Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
2067 results(38 / 83)
Peri-urban agricultural policies in Canada and France
2019Mikaël Akimowicz, Harry Cummings, Charilaos Képhaliacos, Karen Landman · · Canada
This chapter analyzes the impact of two peri-urban agricultural policies: Ontario’s Greenbelt in Canada and the InterSCoT in Toulouse, France, both aiming to regulate urban sprawl and preserve peri-urban agriculture. Ontario’s Greenbelt is a top-down zoning policy, while Toulouse’s InterSCoT results from municipal coordination. Based on farmer in-depth interviews, the study found that preserving farmland alone is insufficient to maintain a sustainable peri-urban farming sector, emphasizing the need for coordination spaces that include farmers' needs during policy design.
Peri-urban agriculturePolicyEconomicsProduction and economic analysis of a pop-up farm in Mexico City
2019Paucar Guerrero, Laura Muñoz Mata, P.B. Madrigal, J.J.M. Criollo · International Journal of Design & Nature and Ecodynamics · Mexico (Mexico City)
This study proposes using pop-up farms with Mel Bartholomew's system for cultivating local vegetables in Mexico City, utilizing the subtropical highland climate and a rainwater harvesting system. Preliminary results indicate that a pop-up farm can supply a significant fraction of the average yearly family consumption for these vegetables. A cost-benefit analysis suggests that pop-up farms are a viable strategy for providing high-quality food at low costs, contributing to improved health and economic conditions in urban environments.
EconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceClimate changeGardening as More than Urban Agriculture: Perspectives from Smaller Midwestern Cities on Urban Gardening Policies and Practices
2019Christopher Strunk, Ursula Lang · Case Studies in the Environment · United States
This case study examines urban gardening policies and practices in two smaller Midwestern cities, arguing that green space management extends beyond narrow urban agriculture definitions. It highlights the significance of gardening on privately owned land, such as front and back yards, alongside public land. The study demonstrates that urban gardening occurs across public/private property distinctions, involves a broader range of actors, and fosters neighborhood connections for sustainability.
CommunityPolicyUrban–rural linkageNative and non-native plants attract diverse bees to urban gardens in California
2019Gordon W. Frankie, Ingrid Feng, Robbin W. Thorp, Jaime C. Pawelek, Marissa H. Chase, Christopher C. Jadallah, Mark Rizzardi · Journal of Pollination Ecology · United States (California)
An extensive survey of bee-flower collection records from 10 California cities between 2005 and 2011 examined diverse bee species visiting native and non-native ornamental plants. A total of 7,659 bees were examined, identifying 229 bee species visiting both native and non-native plant types. Native bee species were common on both plant types, but substantially more non-native bee species visited non-native plants compared to native plants.
BiodiversityPollinatorsPráticas de agricultura urbana: uma análise do cultivo de hortaliças em telhados verdes
2019Adriane Cordoni Savi, Ormy Leocádio Hutner Júnior, Fernanda Cardoso Faria, Isaura Marques Souza Uhmann · Brazilian Journal of Development · Brazil
This article demonstrates urban and peri-urban agricultural practices in small backyards, remnant residential garden areas, and green roofs. These practices aim to produce food for self-consumption and to foster farming among neighbors for subsistence or as a source of supplementary family income.
DIYCommunityPeri-urban agricultureFood sovereignty & justiceThe experience of natural insecticide in the school garden as a contribution to the teaching of geography
2019Cristiane e Castro Feitosa Melo · LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas) · Brazil (Fortaleza)
This qualitative ethnographic case study in a public school in Fortaleza, Brazil, analyzed the contribution of producing and using natural insecticide in a school garden to geography learning for 8th-9th graders. The experiment focused on fighting leafy ants (Saúvas) and linked environmentalism, geography, and societal comparisons. The study concluded that this educational experiment enhanced training and human actions related to geography and environmental education.
