Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
2058 results(38 / 83)
As exigências cognitivas e a complexidade do trabalho para o agricultor urbano: um estudo de caso
2021Larissa Maas, Leila Amaral Gontijo · Saúde e Sociedade · Global
This case study investigated the cognitive demands and work complexity for urban organic farmers whose main economic activity is selling their products. The findings indicate that the cognitive load for these farmers is high, contributing to complex work. The study notes a lack of existing research on the cognitive load of organic urban agriculture workers, as it is still a nascent movement.
Limited or null effectEconomicsHealthPolicyProximity of Urban Farms to Contaminated Sites in Baltimore, Maryland
2021Isabel Shargo, Jonathan Hall, Ashley Deng, Niya Khanjar, Camryn Edwards, Isabelle Berman, Joseph Galarraga, Sacoby Wilson · Landscape Journal · United States (Baltimore)
This study in Baltimore, Maryland, used GIS mapping and hotspot analysis to assess the proximity of urban farms to environmental hazards. Most urban farms were located in low-income communities of color. However, most environmental hazards were not near urban farms but in predominantly White areas or historical industrial centers. Despite a generally low risk of contamination, some urban farms in low-income and Black/African American communities were potentially contaminated by hazardous sites.
Contamination & food safetyHealthCommunityTren Urban Farming Selama Pandemi Covid-19 dan Manfaatnya Terhadap Lingkungan dan Gizi Masyarakat
2021Afrah, Anastasia Rouli Alodia, Angela Olivia Sitompul · HEALTH CARE JURNAL KESEHATAN · Indonesia
This qualitative study, using a literature review approach, investigated the trend of urban farming during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia and its benefits for the environment and community nutrition. As people were encouraged to stay home during the pandemic, urban farming became a popular choice. Urban farming benefits the environment by helping to lower urban temperatures and building temperatures, minimizing air conditioner use, and reducing air pollution levels. It also benefits nutrition by increasing food security and improving community nutritional status.
CommunityHealthClimate changeTo What Extent Do Local Farmers' Markets, Community Supported Agriculture Programs, and Community Gardens Help Low-Income Families Improve Access to Fresh, Local Produce?
2021Christy Gene Somsen · Digital Commons - USU (Utah State University) · United States (Utah)
Farmers’ markets, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs, and community gardens, while aiming to help low-income families access fresh produce, often assist more middle-class families. In Utah, these programs could be improved, as the state does not utilize the WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program or accept WIC Cash Value Vouchers, and has few Farm to School Programs.
Equity & displacementCommunityCSA & TeikeiWelfareHealthPolicyFood educationPELATIHAN DAN PENYULUHAN MANFAAT CIPLUKAN BAGI KESEHATAN DAN BUDIDAYANYA DI KECAMATAN SUMBERWRINGIN DAN KECAMATAN MAESAN KABUPATEN BONDOWOSO
2021Tuti Kusumaningsih, Rini Devijаnti Ridwаn, Sidarningsih Sidarningsih · Jurnal Layanan Masyarakat (Journal of Public Services) · Indonesia
In the Maesan and Sumberwringin sub-districts of Bondowoso Regency, Indonesia, community groups lacked knowledge and information regarding the health benefits, economic value, and cultivation of ciplukan (Physalis angulata L). To address this, the Community Service Team of the Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Airlangga, designed an activity to provide counseling and promote ciplukan as a medicinal plant, offer information on its health benefits and cultivation, and distribute ciplukan plants as an initial step. This activity received a very good response from the local community.
Food educationCommunityEconomicsHealthCompost Based on Pulp and Paper Mill Sludge, Fruit-Vegetable Waste, Mushroom Spent Substrate and Rye Straw Improves Yield and Nutritional Value of Tomato
2021Agnieszka Zawadzińska, Piotr Salachna, J. Nowak, Waldemar Kowalczyk, Rafał Piechocki, Łukasz Łopusiewicz, Anna Pietrak · Agronomy · Global
This study investigated the use of compost made from pulp and paper mill sludge, fruit-vegetable waste, mushroom spent substrate, and rye straw as a growing medium for container-cultivated tomatoes. Tomato plants grown in compost-enriched media showed higher leaf greening, more ripe fruit, and increased levels of polyphenols, flavonoids, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and copper compared to controls. Specifically, a medium with 25% compost, 30% high peat, 15% low peat, 20% pine bark, and 10% wood fiber yielded the highest fresh fruit weight, total polyphenol content, and L-ascorbic acid levels.
