Horticulture as Catalyst for Social Interactions
Research has revealed that social connections and interactions are an important element of human health (Lavasseur et al., 2010; Leavell et al., 2019). Social theory explains the need to affiliate.
The focus of this resource page is on social interactions involving horticultural activities, and those promoting social/political change related to food security. These types of social interactions foster sense of community, social cohesion and social affiliation (Tam, 2014; Leavell et al., 2019). Social theory explains the need to affiliate. The type of organizations that fall into this category include food alliances, food literacy non-profits, community gardens, urban farms, schools, 4-H groups, land trusts and neighborhoods.
Additional resources on food action, types of gardens (school, community gardens, urban farms), and different aspects of food security can be found in category Food, Nutrition & Food Action category and category Landscapes for Health.
The focus of this resource page is on social interactions involving horticultural activities, and those promoting social/political change related to food security. These types of social interactions foster sense of community, social cohesion and social affiliation (Tam, 2014; Leavell et al., 2019). Social theory explains the need to affiliate. The type of organizations that fall into this category include food alliances, food literacy non-profits, community gardens, urban farms, schools, 4-H groups, land trusts and neighborhoods.
Additional resources on food action, types of gardens (school, community gardens, urban farms), and different aspects of food security can be found in category Food, Nutrition & Food Action category and category Landscapes for Health.
Photo: A. Earl.unsplash
APOLITICAL GROUPS AS A CATALYST FOR SOCIAL INTERACTIONS
Research has revealed that social connections and interactions are an important element of human health (Lavasseur et al., 2010; Leavell et al., 2019). Social theory helps to explain the role that groups play including those with a horticulture focus.
Apolitical groups like master gardener programs, garden clubs, horticulture groups (Rare Fruit Councils, American Horticulture Society etc.) and green industry trade groups affiliate using horticulture as a common bond. Their social interactions focus on networking, creating sense of community and community service. These have a high degree of volunteerism and promote social interactions. Some of the research in this area includes children participating in school gardens, green spaces and horticulture programs and their social interactions, socialization, and behavior as a different type of horticulture-centric catalyst (Pollin et al., 2021; Putra et al., 2020; Richardson et al., 2017; Rogers et al., 2019; Sachs et al., 2022).
Research has revealed that social connections and interactions are an important element of human health (Lavasseur et al., 2010; Leavell et al., 2019). Social theory helps to explain the role that groups play including those with a horticulture focus.
Apolitical groups like master gardener programs, garden clubs, horticulture groups (Rare Fruit Councils, American Horticulture Society etc.) and green industry trade groups affiliate using horticulture as a common bond. Their social interactions focus on networking, creating sense of community and community service. These have a high degree of volunteerism and promote social interactions. Some of the research in this area includes children participating in school gardens, green spaces and horticulture programs and their social interactions, socialization, and behavior as a different type of horticulture-centric catalyst (Pollin et al., 2021; Putra et al., 2020; Richardson et al., 2017; Rogers et al., 2019; Sachs et al., 2022).
Key organizations
Books, journals & epublications on HORTICULTURE AS A CATALYST FOR SOCIAL INTERACTIONS/APOLITLCAL GROUPS
American Journal of Community Psychology
Nettle, C. (2014). Community Gardening as Social Action. Routledge.
Public Garden magazine (American Public Gardens Association)
Research Digest (Children & Nature Network)
The American Gardener magazine (American Horticultural Society)
Nettle, C. (2014). Community Gardening as Social Action. Routledge.
Public Garden magazine (American Public Gardens Association)
Research Digest (Children & Nature Network)
The American Gardener magazine (American Horticultural Society)
Research & articles on horticulture as a catalyst for social interactions/apolitical groups
Recently published selected research & articles:
Alaimo, K., Reischl, T. M. & Allen, J.O. (2010). Community gardening, neighborhood meetings, and
social capital. Journal of Community Psychology, 38(4), 497–514.
Anderson, A.G., Messer, I. & Langellotto, G.A. (2021). Gardeners’ perceptions of U.S. native plants are
influenced by ecological information and garden group affiliation. HortTechnology, 31(4).
https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH04770-20
Barry, V. & Blythe, C. (2018). Growing pathways to well-being through community gardens and
greenspace. Case studies from Birmingham and the West Midlands, UK. In Coles, Costa & Watson (Eds.) Pathways to Well-Being in Design Examples from the Arts, Humanities and the Built Environment. Routledge, 76-96.
