Conference Participation

Lightning Round III: The Impact of Government & Public Interventions on Marginalized Communities

Paper: Racial Inequality and Urban Food Forest Community Land Trusts

Abstract: Urban Food Forest Community Land Trusts (FF CLTs) merge cooperative food forests with shared-equity land trusts. The study examines whether FF CLTs reduce racial and ethnic economic inequality in historically Black and Latinx neighborhoods by converting vacant land in one of two matched U.S. neighborhoods into an FF CLT and comparing outcomes with the control. Mixed method data on employment, food expenditure, wealth, youth leadership, and ecosystem benefits, such as food yield, cooling, and carbon sequestration, will be collected. Over five years, the study will assess economic empowerment and climate resilience to see if the model offers a pathway to prosperity. Food forests offer free produce and shade in park poor areas. Community stewardship ensures residents participate in governance, building social cohesion and leadership capacity while advancing the Roy Wilkins Center’s mission.

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