Research & reports

Tushar S. Kelkar, Satish A. Bhalerao · · India

A pot experiment in India investigated the effect of Glomus mosseae on Trigonella foenum-graceum grown in arsenic-contaminated soil. Plants in arsenic-contaminated soil without mycorrhizal inoculum showed very poor growth performance across all aspects. However, when mycorrhizal inoculum was added to contaminated soil, plant performance improved, with the best results observed in non-contaminated soil with mycorrhizal inoculum.

Wakuru Magigi · Journal of Environmental Protection · Tanzania (Dar es Salaam)

This paper explores Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, demonstrating that urban agriculture provides urban ecosystem services and contributes to environmental sustainability. The study highlights the interconnections of environmental justice, urban ecosystem services, and climate change, which influence land governance and productivity. It suggests that with increasing population, a clear spatial land use planning and management strategy is required to enhance food systems and urban environmental sustainability in rapidly urbanizing cities.

“Biopolis” Biopolicy for Greener and More Livable Cities · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · Global

This article proposes a "biopolis" model, supported by biopolicy principles, for sustainable urban management. It suggests that this model can lead to coordinated actions that limit emissions, expand green spaces, protect waterways, and encourage urban farming. The biopolis model aims to enhance cultural development, create green jobs, and promote educational opportunities, contributing to healthier and more livable cities.

Alyssa M Boyle · Scholarship @ Claremont (The Claremont Colleges) · Global

This thesis discusses the importance of school gardens, highlighting the industrialized food system and "Nature Deficit Disorder" in children as two environmental and societal problems. School gardens are presented as an effective tool to address these issues. A how-to manual for implementing such projects in schools and sample lesson plans for use with the garden across the curriculum are also provided.

Robert Garey Stewart, Marcel Korth, Laurenz Langer, Shannon Rafferty, N Rebelo Da Silva · · Global

This paper is a protocol for a systematic review on the impacts of urban agriculture programs on food security and nutrition in low and middle-income countries. It notes potential disadvantages of urban agriculture, including contamination, spread of diseases, depletion of water supplies, soil erosion, and health risks from pesticides. The review aims to identify, appraise, and synthesize evidence on these impacts comprehensively and transparently, given that the existing evidence-base is not well understood.

김재연, 김윤수, 이연숙 · · Korea

This study identified 39 evaluation items to measure the effects of community gardens in Korea, categorizing them into five broad areas: eco-environmental, production and economic, physical, psychological, and social effects, further subdivided into 12 types. The research involved literature reviews of domestic and international documents and case studies of domestic sites.

Peter Yaw Mensah, Richard Amankwah Kuffour, Philip Kweku Baidoo, E. Awuah · Water Science & Technology · Global

A bench-scale study evaluated the effect of dewatering faecal sludge (FS) mixed with different percentages of sawdust on its microbial quality. The dewatered FS-sawdust mixture showed a significant reduction in bacterial content and helminth eggs, rendering the biosolids safe for agricultural use. Pathogen removal was highest with 150% sawdust and lowest in the 0% sawdust control.

Naomi Hill · Illinois Digital Environment for Access to Learning and Scholarship (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) · United States (Chicago)

This study investigated the effects of community gardens in impoverished inner-city African-American neighborhoods in Chicago. The research focused on five themes: how community gardens are created, their mission, motivations for involvement, contributions to individuals and the overall community, and envisioned futures. Results indicated that community gardens are established through collective efforts by community members and maintained through active participation and ongoing recruitment.

Kynda R. Curtis, Ruby Ward, K. Eileen Allen, Susan L. Slocum, Curtis, Kynda, Ward, Ruby, Allen, Karin, Slocum, Susan · AgEcon Search (University of Minnesota, USA) · Global

This study aims to explore the effects of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program membership on consumer dietary choice and nutritional intake. It also investigates potential modifications in food purchase, preparation, and dining out practices among participants. The research addresses a gap in understanding how CSA participation might lead to attitude and behavioral changes, which could inform public policy for dietary improvements.

· Lincoln (University of Nebraska) · United States

This document, "NEBLINE, May 2013," from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, covers various extension topics. It features sections on urban agriculture, food and fitness, home and family living, horticulture, environmental focus, 4-H & youth, community focus, and nutrition education programs. It also includes an extension calendar and news from Family and Community Education (FCE) Clubs.

Adam Prince · · United States (California)

This chapter considers movements to transform the food system in the United States. In Oakland, California, a growing community of urban food producers and advocates is working to address food insecurity in historically underserved communities. Diverse enclaves in Oakland exhibit various forms of community-based food production, ranging from windowsill herb patches to rooftop projects and distributed farming networks utilizing vacant lots.

AN Asadu, EM Igbokwe, JM Chah, IA Enwelu · Journal of Agricultural Extension · Nigeria (Enugu)

This study investigated farmers' perceptions of health and environmental hazards from urban livestock keeping in Enugu Urban, Nigeria, interviewing 75 heads of households. While all respondents were aware of general health and environmental implications, only 4.0% knew livestock could cause climate change. Identified environmental issues included crop destruction (89.3%), urban filth (89.3%), and noise (88.0%), while health issues included disease spread (50.7%), accidents (46.7%), and bad smell (86.7%).

Dina C. Castro, Margaret Samuels, Ann E. Harman · American Journal of Preventive Medicine · United States

A pilot study evaluated the "Growing Healthy Kids Program" (GHK) in a Southern US state from 2008-2010 to prevent childhood obesity among low-income families. Among 95 children aged 2-15, 17% of obese or overweight participants improved their BMI classification, and 100% of normal BMI children maintained their classification. Parental reports indicated a 146% increase in fruit and vegetable availability and increased consumption of fruits (28%) and vegetables (33%) among participating children.

