Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
2058 results(34 / 83)
Assessment of the Effect of Urban Agriculture on Achieving a Localized Food System Centered on Chicago, IL Using Robust Optimization
2021Christine Costello, Zeynab Oveysi, Bayram Dündar, Ronald G. McGarvey · Environmental Science & Technology · United States (Chicago)
This study used optimization techniques to assess the land area and radius needed around Chicago, Illinois, to meet nutritional needs. It found that no mix of food items could satisfy vitamin D, B12, and calcium needs within a 650 km radius. While urban agriculture reduced the required radius by 10-15 km, significant nutrient fortification or supplementation was still necessary to localize the food system.
Limited or null effectHealthUrban–rural linkageEconomicsMengenalkan Urban Farming pada Mahasiswa Untuk Ketahanan Pangan di Masa Pandemi Covid-19 dan Menambah Nilai Ekonomi
2021Deni Nasir Ahmad, Luluk Setyowati · Jurnal Pengabdian Magister Pendidikan IPA · Indonesia
This community service activity in Indonesia introduced urban farming to students via Zoom meetings as a solution for food security and economic value during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program involved assessing partner needs, presenting urban farming concepts, and evaluating participant feedback. Participants responded positively, asking many questions and finding the information relevant to their needs, with some even developing new ideas for agricultural technology products.
Food educationFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsHealthPathogen and heavy metal contamination in urban agroecosystems of northern Ghana: Influence of biochar application and wastewater irrigation
2021Isaac Asirifi, Korbinian Kaetzl, Steffen Werner, Courage Kosi Setsoafia Saba, Felix K. Abagale, Philip Amoah, Bernd Marschner · Journal of Environmental Quality · Ghana
A field experiment in northern Ghana assessed health risks from pathogen and heavy metal contamination in urban agriculture, evaluating rice husk biochar, N-P-K fertilizer, and their combinations with untreated wastewater or tap water irrigation. While heavy metals in irrigation water and soil were below FAO/WHO standards, wastewater irrigation caused significant E. coli, fecal coliform, and helminth egg contamination on red amaranth vegetables and in soil. Biochar application did not affect bacterial contamination.
Contamination & food safetyHealthOrganic cycleWhich elements of socially prescribed activities most improve wellbeing
2021Karen McKenzie, Ryan Diston, Kara Murray · Northumbria Research Link (Northumbria University) · United Kingdom
A study evaluated a multifaceted activity, a visit to an inner-city farm, to measure which elements were the best predictors of psychological wellbeing. It found that, regardless of the specific activities engaged in, visiting the farm, on average, increased positive mood and reduced negative mood. The main contributing factor to this improvement was social interaction.
HealthCommunityEvaluation of the effect of a school garden as an educational didactic tool in vegetable and fruit consumption in teenagers
2021Diana Gabriela Figueroa-Piña, Jorge Luis Chávez‐Servín, Karina de la Torre‐Carbot, María del Carmen Caamaño, Gabriela Lucas-Deecke, Patricia Roitman Genoud, Laura Regina Ojeda-Navarro · Nutrition Research and Practice · Mexico (Queretaro)
A 3-arm controlled comparative impact study was conducted with 126 teenagers aged 12-18 at a private middle/high school in Queretaro, Mexico, to evaluate the effect of an educational intervention with a school garden (FE+SG) versus food education only (FE) and a control group (CG) on vegetable and fruit consumption. Both the FE+SG and FE groups significantly increased the frequency and daily intake of vegetables and fruits compared to the CG. The FE+SG group showed greater understanding, reflection, analysis of information, and willingness to include these in their daily diet. It was concluded that FE accompanied by a school garden is more effective than education alone or control in promoting vegetable and fruit consumption in middle-upper income teenagers.
Food educationHealthStrategi Peningkatan Adopsi Masyarakat terhadap Urban Farming Toga di Hunian Padat Kota Solo
2021Arisnia Devie Hapsari, Retno Setyowati, Hanifah Ihsaniyati · AGRITEXTS Journal of Agricultural Extension · Indonesia (Solo)
A descriptive qualitative study in Serengan Urban Village, Solo, aimed to identify internal and external factors influencing the adoption of urban farming TOGA (medicinal plants) in crowded residential areas. Data from observation, interviews, FGS, and document study revealed six strengths, nine weaknesses, seven opportunities, and six threats. Based on these findings, five strategies were proposed to improve community adoption, including enhancing experience, knowledge, awareness, and ability through assistance and cooperation.