Food educationCommunityEspacios socioculturales y mecanismos de comunicación para el aprendizaje y apropiación de conocimientos sobre el uso de plantas medicinales y gastronómicas en San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas
2019Cinthia Asunción Peralta-González, Rodolfo Mondragón-Ríos, Eduardo Bello Baltazar · Estudios Sociales Revista de Alimentación Contemporánea y Desarrollo Regional · Mexico (San Cristóbal de Las Casas)
This qualitative study analyzed sociocultural spaces and communication mechanisms used for collective learning and knowledge appropriation regarding medicinal and gastronomic plant use among residents of San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico. Ethnographic techniques were employed with members of the urban agriculture network Sembrando Jovel, citizens from the Santa Lucía neighborhood, and various city markets. Results identified formal, non-formal, and informal spaces linked by communication mechanisms such as intergenerational coexistence, daily practices, experimentation, knowledge exchange, classes, courses, workshops, diplomas, and mass media. The study was limited to a small number of families (four cases) in the Santa Lucía neighborhood regarding the domestic sphere. As a result of appropriation processes, knowledge about medicinal and gastronomic plant uses has been re-signified, adopting critical stances against food industries and in favor of personal, social, and cultural well-being.
CommunityFood educationHeirloom & landraceFormative Evaluation of a Food Access Enhanced Nutrition Education Program
2019Jared T. McGuirt · Carolina Digital Repository (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) · United States
This mixed-methods formative evaluation, part of a larger randomized trial in four US states, assessed an affordable Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program integrated into federal nutrition education. A survey of 262 low-income adults showed high interest (85%), with more interest if a CSA was included (84%). A choice experiment (n=42) indicated preferences for a large, mixed-variety CSA box, distributed twice monthly for under $15, and not significantly further than a supermarket.
CSA & TeikeiFood educationWelfareCommunityFood (in)security in urban peripheries: the case of Maré, Rio de Janeiro
2019Antonis Vradis, Timo Bartholl · Journal of the British Academy · Brazil (São Paulo)
This article discusses urban food insecurity and the right to the city in Brazil, specifically in the Maré complex of favelas in Rio de Janeiro. An action-research approach was deployed to study food insecurity, situated in the context of increasing securitization in Brazilian urban peripheries and the ensuing obstacles to populations' right to the city. The article proposes the agroecological approach as a potential avenue to achieve popular food sovereignty in these urban peripheries of the Global South.
Food sovereignty & justicePeri-urban agricultureEconomicsCommunityAGRICULTURA URBANA E PERIURBANA: POTENCIALIDADES E LIMITAÇÕES PARA O DESENVOLVIMENTO DO MUNICÍPIO DE BENEVIDES (PA)
2019Glenda Maria Braga Abud, Maria Lúcia Bahia Lopes, Rosália do Socorro da Silva Corrêa, Ruth Helena Cristo Almeida · Revista em Agronegócio e Meio Ambiente · Brazil (Benevides)
A descriptive survey was conducted with 25 producers in Benevides municipality, Pará State, Brazil, to analyze the contribution of flower and ornamental plant production to local development. The activity was found to be essentially subsistence-based, with low articulation among producers and technological and productive limitations. These aspects resulted in a restricted capacity to contribute to development in the studied municipality.
Economic viabilityPeri-urban agricultureEconomicsUrban–rural linkageO Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar como promotor de ações de Educação Alimentar e Nutricional nas escolas do Brasil
2019Isabela Cicaroni Ottoni, Bruno Oliveira, Daniel Henrique Bandoni · O Mundo da Saúde · Brazil
This study evaluated the presence of Food and Nutrition Education (FNE) actions within Brazil's National School Feeding Program (NSFP) and identified predictors for running school gardens, using 2010 secondary data from 749 municipalities. Binary logistic regression showed that the presence of FNE in school curricula was the most significant predictor of running school gardens (OR=2.406). This was followed by the use of food from family farms (OR=2.049) and the carrying out of culinary workshops (OR=2.032). The presence of FNE in the school curriculum was positively associated with growing vegetable gardens.
