Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
1914 results(66 / 77)
Rooted in Place: Growing and Learning from Cultural Tradition in an Urban Food Desert
2013Kevin J. Holohan · Language arts journal of Michigan · United States
This paper is based on an empirical study conducted at a charter high school in a Midwestern US metropolitan area. The study investigated how social ecology, with urban agriculture as a hands-on practice, fosters an ideal of citizenship through a program where students collect traditional Puerto Rican recipes from elders and grow the necessary produce within their community.
Food educationCommunityHeirloom & landraceFood sovereignty & justiceCultivation of innovative horticultural talents for urban agriculture with the science and technology project
2013Zhu Shi-non · Chinese Horticulture Abstracts · China
This study discusses an innovative horticultural teaching method for cultivating talents in urban agriculture, using teachers' science and technology projects, students' science and technology innovation projects, and graduation projects as carriers. The first step of this practice was carried out and yielded good results.
Food educationScholar garden: Educational strategy for life
2013Benito Rodríguez Haros, Enriqueta Tello García, Salvador Aguilar Californias · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · Mexico
This paper describes "Un pasito en grande," an agroenvironmental vegetable garden established five years ago at Colegio Ateneo nursery school in Tezoyuca, Mexico, where agrochemicals are forbidden. The garden, involving children and parents, aims to address the erosion of knowledge related to food production and safety. It has become a space for ecological and environmental awareness, spreading to other educational settings and operating on principles of ethics and permaculture.
Food educationCommunityOrganic cyclePromoting Environmental Stewardship through gardens: A case study of children’s views of an urban school garden
2013Рена Упитис, Scott Hughes, Anna C. Peterson · Journal of the Canadian Association for Curriculum Studies · Canada
An 8-month qualitative study was conducted at a school garden program in one public elementary school in southeastern Ontario, Canada. Data collected from eight students through observations, semi-structured interviews, and student photographs identified five themes enhancing environmental stewardship (including connecting with nature, caretaking, and harvesting) and three themes explaining the program's long-term success (including parental involvement and community connections). The study highlighted benefits of the school garden program, as well as some difficulties associated with the program and limitations of the study.
Governance failureFood educationCommunityBiodiversityShould It Really Matter
2013Marshall A. Baker · The Agricultural education magazine · United States (New Mexico)
This article describes two agricultural education programs in New Mexico, USA: one established in 1935 in a rural community connected to the dairy industry and the Ogallala Aquifer, and another established in 2009 in an urban area focused on sustainability and environmental issues. Both programs are successful in advancing agricultural education by connecting to local community issues. The article suggests that a program's connection to its local community and its concerns is more important than the size of the city.
Food educationCommunityClimate changeHarmony of Interests
2013Max Pearlstein · · Cameroon
Rachel Gilbert, Grace Lange, and Sarah Wright, alumni of Dickinson, founded Cameroonian Roots. This program disseminates microfinance opportunities and education in urban agriculture and women's empowerment.
Urban–rural linkageWelfareFood educationSalt intake in children 10–12 years old and its modification by active working practices in a school garden
2013Jorge Cotter, Maria J. Cotter, Pedro Oliveira, Pedro Cunha, Jorge Polónia · Journal of Hypertension · Portugal
A 6-month study in northern Portugal evaluated the impact of three interventions on salt intake and blood pressure in 155 children aged 10-12. Interventions included a control, theoretical lessons on high salt intake, and theoretical lessons combined with practical school garden activities (planting, collecting herbs for salt substitution). Only the practical group showed a significant reduction in salt intake (1.1 g/day), with 50.9% of children reducing intake by at least 1g/day, suggesting that combined theoretical and practical education is more effective.
Food educationHealthCommunityEffect of Experience-based School Learning Gardens Professional Development Program Workshop on Teachers' Attitudes towards Sustainability Education
2013Jan Ray, Koh Ming Wei, Diane M. Barrett · · United States (Hawaiʻi Island)
This study examined the effect of a week-long teacher training workshop, part of a year-long School Learning Gardens Professional Development Program, on 29 classroom and school learning garden teachers in Hawaiʻi. Teachers' attitudes toward sustainability education were measured before and after the workshop. Findings showed a statistically significant increase in teachers' overall attitudes toward sustainability education, including aspects related to productivity and comfort.