CompostOrganic cycleDIYHealthBlocking out the rabbit holes: Photovoice and community gardening as a healing space for veterans
2021Karen Besterman‐Dahan, Sarah Bradley, Nora B. Arriola, Kiersten Downs · Wellbeing Space and Society · United States
In collaboration with a local garden, an evaluation explored the perceived benefits of gardening for veterans from two Veterans Affairs (VA) programs in the United States. Using focus groups and photovoice methods, four main benefits of participation were revealed: supporting mental and emotional wellbeing, improving socialization and comradery, nurturing life and identity, and learning new skills.
CommunityHealthWelfareTrend Analysis of Grow-Your-Own Using Social Network Analysis: Focusing on Hashtags on Instagram
2021Yumin Park, Yong-Wook Shin · Journal of people, plants, and environment · Global
A study analyzed the trends and network structure of 'grow-your-own (GYO)' activities by collecting 6,388 Instagram posts containing '#gyo' and '#growyourown' hashtags from June 13, 2020, to April 13, 2021, using social network analysis. The results showed that users expressed preference and interest in GYO through various word combinations, positive emotions and pride through gardening-related hashtags, and participated in urban gardening, indicating trends towards self-sufficiency and sustainable living.
DIYHealthCommunityFood educationDifferences in motivations and social impacts across urban agriculture types: Case studies in Europe and the US
2021Caitlin K. Kirby, Kathrin Specht, Runrid Fox-Kämper, Jason K. Hawes, Nevin Cohen, Silvio Caputo, Rositsa T. Ilieva, Agnès Lelièvre, Lidia Poniży, Victoria Schoen, Chris Blythe · Landscape and Urban Planning · Europe; United States
This study quantitatively assessed motivations and social impacts across different urban agriculture types using survey data from 74 sites in Europe and the US. It identified four scales: general wellbeing, nutritional health, economic interests, and socialization motivations. Multivariate analysis revealed significant differences in motivations and reported impacts across urban agriculture types. Participants with stronger economic interests, socialization motivations, or who were plot owners/operators reported greater general wellbeing impacts.
HealthEconomicsCommunityFood educationEdible Green Infrastructure for Urban Regeneration and Food Security: Case Studies from the Campania Region
2020Alessio Russo, Giuseppe T. Cirella · Agriculture, 10(8), 358 · Global
An empirical study analyzing ten edible green infrastructure (EGI) urban-regeneration case studies in Italy's Campania region through the lens of community development, involvement and education. It documents how citizen-engaged urban gardens contribute to public health (stress reduction, physical activity) and the regeneration of derelict land, with sustainability strengthened by far-sighted urban planning across all five provinces.
CommunityHealthFood educationWelfareEconomicsThe Role of Smart Technology in Sustainable Agriculture: A Case Study of Wangree Plant Factory
2020Santiteerakul S., Sopadang A., Yaibuathet Tippayawong K., Tamvimol K. · Sustainability (MDPI) · Thailand
Case study of Thailand's Wangree Health Factory plant factory showing how smart technology enhances productivity, product quality, resource-use efficiency, food safety, and employee quality of life, evidencing the business performance of corporate urban farming.
EconomicsHealthPotential of a Small Indoor Plant on the Desk for Reducing Office Workers' Stress
2020Toyoda M., Yokota Y., Barnes M., Kaneko M. · HortTechnology · Japan
Real-office study in Japan showing that intentional contact with a small desk plant reduces office workers' psychological and physiological stress, supporting planting and gardening interventions in the workplace.
HealthWelfare郊外部住宅地の再生に向けて―上郷ネオポリスにおける取組―
2020小杉 理理子 · 日本不動産学会誌 34巻2号 p.108 · Japan
Introduces the Kamigo Neopolis machizukuri agreement between Yokohama City and Daiwa House Industry, reporting collaboration among residents, government, and the developer to regenerate a suburban detached-housing district through gathering spaces and community building.
CommunityPolicyHealthImproving lifestyles sustainability through community gardening: results and lessons learnt from the JArDinS quasi-experimental study
2020Tharrey M., Sachs A., Perignon M., Simon C., Mejean C., Litt J., Darmon N. · BMC Public Health · France (Montpellier)
A quasi-experimental study in Greater Montpellier comparing 66 new community garden participants with 66 matched controls found no significant shifts toward more sustainable lifestyles (diet, physical activity, well-being) after one year of garden participation.
CommunityHealthWelfare'If I want safe food I have to grow it myself': Patterns and motivations of urban agriculture in a small city in Vietnam's northern borderlands
2020Pham T.T.H., Turner S. · Land Use Policy · Vietnam (Lào Cai)
Research in Lào Cai, a small border city in northern Vietnam, finds that access to 'safe and clean' vegetables—motivated by distrust of pesticide use—is the primary driver of urban food growing, rather than subsistence food needs.
