Introduction

Urban gardening is the practice of growing plants, including fruits, vegetables, and other crops in an urban setting, taking in various forms such as community gardens, rooftop gardens, and indoor growing. This practice is particularly critical in promoting food security, particularly in underprivileged communities without fresh food options nearby, and its role in environmental stewardship and climate resilience. However, not all residents in Barangay Batong Malake have the resources to start an urban garden, despite their interest in doing so, in a community ironically known for an institution regarded as the country’s “Center for Excellence” in agriculture. Hence, there is a need to provide a comprehensive urban gardening education program for less privileged residents of the barangay, in order to equip them with relevant skills and knowledge in urban gardening. The need for more urban gardens is underscored by the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including food shortages or increased costs of food in underserved communities. Additionally, urban gardening benefits urban areas through establishing a sense of belonging and improved air and water quality.

The target locale of the proposed instructional design for an urban gardening education program is Barangay Batong Malake, particularly its indigent residents, one of the largest and most populated barangays of the municipality of Los Baños, Laguna. Los Baños, regarded as the “Science and Nature City” of the Philippines, is home to the University of the Philippines Los Baños, the country’s Center of Excellence in Agriculture and the largest campus of any constituent of the UP System in terms of land area. Provided the proximity of the community to an important constituent of the UP System and the institution’s credentials, there is indeed an obligation to equip underprivileged residents of the community with the necessary skills and resources to pursue urban gardening and apply what they shall learn into promoting food security and environmental stewardship.

Learning Objectives

The following course is designed to help improve the learner’s understanding of urban gardening and their ability to raise crops in an urban environment, as well as to gain basic understanding on certain urban gardening practices, including hydroponics and vertical gardening. After completing this program, the learners are expected to:

Recall basic knowledge and skills in urban gardening.
Explain the importance of urban gardening in maintaining food security and promoting environmental protection.
Identify various methods of and skills in urban gardening, including hydroponics and vertical gardening.
Appraise the aforementioned methods of urban gardening based on their viability on various settings in an urban community.
Create an urban gardening plan with methods appropriate for the community to help enhance food security and protect the environment.

Instructional Problem

Despite their proximity to the University of the Philippines Los Baños, a Center of Excellence in Agriculture, many of the less privileged residents of Brgy. Batong Malake, Los Baños, Laguna may not be able to access education provided by the University for several reasons; moreover, they also face the challenge of food insecurity, which has been exacerbated by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic as a result of rising food and transportation costs. Moreover, some of these residents may have an interest or previous experiences in urban gardening, but do not have a sizeable plot of land to grow on. Lastly, many of these learners prefer to learn at their own pace. With these in mind, an urban gardening education program shall be developed, based on the existing resources of the residents and their familiarity and interest in certain areas of urban gardening.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

The United Nations' (n.d.) second SDG is to alleviate hunger and food insecurity, as well as to promote sustainable agricultural practices and improve access to fresh, nutritious food. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of urban gardening, as access to fresh food has become more critical, particularly for marginalized communities, who may be more likely to consume processed foods, which prioritize convenience and affordability over nutrition and sustainability. Therefore, Seeds of Change encourages these communities to grow their own food in order to enjoy fresh produce on demand while saving money.

SDG 4: Quality Education

Based on the aforementioned objectives, this project aims to address United Nations' fourth SDG, to "ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong opportunities for all" (United Nations, n.d.). Despite Brgy. Batong Malake's proximity to the University of the Philippines Los Baños, the largest campus of the UP System in terms of land area and the country's Center for Excellence in Agriculture, not all residents, particularly its less privileged ones, are able to access quality education offered by the University. Hence, the Seeds of Change initiative aims to equip these residents with the necessary skills and resources to pursue urban gardening and apply what they shall learn into promoting food security and environmental stewardship.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

Urban gardens benefit urban communities, such as towns and cities, by contributing to a cleaner, healthier environment, not only for humans but also other species of animals, aligning with the eleventh SDG, which emphasizes safer and more sustainable human habitats (Appetite for Change, 2022; United Nations, n.d.). Moreover, urban gardening brings residents of a community - and multiple communities - together, in which families, friends, and neighbors share good gardening practices while establishing bonds and a sense of community (Appetite for Change, n.d.).

SDG 15: Life on Land

The fifteenth SDG aims to maintain and restore terrestrial ecosystems to prevent biodiversity loss (United Nations, n.d.). In the case of urban gardening, growing various species of plants in an urban community can help attract more animals, particularly pollinators such as bees and birds (US Department of Agriculture, n.d.). Amid the looming threat of climate change, urban gardens can "provide additional habitat that is lost elsewhere" (US Department of Agriculture, n.d.).

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