Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
892 results(36 / 36)
Citywide System for Environmental Self-help and the Landscape Architect Karl Linn
2002Feng We · · United States
This article details the landscape philosophy of Karl Linn, a landscape architect, through his project practices. It discusses the inevitability and importance of establishing a citywide system for environmental self-help, which is common in US community gardens.
CommunityDIYHongos que causan damping-off en el tomate y control con Trichoderma harzianum cepa A34 para el manejo integrado de plagas del cultivo en Cuba.
2002I. Sandoval, Marco López, M. Stefanova, B. Bernal, Mario Oswaldo Siles Neyra, Daniela Rodríguez García, F. Rodríguez · · Cuba
This study identified major fungal species causing damping-off in tomato seedlings in Cuba, with Rhizoctonia solani present in 50% of samples, Phytophthora parasitica in 41%, and Pythium aphanidermatum in 8.3%. Seed treatment with the antagonist Trichoderma harzianum (strain A34) increased germination to 100% in Floradel, Lignon, Placero, Criollo, and Campbell-28 varieties, compared to 70-80% in untreated ones. This treatment also increased seedling weight and fruit size, and for the Placero variety, it resulted in over 50% higher harvest, yielding a profit of $560.12.
DIYOrganic cycleDrip Irrigation for Small Farmers: A New Initiative to Alleviate Hunger and Poverty
2001· Water International · Global
Describes a spectrum of drip systems keyed to income and farm size (beginning with a US$5 bucket kit for home gardens) as a means to alleviate hunger and poverty among poor farmers.
DIYEconomicsBuried clay pot irrigation: a little known but very efficient traditional method of irrigation
2001· Agricultural Water Management · Global
Presents buried, unglazed porous clay pot irrigation, in which water seeps through the pot wall at a plant-driven rate, as a highly efficient low-cost traditional method well suited to small farmers.
DIYFuentes y proporciones en sustratos para organopónico
2001E. Pena, M. V. Carrion · · Cuba
Four experiments were conducted at INIFAT experimental plots on organoponicos (horticulture on organic substrates) in Cuban urban agriculture. The study investigated substrate preparation methods, sources and proportions, fertility maintenance with organic fertilizers, and earthworm inoculation. Key findings indicated that substrates should be mixed homogeneously, and many crops showed better yields with 75% Cachaza mixtures. Decreases in nutrient and organic matter content led to a gradual decline in yield, while earthworm humus application and direct inoculation maintained fertility and increased yields.
Organic cycleDIYUtilización de una técnica de secado solar para la conservación de alimentos y semillas en condiciones rústicas
2001Nercy Rodríguez de la Rosa, Raimundo M. Díaz Esquivel, Lissett Gutiérrez Hernández, Susana Pérez Talavera, Francisco M. Pérez Tabares · Alimentaria · Global
This study aimed to establish a methodology for using solar dryers for food and seed preservation under rustic conditions. It was established that condiments and seeds can be dried in approximately 3 days, maintaining their qualities and offering additional sanitary advantages. The manufacturing of solar dryers is very simple and does not require large investments.
Food lossDIYOrganic cycleVegetable Growing as a Teaching Material for Environmental Education : (1) Utilization of LISH (Low-Input Sustainable Horticulture) and Vegetable Garden as a School Garden
2000智 藤田, Satoshi FUJITA · Institutional Repositories DataBase (IRDB) · Japan
At Keisen Women's College farm in Japan, the potential of using Low-Input Sustainable Horticulture (LISH) and vegetable gardening as environmental education materials was investigated over 15 years, starting in 1984. The study found that 16 different vegetable varieties could be grown organically, but cucumbers, other fruit/vegetables, and Cruciferae were virtually impossible to grow organically. However, damage could be reduced for some varieties through specific cultivation methods, and the vegetable garden was found to maintain beauty even in cold seasons and provide a suitable hands-on learning experience for environment and food.
Limited or null effectFood educationDIYOrganic cycleAbout the Meaning and Role of Edible Landscape in Urban Residential Area
1999Isami Kinoshita, Jin Yoshikawa · Journal of the City Planning Institute of Japan · Japan
This study identified the meaning and role of edible landscapes in urban residential areas by comparing three districts in Japan: Nezu, Taishido, and Kokubunji-shinmachi. Through observation, interviews, and questionnaires, five common meanings and roles were found, including providing fresh food, fostering memories, promoting communication, preserving folk customs, and encouraging ecological thinking despite maintenance challenges.
