Research & reports

Ibnu Bangkit Bioshina Suryadi, Zahidah Zahidah, Lantun Paradhita Dewanti, Herman Hamdani, Rioaldi Sugandhy · Dharmakarya · Indonesia (Sumedang)

In Tanjungsari Village, Sumedang Regency, Indonesia, the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic increased the need for affordable, nutritious food. This community service activity introduced an aquaponics system through education and training, aiming to serve as a model for urban farming utilizing limited land. The system, which combines fish and vegetable cultivation, intends to provide villagers with an organic and affordable source of high-protein food.

Agung Prasetyo, Suswadi, Mahananto, Kusriani Prasetyowati, Norbertus Citra Irawan, Teguh Supriyadi, Nadian Nur Aulia, Mustaqim Mustaqim · GANESHA Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat · Indonesia

This community service program in Triyagan Village, Mojolaban District, Sukoharjo Regency, Indonesia, aimed to develop and enhance horticulture cultivation in narrow urban spaces. Using extension, training, and economic analysis, the program found that narrow-land urban agriculture can meet household food needs and reduce food expenses, thereby improving household food security. Participants were able to practice cultivation at home.

Véronique Saint-Gès, Hugo de Vergès · Frontiers for Young Minds · Global

This article introduces urban agriculture, explaining what it is, how it is practiced, and the benefits it provides. It highlights urban agriculture as a way to provide fresh, local food for city residents and to reintroduce nature into urban environments.

John Wakhanu · International journal of food science and agriculture · Kenya (Machakos)

This study assessed the impact of a nutrition intervention using African indigenous leafy vegetables (AILVs) grown in school gardens in Machakos County, Kenya, on body composition changes in school-going children (6-10 years) using the Deuterium Dilution Isotope Method (DDIM). An experimental cross-over design with two phases (Phase I: 13 weeks, Phase II: 12 weeks) was used, with 66 children in the experimental group and 46 in the control group in Phase I. Findings indicated high morbidity and low nutritional status, poverty, and poor AILV consumption among subjects, but DDIM showed a significant improvement in body composition in experimental groups (p<0.001).

Faathiyah Harun · MIMBAR AGRIBISNIS Jurnal Pemikiran Masyarakat Ilmiah Berwawasan Agribisnis · Indonesia (Makassar)

This research analyzed the influence of urban farming motives on the behavior of urban farming practitioners in using social media as a cyber extension in Makassar City, Indonesia. Questionnaires were administered to 50 respondents, and regression analysis was employed. Results indicated that urban farming motives have a significant relationship and influence on online media usage behavior for seeking urban farming information. This motive affects the choice of social media platforms and influences respondents' attitudes and knowledge after receiving information.

Andrew Jones, Joel Hockin, Max Longhurst · The Science Teacher · United States

This abstract does not describe specific research content or findings regarding rooftop garden ecosystems. Instead, it only provides information about the affiliations and roles of the authors: Andrew Jones, Joel Hockin, and Max Longhurst.

Andra Jihan Prasetyo, Mira Azizah · Indonesian Journal of Elementary School · Indonesia (Semarang)

This study described character values integrated into urban farming activities at SDN Ngemplak Simongan 01 Semarang, Indonesia, during the 2023/2024 academic year. The research found positive attitudes towards character values such as responsibility, independence, discipline, hard work, curiosity, cooperation, and environmental care among students participating in urban farming. The findings highlight the importance of integrating character values into the school curriculum through practical learning approaches like urban farming.

Samuel Ikendi, Michael S. Retallick, Gail R. Nonnecke, Donald R. Kugonza · Journal of Agricultural Education · Global

This study investigated the influence of a school garden-based service-learning program on the academic development of alumni (n = 274) from 2006-2019. A self-administered questionnaire, completed by 94.2% of alumni, revealed three components of program activities: community engagement (including school gardening, bi-national team projects, farmer field visits, and school teaching assistance), reflexive actions (such as journaling, critical reflections, and presentations), and social life (including co-curricular activities, tours, and social parties). The findings suggested that alumni could benefit from more instructor-led cognitive development activities.