Food educationClimate changeCommunityLa escritura en un proyeto de agroecología escolar : la recuperación del huerto urbano
2013Xavier Fontich Vicens, Mariona Espinet Blanch, Germán Llerena del Castillo · · Global
This record concerns writing in a school agroecology project and the recovery of an urban garden. It is based on the publication's abstract, as part of a monograph titled "Teaching and Learning Scientific Discourse."
Food educationCommunityDIYThe role of urban agriculture in the development of middle-sized towns: Cases from East Africa
2013Dick Foeken · Journal of Geography and Regional Planning · East Africa
This paper, discussing the role of urban agriculture in the development of middle-sized towns using three East African cases (Nakuru, Morogoro, Mbeya), argues that urban agriculture can be transformed into a thriving sector contributing to employment, income, and food provision. It describes the current situation, focusing on resource allocation, benefits, and environmental challenges, and concludes that a favorable legal and policy setting, support and education, and improved market conditions, led by both government and the private sector, are necessary to achieve this.
EconomicsPolicyFood educationCommunityRoots, Tendrils, Sprouts and Shoots: A Case Study of Parkallen’s Community Garden, a permaculture project
2013Marlene Wurfel · Earth Common Journal · Canada (Edmonton)
This article presents a case study of the Parkallen Community Garden in Edmonton, Canada, which began its first growing season in Spring 2012. The garden transformed an unused strip of lawn into a communal "edible food forest" and won the City of Edmonton's top community gardening award in its first year. The study details how the permaculture design was implemented and interpreted within the gardening community.
CommunityDIYFood educationOrganic cycleKnowledge assessment on the effects of climate change due to keeping livestock in urban and peri-urban areas of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
2013Shogo Mlozi · International NGO Journal · Tanzania
This paper assesses the knowledge of livestock keepers in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, regarding the climate change effects of their activities. Over two-thirds of respondents did not believe solid waste, liquid waste, and pollution from livestock would affect future climate risks. However, they did perceive chemical pollution and land degradation from urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) livestock keeping as having climate change effects.
Environmental trade-offsClimate changePeri-urban agricultureFood educationOrganic cycleGardening for Grades Workshops in Duval County
2013Terry B DelValle, Lisa B Gaskalla, Joan B Kyle · · United States (Duval County)
Duval County Extension, in collaboration with partners, offered "Gardening for Grades" workshops to 71 teachers and school volunteers in Duval County, USA, to support school garden initiatives. Participants engaged in activities linking science, math, and literature to gardening, and received materials to start school gardens. Follow-up surveys indicated 12,214 sq ft of garden area was added, benefiting 2,292 students, with 92.9% of students exposed to new foods and 64.3% showing improved eating habits and increased physical activity.
Food educationCommunityHealthSchool Gardens and pupils in Croatia's economy in the second half of the 19th century, with special emphasis on the school in Sibinj
2013Krešimir Škuljević · · Croatia
This study addresses the topic of student economy and school gardens in Croatia between 1848 and 1880. With a special focus on the school in Sibinj, the effects of legal changes and problems in their implementation were examined. It is noted that existing literature rarely elaborates on related concepts such as teachers' obligations and rights, characteristics of school gardens, the role of local political administration, and the purpose of gardens.
Food educationEconomicsPolicyGrowing Community: The Impact of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program on the Social and Learning Environment in Primary Schools
2012Block K., Gibbs L., Staiger P., Gold L., Johnson B., Macfarlane S., Long C., Townsend M. · Health Education & Behavior, 39(4):419-432 · Australia
A mixed-methods evaluation of Australia's Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program. It reported social and learning benefits including increased student engagement, confidence and willingness to try new foods, plus experiential, integrated learning and stronger school-community connections.
Food educationCommunityHealthUrban food production schemes in Ireland 1917–1923
2012Forrest M. · Studies in the History of Gardens & Designed Landscapes · Ireland
This historical study documents the government-sponsored urban food production schemes introduced in Ireland between 1917 and 1923 in response to World War I food shortages, tracing how allotment promotion policies were administered by the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction and the Local Government Board.
CommunityPolicyFood educationTheorising community gardens as pedagogical sites in the food movement
2012Pierre Walter · Environmental Education Research · United States
This paper argues that community gardens in the North American food movement serve as rich non-school sites for informal adult learning, despite being under-researched in environmental education. It proposes applying theories of public pedagogy and social movement learning from Adult Education to frame the study of learning within these gardens. The paper reviews empirical research on the benefits of community garden participation to illustrate the potential for further research on the link between learning and these benefits.