Food educationCommunityPolicyAgriculturas urbanas em São Paulo: histórico e tipologia
2019Eduardo de Lima Caldas, Martin Jayo · Confins · Brazil (São Paulo)
This article aims to contribute to the knowledge of contemporary urban agriculture policies and practices in São Paulo, Brazil. It traces the history of urban agriculture in the city since the 1980s and analyzes current practices resulting from this history. The analysis indicates that initiatives and policies in the sector have historically oscillated between two distinct modalities of urban agriculture: “scale urban agriculture” and “visibility urban agriculture.” These two modalities, resulting from different actor articulations and attributing different meanings to urban agriculture practice, still coexist in the city today, with the former generally located in peripheral areas and the latter concentrated in more central regions.
PolicyUrban–rural linkageCommunityEconomicsInclusive Scholarship: Extension Program Participants as Poster Coauthors
2019Deanna L. Wilkinson, Jan B. Carroll · Journal of Extension · United States
This article discusses inclusive scholarship through the involvement of community partners and youth participants from an urban gardening program as coauthors and copresenters of a poster at a community engagement conference. Including these participants helped Extension professionals reach a wider audience, deepen relationships, empower youth, and improve data quality.
CommunityFood educationHow to Establish an Urban Agriculture Ordinance
2019Candace A Spencer, Catherine Campbell, Anna Prizzia, Liz Felter · EDIS · United States
This 11-page document provides an overview of key information required to establish an urban agriculture ordinance, offering guidance for Extension agents and interested citizens. It includes real-world examples from urban agriculture initiatives in Florida, detailing required activities, potential challenges, and beneficial partners. Resources related to the case studies and additional urban agriculture resources are provided at the end of the document.
PolicyCommunityCarolina Campus Community Garden: Institutionalizing the Campus Community Garden as a Model for Sustainable Food and Gardening Education in the UNC Community
2019Anne Cabell, Veronica Conti, Trent E. Johnson, Shelly Yu, Chris Akiba · Carolina Digital Repository (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) · United States
The Carolina Campus Community Garden (CCCG) aims to improve access to fresh fruits and vegetables for UNC's lowest-paid employees and serve as a learning community for gardening education. Currently, CCCG lacks a permanent land plot and sufficient ongoing funding, necessitating institutionalization within UNC to secure a permanent location, sustained funding, and increased utilization. A Capstone student team conducted formative research, including a literature review, semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, focus groups with housekeepers, and surveys with students and administrators, to understand community needs and beliefs.
CommunityFood educationWelfarePolicy[IN1255] Attracting Native Bees to Your Florida Landscape
2019Rachel E. Mallinger, Anne Yasalonis, Gary W. Knox, Wayne Hobbs · EDIS · United States (Florida)
This 7-page fact sheet aims to conserve approximately 315 species of native wild bees in Florida. Published by the UF/IFAS Entomology and Nematology Department, it shows how gardeners and land managers can aid bee conservation efforts by planting flowers in home or community gardens.
BiodiversityPollinatorsCommunityDIYMulti‐scalar drivers of biodiversity: local management mediates wild bee community response to regional urbanization
2019Kimberly M. Ballare, John L. Neff, Rebecca Ruppel, Shalene Jha · Ecological Applications · United States
This study assessed bee community composition at 20 grassland and 20 agriculture sites across two US metroplexes over three time periods, identifying 172 species from nearly 13,000 specimens. It found that regional land use differentially impacted bee abundance and diversity depending on local habitat management. Local bare ground and floral richness were significantly related to multiple metrics of bee diversity.
BiodiversityPollinatorsUrban–rural linkageWild Bee Conservation within Urban Gardens and Nurseries: Effects of Local and Landscape Management
2019Monika Egerer, Jacob M. Cecala, Hamutahl Cohen · Sustainability · United States (California)
This study compared the effects of local and landscape features on wild bee species abundance and richness in 19 gardens and 11 nurseries in California, USA. Local features such as floral richness and ground cover, and landscape features like impervious land cover, were assessed. In gardens, floral richness, local habitat size, and urban land cover impacted wild bee species richness, while in nurseries, floral richness and the proportion of native plant species impacted wild bee abundance and richness.