Tina McIntyre, Rachel Gutner, Hamutahl Cohen, Tiare Saracino, Esen Momol · EDIS · United States (Florida)

This 8-page publication from the UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department defines common pests for home gardeners and advocates for diversifying landscapes to manage them. It introduces the "triangle" of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), providing examples of multi-method tools applicable in home settings for pest control.

Loyane Ferreira da Matta, Monique Cleia de Pontes Bandeira CARVALHO, Josué Rodrigues Gomes, Juliana do Nascimento Chagas Pessanha, Érika Eberlline Pacheco dos Santos · LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas) · Brazil (Campos dos Goytacazes)

A pedagogical garden project was implemented at Escola Municipal Santa Terezinha in Campos dos Goytacazes, Brazil, to teach the importance of agroecology, the environment, and healthy eating. The project involved weekly activities where students participated in workshops, courses, meetings, study groups, and garden construction, based on a bibliographic survey of pedagogical gardens, agroecology, and urban agriculture.

Inanpi Hidayati Sumiasih · Jurdimas (Jurnal Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat) Royal · Indonesia (Jakarta)

In Jatinegara Baru Housing, East Jakarta, Indonesia, an urban farming program was conducted from March to December 2022 for residents and santri of the Al Jabar community. The program included cultivating vegetables in narrow yards, utilizing green spaces, and training in compost and POC production. Evaluation showed that participant understanding increased from an initial 10% to 100%, the activity was rated "very beneficial," and the combined theory and practice method was considered highly suitable for participants.

Yichen Ma · International Journal of Environmental Sustainability and Protection · Global

This article explores participatory community gardening theory and practices, using an old community as an example, to find ways to establish and grow community gardens for residents. It aims to provide a reference for establishing community gardens and exploring sustainable methods within urban micro-renewal, especially in response to challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic affecting residents' access to necessities.

Imelda Cahiles, Ricardo Bullecer · ACADEME University of Bohol Graduate School and Professional Studies · Asia

A study assessing the implementation of the Gulayan sa Paaralan Program (GPP) in schools in Lila District, Bohol, Philippines, revealed that the overall program implementation was less implemented. While roles and responsibilities at the school level and the establishment and maintenance of school gardens were implemented to a moderate extent, capability building, program monitoring, sustainability mechanisms, and program evaluation were less implemented. Respondents generally perceived the program as moderately beneficial and reported that implementation-related problems were less serious.

Govinda Prasad Devkota · Pragyaratna प्रज्ञारत्न · Nepal

This participatory action research in a public high school in Nepal explored the applicability of urine diversion toilets for organic vegetable production and sanitation improvement. It found that urine diversion toilets prevent surface water pollution and improve students' hygiene. Additionally, using human urine as fertilizer increased vegetable production by 40% compared to animal fertilizer in plots of the same area.

East Tennessee State University University Marketing and Communication · Digital Commons - East Tennessee State University (East Tennessee State University) · United States

ETSU Health's Johnson City Community Health Center in Johnson City, USA, has relaunched its community garden. Volunteers are active on the third Saturday of every month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and are also encouraged to harvest and tend the garden outside these hours. The garden provides access to fresh, healthy, and free produce, and was relaunched with community support.

Eka Pranajaya, Dwinanto Priyo Susetyo, Neneng Yanti Andriani · Journal of Community Service and Society Empowerment · Indonesia

A community-service report on an agricultural education programme for early-childhood pupils at an elementary school in Indonesia, delivered through a "fun learning" hydroponics approach. The activity followed observation and outreach, hydroponic cultivation practice, library revitalisation, and outcome evaluation; it reported increased children's understanding of agriculture, with potential to foster later interest in the agricultural sector, and noted that the library activities also helped increase pupils' reading interest.

Robson Andrade de Jesus, Maria José Nascimento Soares, Jailton de Jesus Costa, André Vinícius Bezerra de Andrade Silva · LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas) · Brazil

A study analysing the interdisciplinary educational practice of the "Organic Garden" project at the Colégio de Aplicação of the Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Brazil, implemented between 2015 and 2019. Using a qualitative approach based on Bardin's (2011) method, the study drew on testimonials from basic-education students, higher-education students, teachers, and administrative technicians. The results showed that while the project achieved integration across disciplines, more attention is needed to fostering appreciation of nature and encouraging biodiversity conservation within its limits.