Baybutt, M., Dooris, M. & Farrier, A. (2019). Growing health in UK prison settings. Health Promot Int.,
34(4), 792-802. doi: 10.1093/heapro/day037
Boyer, R. Waliczek, T.M. & Zajicek, J.M. (2002). The master gardener program: Do benefits of the
program go beyond improving the horticultural knowledge of the participants? HortTechnology, 12(3), 432-436.
Buck, D. (2014). Understanding the economics of investments in the social determinants of health.
Institute for Health Equity, UCL and Public Health England.
Burke, E. (2018). Expanding the social performance of food production landscapes: Measuring health
and well-being benefits. Landscape Research, 43(5), 587-599.
Companion, M. (2016). Lessons from ‘The bucket brigade”: The role of urban gardens in Native
American cultural continuance. In J.C. Dawson and A. Morales (Eds), Cities of Farmers: Urban
Agricultural Practices and Processes. University of Iowa Press, 126-140.
DelSesto, M. (2019). People-plant interactions and the ecological self. Plants People Planet, 2(3), 201-
211. https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.10087
Dept. of Health, State Government of Victoria Australia. (2021). Gardens for all – a health activity.
Dicke, L.A. & Saitgalina, M. (2014). How can professional membership associations provide
meaningful value for their members? Creating models of affiliation and engagement. Paper presented at: American Society of Association Executives Foundation Membership Engagement Models of the Future Award. American Society of Association Executives Foundations.
Dorn, S.T., Newberry, M.G., Bauske, E.M. & Pennisi, S.V. (2018). Extension Master Gardener
volunteers of the 21st century: Educated, prosperous, and committed.
HortTechnology, 28, 218-229.
Egerer, M., Philpott, S., Bichier, P., Jha, S., Liere, H. & Lin, B. (2018). Gardener well-being along social
and biophysical landscape gradients. Sustainability, 10(1), 96.
Egerer, M., Fouch, N., Anderson, E.C. & Clarke, M. (2020). Socio-ecological connectivity differs in
magnitude and direction across urban landscapes. Science Reports, 10(1), 4252. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-61230-9
Firth, C., Maye, D. & Pearson, D. (2011). Developing “community” in community gardens. Local
Environ., 16(6), 555-568. 10.1080/13549839.2011.586025
Fleming, L. (2023). Gardening’s social side. Cultivate, 2(4).
Fleming, L. (2023). Community farms promote sense of community. Digging In, 9(1), 7-8.
Gall, E.A., Lerner, B.R. & Orvis, K.S. (2020). Self-efficacy is a valuable predictor of Extension master
gardeners’ likelihood to continue volunteering in the program. HortTechnology, 30(4).
https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH04505-20
Hall, C.R. & Knuth, M.J. (2019). An update of the literature supporting the well-being benefits of plants: Part 3 – social benefits. Journal of Environmental Horticulture, 37(4), 136-142.
Han, S.H., Kim, K. & Burr, J. A. (2018). Stress-buffering effects of volunteering on salivary cortisol:
Results from a daily diary study. Social Science & Medicine, 201, 120–126.
Hanson, B.M. (2012). Growing health: Community gardens and their effect on diet, physical and
mental health and community. Electronic Theses and Dissertations. University of Central
Florida.
Heilmayer, D., Reiss, N. and Buskirk, M. (2020). Community gardens cultivate positive experiences for
refugees. Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture, 30(1), 25-35.
