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Research question: How can we implement urban gardens in a way that will reduce food insecurity and support economies within local communities?
Why is this research important?
As the human population continues to grow at an exponential rate, the same can be said for the amount of resources needed to accommodate this vast number of people. In order to keep up with the ever increasing demand, agriculture became industrialized-which has had severe effects on our environment ranging from land degeneration, pollution from chemical fertilizers, significant greenhouse gas emissions, and much more. However, even with the substantial volume of food produced by industrial agriculture, the issue of food insecurity is still extremely prevalent. There is clearly a necessity to explore options that will help both the planet and the people that inhabit it. This is why we should turn to urban agriculture- it is a more sustainable alternative to industrial agriculture, and has been proven to reduce food insecurity and improve local economies.
Reduces Food Insecurity
Reduces Food Insecurity
Urban agriculture has the potential to produce significant amounts of food within very little space- some methods such as hydroponics have produced nearly 14 times the yield of conventional farming (Koscica p. 141)
Those in food deserts often have to rely on public transportation and travel significant distances to get to stores, where their options are typically limited. Urban agriculture provides higher-quality food for little or no cost, with less travel-increasing food security (Pawlowski p. 549)
Supports Local Economies
Supports Local Economies
Potential economic benefits include reduced household food expenses, creation of jobs, and improved property values (Nogeire-Mcrae et al p. 750)
Can provide supplemental income and serve as an effective means of workforce integration, especially for underrepresented groups (Vitiello and Powers p. 514)
During the Covid-19 pandemic, urban agriculture systems proved to be helpful for communities from an economic and environmental standpoint (Haryanti et al p. 4029)
Builds Community Relationships
Builds Community Relationships
Can generate interest in one's community and in individual garden development (Ferreira et al p. 575)
Fosters civic engagement, promotes local food education and awareness, and provides recreational activities (Sarker et al p. 10)
Promote a 'civic agriculture' characterized by shared ownership and supportive relationships (Vitiello p. 514)
Closing the Gap
The concept of using urban agriculture as a means of promoting sustainability, economic stability, and food security is a relatively recent phenomenon. For this reason, there is inconsistencies among literature regarding the definition of urban agriculture. Some researchers only include community gardens in their definition, while others may also include personal gardens, farmers market, CSA (Community-Supported Agriculture) programs, and other similar entities. A universal definition for urban agriculture among literature would be helpful in determining what actually is helpful for people and the planet.
Additionally, one benefit of urban agriculture that has been consistently documented is the community-building component. However, it is important to note that this benefit is much harder to gain access to in practice than conveyed in most literature. Underlying structural inequalities can inhibit the integration of community members into community gardens, such as a lack of time to tend to a community garden and lack of education regarding how to participate (Furness and Gallaher p. 424).
Theoretical Framework
This proposal utilizes the Triple Bottom Line framework. This is a very suitable foundation for the exploration of urban agriculture, as at its core it aims to reach the same balance that this research would hope to obtain. Implementing urban agriculture has the potential to alleviate the severity of social issues (such as food insecurity), environmental issues (such as the vast negative impact of our current food system, specifically industrial agriculture, on the environment), and economic issues (such as a lack of financial resources to access nutritional food). These goals that this research has established mirrors the goals of the Triple Bottom Line, which aims to improve sustainability in the social, environmental, and economic areas in order to improve the lives and stability of the people who live on the planet, and improve the condition of the planet itself.
Methods
The best study design for this research question would be a multiple-methods study, aiming to collect qualitative data. The topic of food insecurity is not black and white, and therefore surrounding studies should not be either. Chauvenet et al (2022) studied the experiences of low income rural participants with community gardens. These researchers stated, “using qualitative methods was ideal to understand the experience of CG [Community Garden] participants, and how participants conceptualize benefits of participation, since little was known about this phenomenon (p. 226).” Other studies that I reviewed seemingly had similar outlooks, and chose their methods accordingly: Cullen et al (2023) produced a study exploring food access during the pandemic among CSA participants. They chose to conduct interviews for their data collection methods, stating that “interview questions explored caregivers’ experiences with food access, and federal and community food assistance programs during the COVID-19 pandemic (p. 377).” I believe this to be a very effective method to collect data on a topic such as this, and therefore in my own study, methods would include interviews with locals who have professional experience in urban agriculture (gardeners/farmers, etc).
