined urban farming in Indonesia. The review found that urban farming can increase family food security, with vegetables and fruits being common crops. Identified problems included communication issues and varying levels of knowledge and skills related to urban farming.
Food sovereignty & justiceWelfareFood educationCommunityCRIAÇÃO DE GALINHAS EM ÁREAS URBANAS: DEBATENDO OS CAMINHOS E DESAFIOS PARA SUA LEGALIZAÇÃO
2022Raquel Yurie Hioki, Moacir Roberto Darolt · Archives of Veterinary Science · Brazil (Curitiba)
This study, conducted in Curitiba, Brazil, and its metropolitan area, aimed to discuss the risks and benefits of legalizing urban poultry farming. Through interviews with key informants, challenges were identified across sanitary, legislative, and commercial areas, urban chicken breeders, and bird management. The main challenges cited were sanitary and environmental risks, mistreatment, irregular slaughter, and neighborhood disturbances, which could be addressed through activity regulation, registration of farms, technical monitoring, and implementation of pilot projects.
Governance failureOrganic cycleFood educationFood sovereignty & justicePolicyCommunityBecoming Better People: Children's Perceptions of how a School's Garden Program has Impacted their Actualisation of Values
2022Beverly Christian, Jason Morton · TEACH Journal of Christian Education · Australia
A case study in one Australian primary school used focus groups to gather children's perceptions of how a school garden program impacted their actualisation of values. The study found that the garden program's organizational elements positively impacted the actualisation of intrapersonal and interpersonal values among children.
Food educationCommunityAction Research in a Tokyo Suburb
2022Mariia Ermilova, Mitsunari Terada, Isami Kinoshita · · Japan (Tokyo)
From March 2016 to 2021, a five-year action research project was conducted in Matsudo, a Tokyo suburb, Japan, by two PhD students from Chiba University in collaboration with a local neighborhood association. Through cultivating culturally significant plants like herbs, vegetables, and flowers, and utilizing them for crafts and cosmetics, local women, the elderly, and children developed new skills, gained financial support, and social confidence. These activities expanded from edible landscape cultivation in planters to the creation of eight gardens, providing alternative forms of community participation.
CommunityElderlyFood educationPeri-urban agriculture