Hunter, R.F., Cleland, C., Cleary, A., Droomers, M., Wheeler, B.W., Sinnett, D., Nieuwenhuijsen, M.J. &
Braubach, M. (2019). Environmental, health, wellbeing, social and equity effects of urban green space interventions: A meta-narrative evidence synthesis. Environ Int., 130, 104923. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.104923
Husk, K., Lovell, R., Cooper, C., Stahl-Timmins, W. & Garside, R. (2016). Participation in environmental
enhancement and conservation activities for health and well-being in adults: A review of quantitative and qualitative evidence. Cochrane Database Syst Rev., 2(5), CD010351. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD010351.pub2
Jennings, V. & Bamkole, O. (2019). The relationship between social cohesion and urban green space:
An avenue for health promotion. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 16(3), 452
Joung, D., Park, B.J. & Kang, S. (2022). Quality of life and mental health benefits of public
participation in forest conservation activities in urban areas. Int J Environ Res Public Health., 19(15), 9768. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19159768
Kalaman, H., Knox, G.W., Wilson, S.B. & Wilber, W. (2020). A master gardener survey: Promoting
pollinator-friendly plants through education and outreach. HortTechnology, 30(2). https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH04460-19
Leavell, M.A., Leiferman, J.A., Gascon, M., Braddick, F., Gonzalez, J.C. & Litt, J.S. (2019). Nature-
based social prescribing in urban settings to improve social connectedness and mental well-being: A review. Curr Environ Health Rep., 6(4), 297-308. doi: 10.1007/s40572-019-00251-7
Litt, J.S., Soobader, M.J., Turbin, M.S., Hale, J.W., Buchenau, M. & Marshall, J.A. (2011). The influence
of social involvement, neighborhood aesthetics, and community garden participation on fruit and vegetable consumption. Am J Public Health., 101(8), 1466-73. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2010.300111
Litt, J.S., Schmiege, S.J., Hale, J.W., Buchenau, M. & Sancar, F. (2015). Exploring ecological, emotional
and social levers of self-rated health for urban gardeners and non-gardeners: A path analysis. Social Science & Medicine, 144, 1–8.
Martin, W. & Vold, L. (2018). Building capacity through urban agriculture: Report on the askîy project.
Health Promot Chronic Dis Prev Can., 38(1), 29-35. doi: 10.24095/hpcdp.38.1.06
McGuire, L., Morris, S.L. & Pollard, T.M. (2022). Community gardening and wellbeing: The
understandings of organisers and their implications for gardening for health. Health Place, 75, 102773. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2022.102773
Mehta, K., Lopresti, S. & Thomas, J. (2019). Addressing nutrition and social connection through
community gardening: A South Australian study. Health Promot J Austr., 30 Suppl 1, 5-8. doi: 10.1002/hpja.235
Mejia, A., Bhattacharya, M. & Miraglia, J. (2020). Village Community Garden & Learning Center.
Community gardening as a way to build cross-cultural community resilience in intersectionally diverse gardeners: Community-based participatory research and campus-community-partnered proposal. JMIR Res Protoc., 9(10), e21218. doi: 10.2196/21218
Mmako, N.J., Capetola, T. & Henderson-Wilson, C. (2019). Sowing social inclusion for marginalized
residents of a social housing development through a community garden. Health Promotions Journal Australia, 30(3), 350-358. doi: 10.1002/hpja.225
Ng, T.K.S., Gan, D.R.Y., Mahendran, R., Kua, E.H. & Ho, R.C. (2021). Social connectedness as a
mediator for horticultural therapy's biological effect on community-dwelling older adults: Secondary analyses of a randomized controlled trial. Soc Sci Med., 284, 114191. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114191
Noone, S. & Jenkins, N. (2018). Digging for dementia: Exploring the experience of community
gardening from the perspectives of people with dementia. Aging Mental Health, 22(7), 881-888. doi: 10.1080/13607863.2017.1393793
Ochylski, R. (2017). Better health through horticulture: Using horticulture to influence behavior and
reduce stress. Thesis: Northern Michigan University.
Okvat, H. & Zautra, A. (2011). Community gardening: A parsimonious path to individual, community
and environmental resilience. American Journal of Community Psychology, 47, 374–87. doi:
10.1007/s10464-010-9404-z
Ong, M., Baker, A., Aguilar, A. & Stanley, M. (2019). The meanings attributed to community
gardening: A qualitative study. Health Place, 59, 102190. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2019.102190
Pollin, S. & Retzlaff-Furst, C. (2021). The school garden: A social and emotional place. Front. Psychol.
Poortinga, W. (2012). Community resilience and health: The role of bonding, bridging, and linking
aspects of social capital. Health and Place, 18(2), 286-295. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2011.09.017
Putra, I.G.N.E., Astell-Burt, T., Cliff, D., Vella, S., John, E.E. & Feng, X. (2020). The relationship between
green space and prosocial behavior among children and adolescents: A systematic review. Front. Psychol., 11, 859. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00859
Richardson, E.A., Pearce, J., Shortt, N.K. & Mitchell, R. (2017). The role of public and private natural
space in children's social, emotional and behavioral development in Scotland: A longitudinal study. Environmental Research, 158, 729-736.