CommunityFood educationDIYTierra Nueva -- A passive solar cohousing project
1999K. Haggard, Phillip J. Cooper · Solar today · United States (California)
The Tierra Nueva Cohousing Project in California comprises living units, a common house, community orchard, community gardens, play space, future shop space, and parking. The units incorporate thermal mass, solar heating, passive solar cooling, and perimeter insulation on slabs. The design of the project was collectively agreed upon by the entire community.
CommunityDIYClimate changeSustainable living demonstration center creates solar markets
1996J. Lambie, W.T. Osborn, A. Dominski · OSTI OAI (U.S. Department of Energy Office of Scientific and Technical Information) · United States (Florida)
The Florida House Foundation, Inc. (FHF), a non-profit regional economic incubator, developed a demonstration house and yard in Sarasota County, Florida, in partnership with the Cooperative Extension Service. This model home, designed to appeal to consumers and be marketable by the construction industry, aimed to stimulate interest in solar and resource-efficient technologies. It incorporated active and passive design, solar photovoltaic and water heating systems, daylighting, cisterns, gray water, and native edible landscaping.
DIYClimate changeFood educationRecognizing Ethiopia's urban farmers.
1993Lee M · PubMed · Ethiopia
In Ethiopia, urban agriculture faces significant challenges due to government disapproval of public land use for farming and difficulty in obtaining credit. A 1983 survey in Addis Ababa found that 17% of 1352 households produced their own food on less than 25 sq. meters, with 90% of non-farmers citing lack of land. Despite urban agricultural cooperatives demonstrating 70% higher member income, their lack of government legalization prevents access to loans for productivity improvement.
Governance failureCommunityEconomicsPolicyFood sovereignty & justiceHealthWelfareClimate changeUrban–rural linkagePeri-urban agricultureFood educationBiodiversityCompostDIYElderlyFood lossHeirloom & landraceOrganic cyclePollinatorsFood miles & supply chainCSA & TeikeiDigital agricultureMedicinal plants and primary health care: part 2.
1991· PubMed · Global
This paper emphasizes the need for technological infrastructure to maximize the value of medicinal plants within primary health care (PHC). The WHO Programme on Traditional Medicine highlights the importance of appropriate drug availability in PHC and recommends cultivating medicinal plants in home or community gardens. It advocates for strengthening data gathering and analysis capabilities for economic mapping of medicinal flora in developing countries and for clinical research on the safety and efficacy of herbal medicines used by traditional health practitioners.
CommunityHealthDIYTilapia culture in conjunction with irrigation and urban farming. Final report
1983K. Bondari, E. D. Threadgill, J. Bender · OSTI OAI (U.S. Department of Energy Office of Scientific and Technical Information) · United States
This study conducted two experiments on tilapia culture. Experiment I aimed to determine the potential of Tilapia aurea in an integrated irrigation system for algae removal and resource recovery. Experiment II investigated the potential use of blue tilapia in urban farming, utilizing a passive solar greenhouse, an indoor pond for overwintering, and an outdoor pond for summer growth.
DIYOrganic cycleUrban–rural linkageVegetables Food for man and animals
1980· Nutrition & Food Science · Global
The Institute of Biology held a symposium to assess the value of vegetables for feeding people and livestock. The symposium considered the energy, labor, and monetary inputs required for vegetable production across various scales, from allotments to large market gardens. Discussions also included the role of traditional and unconventional animal species within vegetable growing systems.
DIYCommunityEconomicsPlants as “Children” in Introductory Child Psychology
1979William E. Roweton · Psychological Reports · Global
This study discussed the instructional advantages of growing vegetable seedlings in an introductory child psychology course. The project drew students' attention to the importance of nutrition in child development, as well as the popularity and practicalities of urban gardening. Additionally, the activity of "raising" plants proved to be a provocative analogy to "rearing" children.
Food educationHealthDIYOrganizing community gardens: bibliography
1978M. Klein, M. Smith · OSTI OAI (U.S. Department of Energy Office of Scientific and Technical Information) · United States
This bibliography lists pamphlets and newsletters related to organizing community gardens in the United States. It includes resources such as "Community Garden Handbook," "Guide to Community Garden Organization," and "Profiles of California Community Garden Projects." The bibliography also references the 1977 Gallup Poll results on gardening in America.
CommunityDIYPolicyStarting a Community Garden
1969Eva C. Worden, Adrian Hunsberger, John McLaughlin · EDIS · United States (Florida)
This publication was developed to assist those who wish to form a community garden in Florida. A community garden is a collaborative greenspace where participants share in both maintenance and rewards. This document is part of a series from the Environmental Horticulture Department at the University of Florida.
CommunityDIY