BiodiversityPollinatorsCommunityAGRICULTURE IN URBAN ECOSYSTEMS: A STEP TO CITIES SUSTAINABILITY1
2019THAYZA DE OLIVEIRA BATITUCCI, Erika Cortines, Fábio Souto Almeida, Ângela Alves de Almeida · Ambiente & sociedade · Brazil (Rio de Janeiro)
This study analyzed the interactions of agricultural activities and the urban ecosystem through a literature review and a case study of an Urban Agriculture program in the metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It found that urban agriculture provides considerable ecosystem services, generates income, increases biodiversity conservation, and fosters social inclusion. The research concludes that urban agriculture functions as a mechanism for achieving equilibrium among the components of the urban ecosystem.
Climate changeEconomicsBiodiversityCommunityAn Assesment of the Preferences of Urban Residents for Green Space
2019Isaiah O. Aridou, Nicholas Robert Alescio, Rachael E. Mair · Digital WPI · United States
This project assessed urban residents' preferences for green space in their communities to inform the Massachusetts Statewide Land Conservation Plan. Through eight case studies and surveys and interviews with urban residents, the study identified parks, community gardens, and walking paths as the top preferences. Recommendations included considering parking availability, utilizing NGO connections, and conducting more data collection for green space development.
CommunityPolicyHealthRetaining Members of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) in California for Economic Sustainability: What Characteristics Affect Retention Rates?
2019Ryan E. Galt, Julia Van Soelen Kim, Kate Munden-Dixon, Libby Christensen, Katharine A. Bradley · Sustainability · United States (California)
A survey of 111 Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farms in California, United States, analyzed factors influencing CSA member retention rates. The study used bivariate correlations and ordinary least squares (OLS) multiple regression models to examine variables across five domains: CSA management, farmer, farm, economic characteristics, and region. Findings led to recommendations for CSA farmers and supporting organizations, including increasing season length and crop diversity, incorporating fruit into shares, aligning practices with organic standards, reducing inter-CSA competition, and adjusting marketing regions in saturated areas.
CSA & TeikeiEconomicsCommunityFarm City
2019Mark Pontious · Journal of College Orientation Transition and Retention · United States
This article reviews Novella Carpenter's book "Farm City," which details her experiences as an urban farmer in Oakland, United States. The book describes her journey from an abandoned lot to building an urban garden and raising animals, exploring themes of discovery, responsibility, and trial-and-error. It offers discussion points for first-year college students.
DIYCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceDigging Deeper: Photovoice and Youth Identity in the Garden
2019Samathryn Witham · Carolina Digital Repository (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) · United States
This Photovoice study, conducted over a 10-week youth summer program at an urban community garden, involved teenage photographers documenting their food experiences. The youth created a creative project and exhibit, using popular food media slogans to promote local food, defy stereotypes, and explore their identities as gardeners and media producers.
CommunityFood educationHealthLandscape discourses and community garden design: creating community gardens in one mid-sized southern US city
2019Amanda Rees, Bertram Melix · Studies in the History of Gardens & Designed Landscapes · United States
The abstract mentions the establishment of the White House Kitchen Garden by First Lady Michelle Obama in 2009, referencing Roosevelt's Victory Garden. It briefly notes the garden's extent compared to a previous First Lady's initiative.
CommunityPolicyUrban–rural linkageVisceral Encounters: A Political Ecology of Urban Land, Food, and Housing in Dubuque, Iowa
2019Carrie Chennault, Laura Klavitter, Lynn Sutton · Social Sciences · United States (Dubuque, Iowa)
This article, co-authored by a university scholar and community gardeners in Dubuque, Iowa, USA, analyzes food, land, and housing issues in marginalized communities using extended conversations and interviews. The study applies a Political Ecology of the Body framework to understand how bodily, emotional, and social lives impact relations with food and gardening. Findings indicate that community gardening transforms the Washington and North End neighborhoods, though changes may seem small, and highlight ongoing anti-oppression and anti-racism work.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justicePolicy