Rogers, M., Livstron, I., Roiger, B. & Smith, A. (2019). Growing North Minneapolis: Connecting youth
and community through garden-based experiential learning. HortTechnology, 30(1). https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH04308-19
Rogge, N., Theesfeld, I. & Strassner, C. (2018). Social sustainability through social interaction—A
national survey on community gardens in Germany. Sustainability, 10, 1085. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10041085
Sachs, A.L., Coringrato, E., Sprague, N., Turbyfill, A., Tillema, S. & Litt, J. (2022). Rationale, feasibility,
and acceptability of the meeting in nature together (MINT) program: A novel nature-based social intervention for loneliness reduction with teen parents and their peers. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 19(17), 11059. doi: 10.3390/ijerph191711059
Sanchez, E., Gorgo-Gouravitch, M. & Stivers, L. (2019). Creating a sense of belonging for Hispanic
farmers and farmworkers in agricultural programming. HortTechnology, 29(4). https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH04336-19
Scott, T.L., Masser, B.M. & Pachana, N.A. (2020). Positive aging benefits of home and community
gardening activities: Older adults report enhanced self-esteem, productive endeavours, social engagement and exercise. SAGE Open Medicine, 22, 8. doi: 10.1177/2050312120901732
Shostak, S. & Guscott, N. (2017). Grounded in the neighborhood, grounded in community: Social
capital and health in community gardens. In Shostak Food Systems and Health. Emerald Publishing, 199-222.
Smyth, N., Thorn, L., Wood, C., Hall, D. & Lister, C. (2022). Increased wellbeing following engagement
in a group nature-based programme: The Green Gym Programme delivered by the conservation volunteers. Healthcare (Basel), 10(6), 978. doi: 10.3390/healthcare10060978
Soga, M., Cox, D.T., Yamaura, Y., Gaston, K.J., Kurisu, K. & Hanaki, K. (2017). Health benefits of urban
allotment gardening: Improved physical and psychological well-being and social integration. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 14(1), 71. doi: 10.3390/ijerph14010071
Tam, A. (2014). Empowering citizens in a global era: A grounded theory study of community
gardens. All Dissertations. Paper 1437. Clemson University.
Teig, E., Amulya, J., Bardwell, L., Buchenau, M., Marshall, J.A. & Litt, J.S. (2009). Collective efficacy in
Denver, Colorado: Strengthening neighborhoods and health through community gardens. Health Place, 15(4), 1115-22. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2009.06.003
Tierney, S., Mahtani, K.R., Wong, G., Todd, J., Roberts, N., Akinyemi, O., Howes, S. & Turk, A. (2022).
The role of volunteering in supporting well-being - What might this mean for social prescribing? A best-fit framework synthesis of qualitative research. Health Soc Care Community., 30(2), e325-e346. doi: 10.1111/hsc.13516.
Uren, H.V., Dzidic, P.L. & Bishop, B.J. (2015). Exploring social and cultural norms to promote
ecologically sensitive residential garden design. Landsc. Urban Plan., 137, 76-84.
U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Civic participation [literature summary]. Healthy
People 2020. https://health.gov/healthypeople/priority-areas/social-determinants-health/literature-summaries/civic-participation
Veen, E.J., Bock, B.B., Van den Berg, W. et al. (2016). Community gardening and social cohesion:
Different designs, different motivations. Local Environ., 21(10), 1271-1287.
Ward, K.S., Truong, S. & Gray, T. (2022). Connecting to nature through community engaged
scholarship: Community gardens as sites for collaborative relationships, psychological, and physiological wellbeing. Front Psychiatry, 13, 883817. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.883817
Wood, C.J., Barton, J.L. & Wicks, C.L. (2022). The impact of therapeutic community gardening on the
wellbeing, loneliness, and life satisfaction of individuals with mental illness. Int J Environ Res Public Health., 19(20), 13166. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192013166
Yasalonis, A. & Pinson, N. (2021). Reporting wellness benefits of horticulture volunteer programs.
ISHS Acta Horticulturae 1330: XV International People Plant Symposium and II International Symposium on Horticultural Therapies: The Role of Horticulture in Human Well-being and Social Development.
Examples of horticulture as a catalyst for social interactions/apolitical groups
Garden Club of Madison install Gothic High Tunnel hoop houses in New Jersey.
Honor Center Garden & Sanctuary Garden, Gainesville FL.
Support from master gardeners including garden design, fundraising & ongoing volunteerism keep the garden & its programs operational.
Rodgers County Master Gardener Activities identifies activities that create educational, social and horticultural bonds.
