Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
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2066 results(58 / 83)
EATING ECOLOGIES: INTEGRATING PRODUCTIVE ECOLOGIES AND FORAGING AT THE LANDSCAPE SCALE
2015Matthew Potteiger · · United States (New York City)
This paper explores a fundamental shift in urban agriculture based on productive urban ecologies and foraging practices. Part one identifies urban foraging as a significant cultural practice, summarizing ethnographic research in Syracuse and New York City, and a multi-city USDA Forest Service study. Part two focuses on design strategies for urban foraging and productive ecologies, presenting case studies and design proposals for Syracuse and New York City. The study outlines a paradigm shift in design and planning to integrate urban agriculture with critical landscape systems and re-localize urban metabolism.
CommunityBiodiversityUrban–rural linkageFinancing Local Food Factories
2015Stephen R. Miller · · United States (Newark, New Jersey)
This article proposes a new approach to financing local food, viewing it as a finance problem similar to urban manufacturing, to scale up local food production. It explores the necessity of large-scale urban agriculture, focusing on vertical farms, and examines creative financing examples like AeroFarms in Newark, New Jersey. The paper suggests deploying existing and potential financing types, modeled on economic development agreements, to advance local food initiatives.
Economic viabilityEconomicsUrban–rural linkageDigital agricultureCBHL Members. CBHL 2015 Annual Meeting: Taste, Tradition and Beauty in the Edible Landscape. Saturday tours.
2015Bill Musser · · United States (Iowa)
The CBHL 2015 annual meeting and conference was hosted by Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, Iowa, from June 16-20, 2015. The conference theme reflected the growing public interest in creating edible landscapes.
Heirloom & landraceBiodiversityFood educationMaking the Garden a Viable Part of Curriculum
2015Laura Forbes · Digital Commons - CSUMB (California State University, Monterey Bay) · United States (California)
School gardens are common in elementary schools, but teachers find it challenging and unnecessary to incorporate them into their time and everyday curriculum due to time restrictions and the need to focus on required classroom curriculum. This capstone focuses on the beneficial factors students can receive by properly implementing the school garden into everyday curriculum and how teachers can successfully incorporate it. By creating a garden-based program and lesson plans that incorporate required subjects, teachers can spend the necessary time teaching required subjects while utilizing the school garden.
Limited or null effectFood educationDiversity-Grown: Participatory Evaluation of a Community Gardening Initiative through Photovoice
2015P. Qasimah Boston, Ivette A López, Krista Harper · Practicing Anthropology · United States (Tallahassee)
This study used Photovoice to evaluate an urban agricultural food movement event in Tallahassee, Florida. Youth were trained to collect and interpret data, describing the event's value and highlighting cultural influences on the food environment, including diversity and inclusion. The evaluation method, termed Evaluation for Community Action (EFCA), linked improving the food environment with innovative assessment.
CommunityFood educationPolicyMANIFESTAÇÃO DA ATIVIDADE AGRÍCOLA NO ESPAÇO URBANO: CASO DO BAIRRO SAGRADA FAMÍLIA EM PIRAPORA-MG
2015Silene Maciel dos Santos, Samuel Ferreira da Fonseca, Luiz Andrei Gonçalves Pereira · Dialnet (Universidad de la Rioja) · Brazil (Pirapora-MG)
This study analyzed the spatial distribution of urban agricultural activities in the Sagrada Família neighborhood, Pirapora-MG, Brazil, through a literature review. It examined urban agriculture practices, their socio-economic role, and the problems and challenges faced by urban agriculture actors in the neighborhood. The study concluded that the identified issues suggest urban agriculture as an emancipatory process.
Economic viabilityEconomicsUrban–rural linkageCommunityGardens of Sabotage
2015Gabriel R. Valle · Aztlán A Journal of Chicano Studies · United States
This essay explores the self-valorization of work in community gardens to advance a grounded theory of time and value, which has been lacking in Chicana/o studies. Urban community gardens are pivotal to the environmental justice movement, with Chicana/os playing a central role. The essay proposes a revolutionary logic of labor through reframing time and value, aiming to reconnect community gardeners to the means of their own production and reproduction. By creating "gardens of sabotage," communities challenge capitalism by reclaiming the value of work and confronting orthodox notions of economy, work, citizenship, community, and time.
Economic viabilityCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsPolicyRelação de confiança em uma rede de cooperação para agricultura urbana
2015Fabio Fernando Kobs, Marcello Sgarbi, Eloy Fassi Casagrande, Maclóvia Corrêa da Silva, Dario Eduardo Amaral Dergint · Revista Meio Ambiente e Sustentabilidade · Brazil (Curitiba)
This paper aimed to identify mutual trust within an urban farming cooperation network, using a case study of a residence of about 350 square meters for urban farming in the urban area of Curitiba, Parana State, Brazil. Exploratory survey, case study, bibliographical research, and random observation methods were used. Data collection allowed for the construction of a cooperation network, establishing the trust relationship, and confirming the initial hypothesis that the type of trust is process-based.