CommunityFood educationHealthContenidos de plomo en hortalizas cultivadas en huertos urbanos de la ciudad de Bogotá, Colombia
2021Lili Tatiana Vega Clavijo, Daniel Andrés Vega Castro · Idesia · Colombia (Bogotá)
This study identified lead (Pb) levels in vegetables cultivated in urban gardens located in high-traffic areas of Bogotá, Colombia. Samples were taken from 49 planting sites across the city, analyzing soil, irrigation water, and plant tissue. The analyzed variables did not show abnormal Pb levels when compared to national and international regulations, leading to the conclusion that urban agriculture in Bogotá should not pose a significant chemical risk to consumers from lead ingestion.
HealthAnalysis of the Physical Structure of School Gardens as Learning Environments
2021Zerrin Mercan, Büşra BİLİR, Nilüfer Darıca · Cukurova University Faculty of Education Journal · Turkey
This qualitative study examined the gardens of 27 preschool education institutions in Gaziantep province as physical learning environments. Findings showed that while physical and social areas existed in school gardens, they required qualitative support. Silent areas were very limited and located within vocal areas, and creative and sensory areas were not present in the school gardens.
Limited or null effectFood educationCommunityHealthExamining Food Security, Choices and Barriers among Community Supported Agriculture Participants during COVID- 19 in Kentucky
2021Martha Biddle, JungHee Kang, Julie C. Derringer, Anna M. Rose, D. Brewer, Misook L. Chung, Terry A. Lennie, Gia Mudd‐Martin, Timothy A. Woods · Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition · United States (Kentucky)
A study examined the relationships among food security status, eating patterns, and perceived barriers to food choices among 209 shareholders in a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program in Kentucky during COVID-19 stay-at-home restrictions. The food insecure group (n=33) reported lower consumption of fruits/vegetables and whole grains, greater consumption of fast foods, and more barriers to food choices compared to the food secure group. A low food insecure proportion (16%) among CSA participants suggests a potential role for CSA programs in preventing food insecurity.
CSA & TeikeiFood sovereignty & justiceHealthCommunityCultivating ‘health’ in the school garden
2021Nicole Taylor, Jan Wright, Gabrielle O’Flynn · Sport Education and Society · Australia
This paper, utilizing data from a larger study, investigated how 24 generalist primary and secondary specialist Health and Physical Education (HPE) teachers in Australia conceptualize school gardens within their teaching. It examined the diverse meanings and values teachers associated with gardening as a practice for environmentally healthy citizens. The study aims to provide conditions for critically thinking about gardening and its positioning within HPE, noting a lack of understanding regarding teachers' conceptualizations despite the rapid uptake of school gardening programs.
Food educationHealthNature Experiences of Older People for Active Ageing: An Interdisciplinary Approach to the Co-Design of Community Gardens
2021Marco Boffi, Linda Pola, Natalia Fumagalli, Elisabetta Fermani, Giulio Senes, Paolo Inghilleri · Frontiers in Psychology · Global
This study presents an interdisciplinary co-design method for community gardens, applying attention restoration theory (ART) to understand older people's experiences in natural environments. Six focus group meetings with older people in Milan, Italy, informed the co-design of a restorative area in an Ortica district community garden. Results classified participants' main needs into ART factors: "compatibility" (multifunctional garden), "fascination" (contact with nature), and "being away" (escape from nursing homes), with the designed garden incorporating biophilic principles to address these needs.
ElderlyCommunityHealthThe Effect of Mixed Cultivation Using Companion Plants on the Growth and Quality of Cherry Tomatoes
2021Byoung-Kwon Lee, Hyung Kwon Yun, In-Kyoung Hong, Young-Bin Jung, Sang Mi Lee · Journal of people, plants, and environment · Global
This study investigated the effect of companion planting using marigold, zinnia, spearmint, and basil on the growth and quality of cherry tomatoes. Plant growth in companion planting plots significantly increased compared to monoculture, but there was no interaction effect among companion plants, planting ratio, and type. While sugar content and vitamin C content were higher than the control, no statistically significant difference was found.