Sarasota Garden Club, Sarasota, FL.
Activities are social and community focused & include volunteering at botanical gardens, Ringling Secret Garden, Orange Blossom Community Garden, and more.
Honor Center Garden & Sanctuary Garden, Gainesville FL.
Support from master gardeners including garden design, fundraising & ongoing volunteerism keep the garden & its programs operational.
Rodgers County Master Gardener Activities identifies activities that create educational, social and horticultural bonds.
Sarasota Garden Club, Sarasota, FL.
Activities are social and community focused & include volunteering at botanical gardens, Ringling Secret Garden, Orange Blossom Community Garden, and more.
Videos, webinars & websites of horticulture as a catalyst for social interactions/apolitical groups
A Community Garden in Tampa uses this as a platform for socializing and bonding.
Building Community One Garden at a time concept presented at TEDxNewBedford, sharing how these school gardens are horticultural platforms that can create connections and strengthen community.
Children and Nature Network’s resources online: benefits of nature, equity & inclusion, families, youth.
Gardening as a social activity video highlights university students connecting through gardening.
Learning series joint initiative from National League of Cities, Children Nature Network, National Recreation and Park Association & Justice Outside with a variety of topics online related to children’s access to nature.
Saving the world with gardening TedXAdelaide looks at this activity as a platform for physical activity, inclusion and more.
Building Community One Garden at a time concept presented at TEDxNewBedford, sharing how these school gardens are horticultural platforms that can create connections and strengthen community.
Children and Nature Network’s resources online: benefits of nature, equity & inclusion, families, youth.
Gardening as a social activity video highlights university students connecting through gardening.
Learning series joint initiative from National League of Cities, Children Nature Network, National Recreation and Park Association & Justice Outside with a variety of topics online related to children’s access to nature.
Saving the world with gardening TedXAdelaide looks at this activity as a platform for physical activity, inclusion and more.
Related organizations
Written & compiled by Lesley Fleming Oct 2021; revised in Nov 2022 by Lesley Fleming, Bree Stark
POLITICAL/SOCIAL CHANGE GROUPS AS A CATALYST FOR SOCIAL INTERACTIONS
The focus of this resource page is on social interactions involving horticultural activities, and those promoting social/political change related to food security. These types of social interactions foster sense of community, social cohesion and social affiliation (Tam, 2014; Leavell et al., 2019). Social theory explains the need to affiliate. The type of organizations that fall into this category include food alliances, food literacy non-profits, community gardens, urban farms, schools, 4-H groups, land trusts and neighborhoods.
Additional resources on food action, types of gardens (school, community gardens, urban farms), and different aspects of food security can be found in Food, Nutrition & Food Action category and Landscapes for Health category.
The focus of this resource page is on social interactions involving horticultural activities, and those promoting social/political change related to food security. These types of social interactions foster sense of community, social cohesion and social affiliation (Tam, 2014; Leavell et al., 2019). Social theory explains the need to affiliate. The type of organizations that fall into this category include food alliances, food literacy non-profits, community gardens, urban farms, schools, 4-H groups, land trusts and neighborhoods.
Additional resources on food action, types of gardens (school, community gardens, urban farms), and different aspects of food security can be found in Food, Nutrition & Food Action category and Landscapes for Health category.
Key organizations
Civil Eats – a weekly epublication with articles related to health, food security, food + policy,
environment, food justice, farming
Food Alliance
environment, food justice, farming
Food Alliance
Books, journals & epublications on HORTICULTURE AS A CATALYST FOR SOCIAL INTERACTIONS IN POLITICAL/SOCIAL CHANGE GROUPS
Nettle, C. (2014). Community Gardening a Social Action. Routledge.
Research & articles on HORTICULTURE AS A CATALYST FOR SOCIAL INTERACTIONS IN POLITICAL/SOCIAL CHANGE GROUPS
Recently published selected research & articles:
Alaimo, K., Beavers, A.W., Crawford, C., Snyder, E.H. & Litt, J.S. (2016). Amplifying health through
community gardens: A framework for advancing multicomponent, behaviorally based neighborhood interventions. Current Environmental Health Reports, 3(3), 302-12. doi: 10.1007/s40572-016-0105-0.
Bice, M.R., Ball, J., Bickford, N., Bickford, S.H., Hollman, A., Coughlin, A., Dinkel, D., Meyer, R.C. &
Ranglack, D.H. (2018). Community gardens: Interactions between communities, schools, and impact on students. The Health Educator, 50(1).