CommunityFood educationCommunity Supported Agriculture: A Commitment to a Healthier Diet
2012Joseph N. Cohen, S. Gearhart, Elizabeth Garland · Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition · United States (New York City)
A prospective cohort study in New York City investigated whether Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) participation increased fruit and vegetable consumption and home-cooked meals. Among 583 individuals who completed both surveys, CSA members showed a statistically significant increase of 2.2 servings of fruit and vegetables per week and 4.9 home-cooked meals per month compared to non-members. CSA participation was also associated with subjective reports of increased fruit and vegetable consumption.
CSA & TeikeiHealthFood educationSchool gardens: teaching and learning outside the front door
2012Rowena Passy · Education 3-13 · Global
This article reports on two projects investigating school gardens, finding that while they can effectively engage primary children in learning, a divide exists among teachers regarding garden use. The article argues that mixed messages in policy concerning outdoor learning act as a barrier to teachers utilizing school gardens.
Governance failureFood educationPolicyReconceptualising gardening to promote inclusive education for sustainable development
2012Susan B. Johnson · International Journal of Inclusive Education · United Kingdom
This paper argues that a reconceptualized approach to school gardening in the UK could promote inclusive education for sustainable development. It examines the potential for children aged 5-14 to develop ecological knowledge, action competence, and environmental engagement skills through gardening. The paper suggests a curriculum framework and provides a bean crop exemplar, but it does not present empirical findings or results from an implemented program.
Food educationCommunityClimate changeBiodiversityCapacity building in the field of climate change adaptation - first experiences from a rural research and development project in Germany.
2012Eva Foos, Thomas Aenis, Julia Jahnke · GERICS Climate Service Center Germany (University of Oldenburg) · Germany
This paper discusses initial experiences from a German R&D network (INKA BB) developing capacity building programs for climate change adaptation in agriculture and horticulture. It uses two urban agriculture/gardening examples as case studies to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of development processes. The authors advocate for "learning chains" that enable lifelong learning and an action-oriented, participatory approach to foster mutual learning among partners from research and education.
Climate changeFood educationPolicyDeveloping a Space for Children: An Internship with the Mullumbimby Community Garden
2012Eden K Olsen · School for International Training Digital Collections (School for International Training) · Australia
This paper details an internship at the Mullumbimby Community Garden (MCG) in Byron Shire, Australia, focusing on the development of its Children's Garden. The intern spent 152.5 hours over four weeks in late 2012 on tasks including planting, project planning, and designing new structures. The study also examines the broader importance of community gardens and children's spaces, drawing conclusions on environmental education and communication practices based on participant observations and three interviews.
CommunityFood educationDIYFood sovereignty & justiceThe desire to learn as a kind of love: gardening, cooking, and passion in outdoor education
2012Karen Wistoft · Journal of Adventure Education & Outdoor Learning · Denmark
This article presents an evaluation of 'Gardens for Bellies' (Haver til Maver), an organic school garden project at Krogerup farm in Northern Sealand, Denmark. Based on qualitative and quantitative studies, the evaluation found very positive learning benefits, including the development of a desire to learn among participating pupils. The program, which provides first-hand experiences in nature, farming, and food preparation, is seen as a unique supplement to the Danish national curriculum.
Food educationCommunityDeveloping Justice-Oriented Teachers: Reciprocal Mentoring in Marginalized Communities
2012Joan Armon, Elizabeth Grassi · ePublications at Regis University (Regis University) · United States
This study describes two initiatives aimed at developing justice-oriented pre-service teachers. "Study Abroad in the Neighborhood" involves pre-service teachers visiting local families to learn Spanish language and culture. "Environmental Regeneration through Permaculture Food Gardens" focuses on pre-service teachers and children constructing school gardens linked to curriculum, food cultures, and health. These community contexts aim to enhance pre-service teachers' cultural and environmental awareness of local injustices.
Food educationCommunityHealthThe Exploration and Construction of Urban Modern Agricultural Information Technology Specialty
2012Lan Bin · Computer Knowledge and Technology · Global
This paper adhered to the principle that information technology serves agriculture, refining the capacities that computer majors in urban agricultural information technology should possess. Consequently, a curriculum system and an urban agriculture information technology training base, focused on capacity cultivation, were constructed. This achieved the task of cultivating compound and applied talents in agricultural information, satisfying the needs of urban agriculture construction.
Food educationDigital agriculture