Other qualitative methods used by researchers included focus groups. Chauvenet et al (2022) was among them in choosing this method, stating, “Focus groups were used to gather a variety of perspectives on gardener perception of benefits of CG participation, as time with the garden and level of involvement varied among participants. When exploring feelings of community cohesion among gardeners, it was particularly useful to have a group dynamic to allow participants to react to each other’s ideas and the questions posed, as well as to discuss their shared experiences as CGers (p. 226).” Therefore, my study would also include focus group discussions with anyone in the community–ideally a mix between those who do and do not actively participate in the urban agriculture opportunities in their community for the purpose of comparing the two group’s responses. Participants would not be randomly selected in order to achieve the goal of having a wide range of urban agriculture experience and represent a diverse scope of people, and in the case of professionals, to ensure their relevant experience in the field. Cullen et al had a similar goal, stating, “We purposively sampled caregivers for interviews on a rolling basis to achieve representation across demographic characteristics, federal nutrition program participation, food insecurity status, program site, and repeat program use (p. 384).”
Purpose of the interviews with professionals
Gain an understanding on how they believed urban agriculture to influence food security and social capital
Urban agriculture professionals would be interviewed on things such as:
Their perceptions of the environment
Perceived benefits of participating in urban agriculture
How/if they believe that these local urban agriculture opportunities have affected participants’ abilities to make decisions on the food that they consume
Purpose of the focus group discussions
Better understand urban agriculture participants' perceptions of food access and sovereignty
Basic questions surrounding socio demographic status would be inquired upon
Topics of discussion would focus on:
Where participants get their food
How long it takes them to get there
The options they have available to them
Participants would also be asked to discuss their involvement (or lack thereof) in local urban agriculture opportunities and whether they feel these opportunities have benefitted them
References
References
Chauvenet, C., Sheppard, B., Siddique, N., Gallagher, B., Kearney, W., & De Marco, M. (2022). A Qualitative Study of Rural Low-Wealth Participants’ Experiences with Community Gardens. Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition, 17(2), 224–244. https://doi.org/10.1080/19320248.2021.1907641
Cullen, D., Brown, R., Reilly, G. et al. Experiences with Pandemic Food Access Among Clinic-Based Community Supported Agriculture Program Participants. Matern Child Health J 27, 375–384 (2023). https://doi-org.ezproxy.gvsu.edu/10.1007/s10995-022-03580-6
Ferreira, C., Gaudet, J. C., Chum, A., & Robidoux, M. A. (2022). Local food development in the Moose Cree First Nation: taking steps to build local food sustainability. Food, Culture & Society, 25(3), 561–580. https://doi.org/10.1080/15528014.2021.1913557
Furness, W. W., & Gallaher, C. M. (2018). Food access, food security and community gardens in Rockford, IL. Local Environment, 23(4), 414–430. https://doi-org.ezproxy.gvsu.edu/10.1080/13549839.2018.1426561
Haryanti, Iskandar, Rizal, A., Aliah, R. S., & Sachoemar, S. I. (2023). Urban Farming Aquaculture as an Alternative Business for Food and Economic Security During the COVID-19 Pandemic – Case Study in the Sub-Urban Area of Jakarta, Indonesia. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies, 32(5), 4023–4036. https://doi.org/10.15244/pjoes/166362
Koscica, M. (2014). Agropolis: The Role Of Urban Agriculture In Addressing Food Insecurity In Developing Cities. Journal of International Affairs, 67(2), 177–186. http://www.jstor.org/stable/24461745
Nogeire-Mcrae, T., Ryan, E. P., Jablonski, B. B. R., Carolan, M., Arathi, H. S., Brown, C. S., Saki, H. H., Mckeen, S., Lapanksy, E., & Schipanski, M. E. (2018). The Role of Urban Agriculture in a Secure, Healthy, and Sustainable Food System. BioScience, 68(10), 748–759. https://www.jstor.org/stable/90025670
Pawlowski, T. Z. (2018). From Food Deserts to Just Deserts: Expanding Urban Agriculture in U.S. Cities Through Sustainable Policy. Journal of Affordable Housing & Community Development Law, 26(3), 531–574. https://www.jstor.org/stable/26408219
Sarker, A., Bornman, J., & Marinova, D. (2019). A Framework for Integrating Agriculture in Urban Sustainability in Australia. Urban Science, 3(2), 50. MDPI AG. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/urbansci3020050
Vitiello, D., & Wolf-Powers, L. (2014). Growing food to grow cities? The potential of agriculture foreconomic and community development in the urban United States. Community Development Journal, 49(4), 508–523. https://www.jstor.org/stable/26166184
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