Campbell, B. (2021). Social justice and sociological theory. Society, 58(5), 355-364. doi: 10.1007/s12115-
021-00625-4. Epub 2021 Aug 26. PMID: 34465929
Egerer, M., Fouch, N., Anderson, E.C. & Clarke, M. (2020). Socio-ecological connectivity differs in
magnitude and direction across urban landscapes. Science Reports, 10(1), 4252. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-61230-9.
Glover, T.D., Parry, D.C. & Shinew, K.J. (2005). Building relationships, accessing resources: Mobilizing
social capital in community garden contexts. Journal Leisure Research, 37(4), 450-74. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222216.2005.11950062.
Heilmayer, D., Reiss, N. & Buskirk, M. (2020). Community gardens cultivate positive experiences for
refugees. Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture, 30 (1), 25-35.
Levasseur, M., Richard, L., Gauvin, L. & Raymond, E. (2010). Inventory and analysis of definitions of
social participation found in the aging literature: Proposed taxonomy of social activities.
Social Science Medicine, 71(12), 2141-9. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2010.09.041.
Lovell, R., Husk, K., Bethel, A. & Garside, R. (2014). What are the health and well-being impacts of
community gardening for adults and children: A mixed method systematic review protocol.
Environmental Evidence, 3, 20.
Mehta, K., Lopresti, S. & Thomas, J. (2019). Addressing nutrition and social connection through
community gardening: A South Australian study. Health Promotions Journal Australia 30
Suppl, 1, 5-8. doi: 10.1002/hpja.235.
Mmako, N.J., Capetola, T. & Henderson-Wilson, C. (2019). Sowing social inclusion for marginalized
residents of a social housing development through a community garden. Health Promotions Journal Australia, 30(3), 350-358. doi: 10.1002/hpja.225.
Okvat, H. & Zautra, A. (2011). Community gardening: A parsimonious path to individual, community
and environmental resilience. American Journal of Community Psychology, 47, 374–87. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10464-010-9404-z.
Tam, A. (2014). Empowering citizens in a global era: A grounded theory study of community
gardens. All Dissertations. Paper 1437. Clemson University.
Alaimo, K., Beavers, A.W., Crawford, C., Snyder, E.H. & Litt, J.S. (2016). Amplifying health through
community gardens: A framework for advancing multicomponent, behaviorally based neighborhood interventions. Current Environmental Health Reports, 3(3), 302-12. doi: 10.1007/s40572-016-0105-0.
Bice, M.R., Ball, J., Bickford, N., Bickford, S.H., Hollman, A., Coughlin, A., Dinkel, D., Meyer, R.C. &
Ranglack, D.H. (2018). Community gardens: Interactions between communities, schools, and impact on students. The Health Educator, 50(1).
Campbell, B. (2021). Social justice and sociological theory. Society, 58(5), 355-364. doi: 10.1007/s12115-
021-00625-4. Epub 2021 Aug 26. PMID: 34465929
Egerer, M., Fouch, N., Anderson, E.C. & Clarke, M. (2020). Socio-ecological connectivity differs in
magnitude and direction across urban landscapes. Science Reports, 10(1), 4252. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-61230-9.
Glover, T.D., Parry, D.C. & Shinew, K.J. (2005). Building relationships, accessing resources: Mobilizing
social capital in community garden contexts. Journal Leisure Research, 37(4), 450-74. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222216.2005.11950062.
Heilmayer, D., Reiss, N. & Buskirk, M. (2020). Community gardens cultivate positive experiences for
refugees. Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture, 30 (1), 25-35.
Levasseur, M., Richard, L., Gauvin, L. & Raymond, E. (2010). Inventory and analysis of definitions of
social participation found in the aging literature: Proposed taxonomy of social activities.
Social Science Medicine, 71(12), 2141-9. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2010.09.041.
Lovell, R., Husk, K., Bethel, A. & Garside, R. (2014). What are the health and well-being impacts of
community gardening for adults and children: A mixed method systematic review protocol.
Environmental Evidence, 3, 20.
Mehta, K., Lopresti, S. & Thomas, J. (2019). Addressing nutrition and social connection through
community gardening: A South Australian study. Health Promotions Journal Australia 30
Suppl, 1, 5-8. doi: 10.1002/hpja.235.