Joanne Pascoe, Claire Wyatt‐Smith · · Australia (Brisbane)

An investigation at two Brisbane State primary schools in Australia explored the potential of school gardens as a cross-disciplinary learning environment for curriculum literacies. The study found that students' enthusiasm made the garden an effective literacy learning space, with those having learning difficulties and behavioral issues benefiting most. Stakeholder comments indicated overall improvements in writing skills and learning attitudes through integrated garden lessons.

Douglas Carl Reeser · Development in Practice · Belize

An analysis of an NGO school garden program in two Q'eqchi' Maya communities in southern Belize revealed challenges faced by NGOs. These challenges included issues of legitimacy, cultural appropriateness, self-interest, and constructed conceptions of their target communities, raising questions about the priority between autonomous, healthy communities and the preservation of the NGO program.

Andrew Carberry, Marsha Spence · Journal of Youth Development · Global

This paper presents a formative evaluation of an afterschool program, "Youth Can! Grow Healthy," which combined positive youth development and school garden curricula for elementary school children. The program used novel approaches to teach gardening and nutrition, and engaged children in advocacy for healthy community environments, including sessions on team building, healthy eating, and physical activity. Evaluation themes included successful youth engagement methods, social environment issues, and implications for program management, with results discussed to provide recommendations for future programs.

Susana Olivares Reumont, Damarys García Céspedes, Lázaro Lima Cazorla, Israel Saborit Sánchez, Axel Llizo Casals, Pedro Pérez Álvarez · Revista Internacional de Contaminación Ambiental · Cuba (Havana)

This study investigated levels of Cu, Pb, Cd, and Zn in soils and vegetables from 17 urban agriculture farms around the "Calle 100" landfill in Havana, Cuba, during 2006-2007. Findings showed that 35% of soils exceeded typical Cuban agricultural ranges for Zn, and 52% for Pb. Critically, 23% of soils surpassed phytotoxic and international limit levels for Pb, and 12.5% of vegetable samples exceeded Cuban maximum permissible limits for Pb in food for human consumption. The results indicate a need for strict monitoring of horticultural crops in the area due to contamination.

James R. Hollyer · PubMed Central · United States

This article discusses the potential risk of rat lungworm (Angiostrongylus cantonensis) in Hawai‘i's local food supply, which can cause eosinophilic meningitis if ingested by humans. While the statistical risk is extremely low compared to other foodborne agents, two individuals in Hawai‘i developed serious eosinophilic meningitis in late 2008 after consuming insufficiently washed local produce. The article highlights the challenge of informing the public about this rare but potentially serious disease, especially amidst efforts to promote local produce and school gardens.

Angela Shaw, Catherine Strohbehn, Linda Naeve · Iowa State University Digital Repository (Iowa State University) · United States

This project addressed the need for food safety training for staff at publicly accessed fruit and vegetable growing venues, such as university farms and school gardens. It developed various media options to educate workers on proper handling of fruits and vegetables to ensure food safety.

Shazia Iram, Ayesha Zaman, Zaiba Iqbal, Rabia Shabbir · Polish Journal of Environmental Studies · Global

This study screened soil samples from peri-urban agricultural areas to investigate heavy metal contamination and identify heavy metal-tolerant fungi. Results showed that the majority of isolated fungi were resistant to lead (Pb) and chromium (Cr). Among the strains, Aspergillus niger was the most tolerant to Pb with an MIC of 600 mg/l, and Aspergillus flavus was the most tolerant to Cr with an MIC of 400 mg/l.

Miguel Lorente · Dialnet (Universidad de la Rioja) · Global

This paper describes the recent social movement promoting urban gardens as sources of leisure, social interaction, and healthy self-consumption food. Factors such as environmental awareness, increased unemployment, physical exercise for retirees, the pleasure of producing one's own food, and trends are contributing to the creation of small vegetable gardens in and around cities. This small-scale activity allows urban populations to discover and understand the role of agriculture.

Marcelo Ortega Romero, Juan Mingot Marcilla, María Jesús García Martínez, Eduardo de Miguel, Miguel Izquierdo‐Díaz, Amaya Gómez · · Spain (Madrid)

This study evaluated the potential health risk from trace elements in urban garden soils in Madrid, Spain. Thirty-six composite soil samples were collected from the top 20 cm of six urban gardens, and concentrations of cobalt, chromium, copper, nickel, lead, and zinc were determined. The findings indicated that urban soils are significantly enriched in trace elements relative to background levels, suggesting a potential health risk.

Jacqueline Ann Luke · OhioLink ETD Center (Ohio Library and Information Network) · United States (Cleveland)

This study surveyed three urban community gardens in Cleveland, Ohio, to assess if garden participation increased feelings of community, ties to place, and safety. Survey results indicate that urban community gardens, similar to other urban greenspaces, increase feelings of community, create ties to place through neighborhood satisfaction, and enhance feelings of safety. This research suggests that urban gardens are a positive way to repurpose vacant land in residential neighborhoods by offering greenspace and strengthening the community.

Veguita de Graná · · Spain (Granada)

This conference addresses the question of whether urban gardens humanize cities. Students will visit the leisure gardens in Granada (Las Huertas). The conference is organized by the Permanent Seminar on Agroecology of the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Granada.

Heather McIlvaine-Newsad, Rob Porter · Journal of Ecological Anthropology · Global

This conceptual paper focused on the benefits of community gardens, informed by participant observation and literature from the environmental justice movement. Community gardens are stated to be models for improving health through growing and eating local produce, and instruments for generating social awareness and community change.