CommunityUsing a Choice Experiment to Assess the Multiple Values of Land in Agricultural Uses in a Peri-urban Area: An Application to Edmonton, Canada
2015Haoluan Wang, Brent Swallow · 2015 AAEA & WAEA Joint Annual Meeting, July 26-28, San Francisco, California · Canada (Edmonton)
This research aims to assess the multiple values of agricultural land in the Alberta Capital Region, Canada, where significant agricultural land conversion has occurred. The study's objectives are to estimate residents' values for conserving land in different agricultural uses, explore links between these values and residents' affinity for ecosystem goods and services, and identify public interest areas for agricultural conservation. The methodology began with focus group discussions.
Peri-urban agricultureEconomicsPolicyUrban–rural linkageChapter^>10: Agroecology, Food Sovereignty, and Urban Agriculture in the United States
2015V. Ernesto Mendez, Christopher M. Bacon, Roseann Cohen, Stephen R. Gliessman · Agroecology · United States
This chapter discusses the rise of movements for just and sustainable food systems in the United States over the last 15 years, encompassing areas like urban agriculture and food sovereignty. It notes that while most practitioners in US alternative agrifood movements do not use the term "agroecology," they share similar principles. The chapter also describes the evolution of agroecology from a farm-scale focus to a systems-based, transdisciplinary approach for sustainable food systems.
Food sovereignty & justicePolicyCommunityUrban–rural linkageThe Impact of a Community Garden on a Local Township
2015Mariah E Reitz · Digital Commons - Otterbein (Otterbein University) · United States
This research aimed to determine if a community garden would benefit a suburban township, Blendon Township, in addressing food insecurity and food deserts. A survey evaluated fruit and vegetable consumption, healthy food affordability, and education, as well as the garden's effect on participants' families. Through a literature review and survey assessment, the results indicated that Blendon Township needed a community garden due to its proximity to Columbus and suburban setting.
CommunityHealthWelfareSocioeconomic Disparities in the Provision of Outdoor Time in Portland, Oregon Public Elementary Schools
2015Sabine Lefkowitz · · United States (Portland)
This thesis examined the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and outdoor time in Portland, Oregon public elementary schools. The study found that higher SES elementary schools spend more time outdoors than low SES schools. This disparity amplifies existing disadvantages for children in high-poverty schools, suggesting an inequity in outdoor time provision.
Equity & displacementFood educationCommunityHealthEconomicsHealthy Kids, Healthy Cuba
2015Patricia Keane, Alejandro Ortega Hortelano, Jeanette Linville · Journal of Public Health Management and Practice · United States
As an evaluation of the "Healthy Kids, Healthy Cuba (HKHCuba)" program in a triethnic rural community in New Mexico, 12 partners participated in a group model building (GMB) session to introduce systems thinking. The session identified 27 influences as feedback loops from behavior over time graphs and 5 subsystems from a causal loop diagram. Results showed that in addition to strategy-related influences like access to healthy food and community garden participation, a sense of cultural pride, community, and social engagement, especially among youth, were highly salient.
CommunityHealthFood educationPhosphorus Cycling in Montreal’s Food and Urban Agriculture Systems
2015Geneviève S. Metson, Elena M. Bennett · PLoS ONE · Canada (Montreal)
This study quantified the role of urban agriculture (UA) in phosphorus (P) cycling in Montreal, Canada, using existing data and surveys of local UA practitioners. In 2012, Montreal imported 3.5 Gg of P in food, with 2.63 Gg accumulating in landfills, 0.36 Gg discharged to local waters, and only 0.09 Gg recycled through composting. UA was found to be only a small sub-system in the city's overall P cycle, contributing just 0.44% of the P consumed as food. Although recycling rates within the UA system are high, the land area dedicated to UA is too small to accommodate all P waste produced on the island.
Limited or null effectOrganic cycleEconomicsCommunityHeartside’s Glean Ride: Bringing Fresh Food and Ideas to the Heart of Grand Rapids
2015Selina Dorking, Paige Eisen, Joseph J. Godfrey, Regina López, Steven A. Smith · ScholarWorks - GVSU (Grand Valley State University) · United States
In the Heartside neighborhood of Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States, the non-profit Heartside Gleaning Initiative (HGI) has been addressing food insecurity since 2014. During the winter semester of 2015, the "Food Fighters," a team of Grand Valley State University students, collaborated with HGI to tackle the challenges of food waste, food insecurity, and community sustainability. Their efforts resulted in the Heartside Glean Ride mobile food cart plan and a brochure for Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) boxes, designed to increase food distribution.
Food lossWelfareCommunityFood educationHealthExploring Urban Agriculture: A Study of Sustainable Urban Agriculture Along with the Beltline in Atlanta, Georgia
2015Pai Liu · TigerPrints (Clemson University) · United States (Atlanta)
This study explored how urban agriculture can be effective in cities by comparing and evaluating eight U.S. case studies against six criteria: locality, experience, economy, health, community engagement, and resources. The research aimed to develop a new model for sustainable urban agriculture to improve urban living environments. Results indicated how these six criteria interact to form an integrated framework for a "perma-urban farm," with a design application along Atlanta's Beltline as an example.