Catherine Hughes · · Canada

This article reports on integrating outdoor education, including school gardens, into the Ontario kindergarten program in Canada. Written by a practicing kindergarten teacher based on a year of taking students outside daily, it describes the process of establishing nine gardens and activities such as composting and tree planting. The initiative is reported to have led to attainment of platinum eco-school certification, and the article advocates a return to Friedrich Froebel's concept of the "children's garden."

Grace Gardner, Wendy Burton, Maddie Sinclair, Maria Bryant · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · Global

A scoping review following Arksey and O'Malley's methodology searched Scopus and grey literature to identify interventions aimed at strengthening the environmental sustainability of school food systems; of 6,016 records screened, 24 were included. The most common intervention types were sustainably designed school lunch menus, school food waste reduction, sustainability education delivered through school gardens, and dietary interventions with an added environmental component, and the review concluded that further research is needed to establish the effectiveness of these interventions.

Rhisa Aidilla Suprapto, Seftina Kuswardini · Diklus Jurnal Pendidikan Luar Sekolah · Indonesia

A community service project in Wayang Sidowarno Tourism Village, Indonesia, used observation and Focus Group Discussion methods to develop a garden prototype designed as urban farming educational media, built collaboratively by local residents through gotong-royong (mutual community labor). The prototype aims to introduce urban farming as an activity with both economic value — selling or directly consuming produce — and green open space value, continuing a partnership between Amikom University's Architecture Program and the village since it was designated a tourism village in 2020.

Alicia Papanek, Catherine Campbell, Hannah Wooten, John Diaz, Valeria Caicedo Zapata · EDIS · Spain

A Spanish extension publication aimed at urban residents, students, community members, extension agents, and local government officials interested in developing, supporting, or participating in urban agriculture. It covers the definition of urban agriculture, common characteristics, types of food produced, commonly used production methods, and the goals of different types of operations, closing with a list of additional resources on urban agriculture and gardening techniques for beginning and experienced growers.

Natal Basuki, Sartika Syafi, Haris Mahmud · Jurnal Pengabdian Teratai · Indonesia

A community economic-empowerment report from Bangko Village, West Halmahera Regency, Indonesia, addressing residents' inability to propagate and use local agricultural potential such as lemon cui (a lime variety). The intervention offered training in vegetative propagation (grafting) techniques and urban farming, following a process of socialization/FGD, facilitation and mentoring, community economic empowerment, and monitoring and evaluation. Outcomes reported were increased productivity of community economic activity (as a measure against unemployment and poverty) and development of economic activity integrated with agricultural potential, with productivity/income growth and partners' mastery of business management and marketing technology set as key performance indicators.

Tina McIntyre, Hamutahl Cohen, Rachel Gutner, Tiare Saracino, Esen Momol · EDIS · United States (Florida)

This is a five-page extension publication from the UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department that provides a decision tree to help edible-landscape gardeners decide how to respond to wildlife in their growing areas. It states that while wild animals can damage crops, this need not require conflict, and aims to help gardeners become more accepting of wildlife species present in their managed area and coexist with them.

Rachael Walshe, Lisa Law · Cities · Global

This paper presents a novel research method combining the "walking interview" method with a "free listing technique," applied with teachers at a north Queensland primary school in a rapidly urbanising neighbourhood, as part of a larger project exploring the barriers and opportunities of incorporating community gardens -- as important green spaces -- into schools. It reflectively analyses how simple factors such as weather, noise and interruptions shaped 20 minutes of a teacher's day, and considers how conditioned and situational temporalities and more-than-human influences affect the knowledge produced in such rapid walking interviews.

Emmanuel Roux, David Himmelgreen · Futurum Careers · United States (Florida)

Well-being is closely tied to the food we eat and the places where it is grown; healthy soils produce nutrient-dense food that supports physical and mental health. For city residents, finding fresh, good-quality local food can be difficult. At 15th Street Farm in Florida, United States, Emmanuel Roux and Professor David Himmelgreen run an education project helping local families learn about their local food systems and make healthier food choices (2023).