HealthCommunityPolicyCOVID-19 Outbreak and Urban Green Space, Food Security, and Quality of Life: Case of Urban Home Gardens in Kandy, Sri Lanka
2020Dissanayake L., Dilini S. · Open Journal of Social Sciences · Sri Lanka (Kandy)
A questionnaire-based study in the Kandy municipal area found that urban home gardens significantly contributed to household food security and quality of life during COVID-19 lockdowns, with social well-being and mental health benefits highlighted across all satisfaction levels.
HealthCommunityFood educationWelfarePositive aging benefits of home and community gardening activities: Older adults report enhanced self-esteem, productive endeavours, social engagement and exercise
2020Scott T.L., Masser B.M., Pachana N.A. · SAGE Open Medicine, 8:2050312120901732 · Australia
A study of older Australians examining links between home and community gardening and psychosocial and physical well-being. Older gardeners reported greater self-esteem, sense of productive endeavour, social engagement and exercise, associated with more positive attitudes to ageing. It shows allotments and gardening groups can protect older adults from isolation and support positive ageing.
ElderlyHealthWelfareCommunityDevelopment and validation of the Just Community Gardening Survey: A measure of the social and dietary outcomes of community garden participation
2020Kate G. Burt, Kathleen Delgado · Electronic Green Journal · United States (New York)
This study developed and validated a survey measuring the social and dietary outcomes of community garden participation in relation to food-system equity, testing it with community gardeners in New York City (n=38). The resulting 25-item Just Community Gardening Survey showed high test-retest reliability and internal consistency and covers domains such as social cohesion, collective efficacy, dietary intake, and food access, incorporating food-justice aspects not assessed in prior research.
CommunityHealthPolicyAnalysis of the Soil Microbiome of a Los Angeles Urban Farm
2020Savanah St. Clair, Maryam Saraylou, Daila Melendez, Norman Senn, Serina Reitz, Destini Kananipour, Angelo Alvarez · Applied and Environmental Soil Science · United States (Los Angeles)
This research characterized the arable soils at Los Angeles Pierce College to address health and food-security challenges, using soil physical/chemical measurements, microbial cultivation, and 16S rDNA sequencing on a citizen-science platform. It found plant-growth-promoting, antibiotic-producing and bioremediating bacteria—including abundant Streptomyces, Bacillus and Methylobacteria—across fields with distinct microclimates, and tests indicated that plant-based oils could control antibiotic-resistant bacteria more effectively than common antibiotics. The authors say the results can guide future trials and product development by identifying target soil microorganisms and the most viable fields.
BiodiversityHealthOrganic cycleTowards the Healthy Community: Residents' Perceptions of Integrating Urban Agriculture into the Old Community Micro-Transformation in Guangzhou, China
2020· Sustainability · China (Guangzhou)
Surveys residents' perceptions of integrating urban agriculture into micro-transformation of old communities in Guangzhou, discussed through the lens of building a healthy community.
HealthCommunityLow Tunnels Reduce Insect Populations, Insecticide Application, and Chewing Insect Damage on Brussels Sprouts
2020· Journal of Economic Entomology · USA
Tests low-cost, spun-bonded-fabric low tunnels as a physical barrier against airborne insects on Brussels sprouts. Finds they reduce insect populations, insecticide applications, and chewing damage.
DIYHealthExercise and Horticultural Programs for Older Adults with Depressive Symptoms and Memory Problems: A Randomized Controlled Trial
2020· Journal of Clinical Medicine · Japan
An RCT assigned 89 older adults with depressive symptoms and mild memory decline to exercise, horticultural, or control groups; the horticultural program comprised 20 weekly 90-minute sessions of field cultivation, growing, and harvesting.
ElderlyHealthEffects of Types of Horticultural Activity on the Physical and Mental State of Elderly Individuals
2020Tu P.-C., Cheng W.-C., Hou P.-C., Chang Y.-S. · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · Taiwan
A study in Taiwan with 27 elderly participants (aged 60-76) evaluating four horticultural activities, measuring effects on salivary amylase activity, pulse rate, and mood (POMS), with artistic-creation and food-tasting types showing promise for relaxation and stress reduction.
ElderlyHealthAssessing Human Health Risks from Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance (PFAS)-Impacted Vegetable Consumption: A Tiered Modeling Approach
2020· Environmental Science & Technology · United States
Using a tiered model, the study shows that consuming vegetables grown in PFAS-impacted soil or irrigation water can be an important human exposure pathway, raising concern over produce from contaminated sites.
HealthMonitoring and mitigation of toxic heavy metals and arsenic accumulation in food crops: A case study of an urban community garden
2020Cooper A., Felix D., Alcantara F., Schroeder J. · Plant Direct · USA (San Diego)
At an urban community garden in San Diego, in-ground vegetables and fruit trees accumulated lead and arsenic, showing urban garden soils can contaminate food crops; raised beds with clean soil eliminated detectable contamination.
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