HealthEconomicsClimate changeNitrogen Dynamics Associated with Organic and Inorganic Inputs to Substrate Commonly Used on Rooftop Farms
2015Angela Y. Y. Kong, Cynthia Rosenzweig, Joshua Arky · HortScience · United States
This study evaluated the effects of organic and inorganic nitrogen (N) inputs on N dynamics within substrate typically used on rooftop farms during an 8-week greenhouse experiment in the United States. Substrate without added N inputs (control) was compared with synthetic fertilizer and three organic N inputs: composted poultry manure, municipal green waste compost, and vermicompost. Few differences in N cycling and yields were found among treatments receiving organic N inputs, despite differences in carbon-to-nitrogen ratios. Crop yields from the synthetic fertilizer and municipal green waste compost treatments were higher than other organic N input treatments. Inorganic N levels in the synthetic fertilizer treatment decreased from 129 mg N/L to 113 mg N/L, while control and organic N input treatments showed nearly 10-fold decreases from 79.5–117.8 mg N/L to 12.8–16.6 mg N/L over 8 weeks. The greatest losses of ammonium and nitrate via leachate were measured from the synthetic fertilizer treatment.
Organic cycleCompostClimate changeUrban Farm & Garden Alliance Nelson Report UPDATE
2015Rachel Grewell · · United States
The Urban Farm and Garden Alliance (UFGA) conducted a measurement project from summer to fall 2015, involving UFGA gardens and backyard gardeners weighing and measuring produce. The project also included a community survey on the social impacts of gardening. Based on these results, community-friendly guides were designed to help collect and disseminate data on both social and vegetative yields in urban gardens.
CommunityEconomicsVegetable Output and Cost Savings of Community Gardens in San Jose, California
2014Algert S. J., Baameur A., Renvall M. J. · Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 114(7):1072-1076 · United States
Survey of 83 San Jose community gardeners measuring yields. Plots produced 0.75 lb vegetables per square foot and saved about $435 per season, demonstrating gardens' contribution to urban food affordability.
EconomicsWelfareCan community gardens and farmers' markets relieve food desert problems? A study of Edmonton, Canada
2014Wang H., Qiu F., Swallow B. · Applied Geography 55:127-137 · Canada
Analyzes whether community gardens and farmers' markets improve fresh food access in Edmonton. They relieve food desert problems somewhat, especially in mature inner-suburban neighborhoods, but several areas remain food deserts citywide.
WelfareEconomicsPolicyAgriculture in urban and peri-urban areas in the United States: Highlights from the Census of Agriculture
2014Stephanie Rogus, Carolyn Dimitri · Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems · United States
Using US Census of Agriculture data, this study examines whether urban and peri-urban farming has grown as an actual practice rather than just a concept. It finds urban farms are smaller than typical farms, and although urban/peri-urban farmland declined between 2002 and 2007 the total number of farms increased, with farmland growth positively related to land values. Spatial analysis of the Northeast detected significant vegetable-farm clusters around Providence, Boston, and Hartford.
EconomicsPolicyUrban Agriculture in the United States: Characteristics, Challenges, and Technical Assistance Needs
2014Lydia Oberholtzer, Carolyn Dimitri, Andrew Pressman · Journal of Extension · United States
Based on a national survey of and interviews with US urban farmers, this article explores their challenges and technical-assistance needs. It characterizes the sector as one of young, recently established farms and farmers, with profitability, financing, and production costs rated the highest challenges, and reports moderate-to-high technical assistance needs in areas that Extension staff can address.
EconomicsUtilizing Michigan Brownfield Policies to Incentivize Community-Based Urban Agriculture in Detroit
2014Nicholas Leonard · Michigan Journal of Environmental & Administrative Law · United States (Detroit)
This article argues that Detroit could use the Michigan Brownfield Redevelopment Financing Act to incentivize community-based urban agriculture on abandoned properties. It contends that many cities where urban farming has flourished are riddled with brownfields, and that leveraging brownfield policy could promote urban agriculture as a cost-effective revitalization tool while protecting farmers and food from toxic contamination, giving Detroit a viable strategy to reverse blight.
PolicyCommunityEconomicsChallenging Inclusivity Urban Agriculture and Community Involvement in San Diego
2014Bruno Monardo, Anna Laura Palazzo · Advanced Engineering Forum · United States (San Diego)
This article discusses how urban agriculture is being used across US cities—shaped by 'food deserts' that limit access to fresh, local, healthy food—to give new perspectives to blighted post-crisis neighborhoods and address social distress linked to migration. Focusing on the New Roots Community Farm in the City Heights neighborhood of San Diego, it highlights the farm's potential to combine social inclusion with physical and economic redevelopment.
CommunityPolicyEconomicsWhere have all the houses (among other things) gone? Some critical reflections on urban agriculture
2014Laura B. DeLind · Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems · United States (Lansing)
Using Urbandale Farm in Lansing, Michigan as a case, this paper critically reflects on how urban agriculture can inadvertently rationalize the displacement and continued inequity of urban neighbors rather than reinforce place-making and neighborhood empowerment. It questions the movement's underlying assumptions and beneficiaries and suggests how UA might be reconfigured to shed its neoliberal tendencies.
PolicyCommunityEconomics