DIYFood educationHealthFood
2021Margaret Robertson · · Global
Chapter 13 examines how food is grown, from smallholders and pastoralists to small farmers and industrialized agriculture, addressing issues of ecosystem health, human health, food waste, and the impact of meat diets. It also discusses the importance of pollinators. The chapter then explores finding space for food in cities, including in schools, yards, urban farms, community gardens, and on public lands.
CommunityBiodiversityHealthFood sovereignty & justiceGreen space in urban and peri-urban areas and mental health: which green space typesand characteristics are most beneficial?
2021Femke Beute, Maria Beatrice Andreucci, Annamária Lammel, Zoe G. Davies, Julie Glanville, Hans Keune, Melissa Marselle, Liz O’Brien, Agnieszka Olszewska-Guizzo, Roy Remmen, Alessio Russo, S. de Vries · Research Repository (University of Gloucestershire) · Global
This paper discusses the role of diverse urban green spaces, such as urban forests, parks, and urban farming locations, in the mental and physical health of urban residents. It notes that green spaces vary in characteristics like scenic beauty and vegetative composition. The paper highlights that urbanization and climate change are pressuring urban green spaces, necessitating in-depth knowledge on how different green space types and characteristics influence mental health for informed design and planning.
HealthCommunityClimate changePolicyTAMAN KOMUNITAS BSD: UPAYA KEMBALI PADA ALAM BACK TO NATURE: COMMUNITY GARDEN
2021Fulgentius Rodney, Joko Priyono · Jurnal Sains Teknologi Urban Perancangan Arsitektur (Stupa) · Indonesia
This project in the West BSD area of Indonesia aims to reduce community stress and provide new green spaces in a future CBD area with limited green infrastructure. It proposes a self-sustaining urban farming model where residents grow, care for, and harvest crops for sale or restaurant use, with seeds replanted for new yields. The "Back To Nature: Community Garden" project applies biophilic design to create communal spaces for activities like planting, working, and gathering, fostering interaction among people and with nature.
CommunityHealthBiodiversityEconomicsPerspectives of integrated pest management in CDMX urban agriculture and impacts of SARS-CoV-2 health emergency
2021Jessica Cuevas-Castilleja, Armando Martínez-Luz, Marcelo Adán López-Arzate, Itzel Arlette Ramírez-García, Gustavo Mora‐Aguilera, Norma Ávila-Alistac · Revista mexicana de fitopatología(en línea)/Revista mexicana de fitopatología · Mexico (Mexico City)
This study investigated the impact of COVID-19 on productive activities and the level of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) application among 108 urban agriculture farmers and extensionists in six areas of Mexico City. A digital survey in 2020 revealed that the sanitary emergency reduced extension services, though they continued with digital technologies. During the peak of COVID-19, 14% of farmers declined to sow the summer-fall season, and up to 75% reported 20% losses due to the epidemic. The main pest control strategies were mechanical (67%) and chemical (52%), indicating an intuitive understanding of IPM benefits despite farmers being unaware of its principles.
Economic viabilityHealthEconomicsPolicyFood sovereignty & justiceReviewing chemical and biological risks in urban agriculture: A comprehensive framework for a food safety assessment of city region food systems
2021Enrico Buscaroli, Ilaria Braschi, Chiara Cirillo, Agnès Fargue‐Lelièvre, Giuseppe Carlo Modarelli, Giuseppina Pennisi, Isabella Righini, Kathrin Specht, Francesco Orsini · Food Control · Global
This paper addresses the potential underestimation of food safety risks in urban agriculture (UA), which can lead to regulatory gaps, despite positive perceptions of UA. It reviews literature on UA food safety assessments, identifying indicators and developing a framework for evaluating food safety risks in UA initiatives. The framework uses business surveys and food analyses to calculate a food safety index for UA businesses and city regions.
Contamination & food safetyHealthPolicyDigital agricultureOrganic Medical Plants Urban Farming Based on Family Empowerment on Bekasi, West Java
2021A. Firmansyah Sumardjo · Journal of Hunan University · Indonesia (Bekasi)
This study analyzed the impact of family empowerment on farmer adaptation to the market for urban farming products in Bekasi, West Java, Indonesia. Using participatory action research, data from observations, interviews, and focus group discussions revealed that market demand for organic products drove communities to engage in innovative organic urban farming. Males were involved in land preparation and marketing, while females focused on plant maintenance and harvest processing. The study found that family empowerment, combined with urban farming innovation, leads to business sustainability.
DIYCommunityEconomicsHealthThe Impact of Traffic Noise Pollution on Plant Growth Within Urban Community Gardens
2021Kate Lohrey, Patricia Talarczyk · Journal of Student Research · Global
An experiment over six weeks investigated the impact of traffic noise pollution on plant growth in urban community gardens. Plants exposed to traffic noise showed significantly reduced average height (65.6 mm vs 104.2 mm) and weight (0.85 g vs 1.31 g) compared to those in natural noise conditions. The study found a statistically significant deteriorating effect of traffic noise on plant growth.
Environmental trade-offsCommunityHealthPENDAMPINGAN INTRODUKSI BAYAM BRAZIL SEBAGAI SAYUR PEKARANGAN DI KOTA BANJARBARU
2021Hikma Ellya, Nurlaila Nurlaila, Nukhak Nufita Sari, Rila Rahma Apriani, Ronny Mulyawan, Febriani Purba, Saida Fithria · LOGISTA - Jurnal Ilmiah Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat · Indonesia (Banjarbaru)
A community service activity was conducted in Banjarbaru City, Indonesia, to assist in introducing Brazilian spinach (Alternanthera sissoo) as a yard plant. The activity involved one-day counseling for 59 participants, including chairpersons of farmer women groups, and planting assistance for several farmer women groups. Residents of Banjarbaru showed great enthusiasm for cultivating Brazilian spinach due to its edibility, ease of propagation and cultivation, and aesthetic form.
DIYFood educationCommunityHealthField Notes:* Evaluation of the impacts of a community garden program for veterans on food security and indicators of healthy diets.
2021Karen Besterman‐Dahan, Nora B. Arriola, Sarah Bradley · Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition · United States (Tampa)
A community garden program for veterans in mental health programs at a Veterans’ Administration Hospital in Tampa, Florida, was implemented to evaluate veteran outcomes including food security and nutrition. Evidence suggests these programs can provide a safe space for veterans and positively impact their food security and fruit and vegetable intake.
CommunityHealthWelfarePerspectiva agroecológica en el Antropoceno
2021Miguel A. Altieri, Clara I. Nicholls · Magna Scientia UCEVA · Global
This reflection explores agroecology as a sustainable development alternative for a post-COVID-19 agricultural system, revitalizing peasant agriculture and enhancing urban agriculture. An agroecology-based system can minimize future food supply disruptions by improving links between small-scale food production and local consumption. Agroecology is presented as a strategy for autonomy and resilience, addressing global challenges like climate change and food insecurity.
Food sovereignty & justiceClimate changeBiodiversityHealthUrban–rural linkageUrban Farming During the Pandemic and Its Effect on Everyday Life
2021Maya Andini, Ova Candra Dewi, Annisa Marwati · International Journal of Built Environment and Scientific Research · Global
This study investigated the effects of urban farming in limited spaces during the pandemic on people's health and well-being, using literature review and case studies. Urban farming was found to be beneficial for maintaining people's health and well-being, in addition to supporting food security and benefiting the surrounding environment.
HealthFood sovereignty & justiceCommunitySchool Gardens as a Tool to Improve Student Health Outcomes and Increase Parent Engagement in the Clark County School District
2021Sabina Malik · Digital Scholarship - UNLV (University of Nevada Reno) · United States
This study evaluated the impact of school gardens on student nutrition knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, physical activity, and student connection to gardens in the Clark County School District. It also identified stakeholder perceptions of best practices for parent engagement. A mixed-methods quasi-experimental design compared students with no garden exposure, a new garden, and a well-established garden, finding increases in nutrition knowledge.
Food educationHealthCommunitySustainable and low-cost automated greenhouse prototype with a social focus for integral formation
2021Norma Angélica ÁLVAREZ-TORRES, Omar VELARDE-ANAYA, Mario Balvanedo RODRÍGUEZ-ARENAS, Sara TORRES-ÁLVAREZ · Journal of Technology and Innovation · Global
This project developed a low-cost automated greenhouse prototype, installable on rooftops or gardens, with an electronic control system and user interface for use by children, youth, and adults at the "Manitas que hablan" institution. Through surveys, experiments, and observation, the study demonstrated the feasibility of collaborative work in developing a prototype for seed germination and crop harvesting. It also highlighted the importance of supporting the social sector by promoting urban gardens for the integration of children and young people.
Digital agricultureFood educationHealth