Mmako, N.J., Capetola, T. & Henderson-Wilson, C. (2019). Sowing social inclusion for marginalized
residents of a social housing development through a community garden. Health Promotions Journal Australia, 30(3), 350-358. doi: 10.1002/hpja.225.
Okvat, H. & Zautra, A. (2011). Community gardening: A parsimonious path to individual, community
and environmental resilience. American Journal of Community Psychology, 47, 374–87. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10464-010-9404-z.
Tam, A. (2014). Empowering citizens in a global era: A grounded theory study of community
gardens. All Dissertations. Paper 1437. Clemson University.
Examples of HORTICULTURE AS A CATALYST FOR SOCIAL INTERACTIONS IN POLITICAL/SOCIAL CHANGE GROUPS
4-H Extension, its programs and its youth participants are working with local community organization in support of food security, the catalyst for healthier living in Philadelphia with common action.
How Urban Farms are Changing Cities –several urban farms in Victoria, British Columbia are visited, exploring the connections between growing food, sustainability, & connections among people, restaurants & cities.
Land Trust Alliance is bringing people together to save land, strengthen communities & create a healthier planet. A different type of horticulture-centric, land-centric cause, with a focus on nature requiring common action and affiliation.
Northeast Farmers of Color Land Trust (NEFOC) affiliate to act for future food & land sovereignty through permanent and secure land tenure for Indigenous, Black Latinx & Asian framers honoring their ancestors’ dreams for regenerative farming, sustainable human habitat, ceremony, native ecosystem restoration & cultural preservation.
The Okra Project is a mutual aid collective providing support to Black Trans, non-binary, & gender-nonconforming people with the intention of alleviating barriers to the community including land security, food security & opportunities for Black Diasporic cooking traditions.
This Detroit Agrihood is Transforming its Community –Michigan Urban Farming Initiative Tour
How Urban Farms are Changing Cities –several urban farms in Victoria, British Columbia are visited, exploring the connections between growing food, sustainability, & connections among people, restaurants & cities.
Land Trust Alliance is bringing people together to save land, strengthen communities & create a healthier planet. A different type of horticulture-centric, land-centric cause, with a focus on nature requiring common action and affiliation.
Northeast Farmers of Color Land Trust (NEFOC) affiliate to act for future food & land sovereignty through permanent and secure land tenure for Indigenous, Black Latinx & Asian framers honoring their ancestors’ dreams for regenerative farming, sustainable human habitat, ceremony, native ecosystem restoration & cultural preservation.
The Okra Project is a mutual aid collective providing support to Black Trans, non-binary, & gender-nonconforming people with the intention of alleviating barriers to the community including land security, food security & opportunities for Black Diasporic cooking traditions.
This Detroit Agrihood is Transforming its Community –Michigan Urban Farming Initiative Tour
Videos & webinars of HORTICULTURE AS A CATALYST FOR SOCIAL INTERACTIONS IN POLITICAL/SOCIAL CHANGE GROUPS
Food Systems Summit 2021 community identified an action area of nourishing all people, a coalition of people & organizations from around the world acting together with a common purpose.
Planting with purpose at Urban Tilth: Civil Eats TV urban farm profile transforming a food desert into community friendly productive space.
Qajuqturvik organization in Nunavut Canada is focused on solutions for food security & food sovereignty using community food center, bonding, cohesion & Nunavummiut determination. Building community through food is their motto.
Urban Growers Collective Chicago Il. is a Black & woman-led non-profit farm working together to build a more just & equitable local food system through growing food, cultivating nourishing environments in support of health, economic development, healing & creativity through urban agriculture.
Urban School Food Alliance & FoodCorps Partner for Better School Meals. The 11 largest urban school districts in the U.S. are working together to build healthier school food environments, sharing this common cause.
Planting with purpose at Urban Tilth: Civil Eats TV urban farm profile transforming a food desert into community friendly productive space.
Qajuqturvik organization in Nunavut Canada is focused on solutions for food security & food sovereignty using community food center, bonding, cohesion & Nunavummiut determination. Building community through food is their motto.
Urban Growers Collective Chicago Il. is a Black & woman-led non-profit farm working together to build a more just & equitable local food system through growing food, cultivating nourishing environments in support of health, economic development, healing & creativity through urban agriculture.
Urban School Food Alliance & FoodCorps Partner for Better School Meals. The 11 largest urban school districts in the U.S. are working together to build healthier school food environments, sharing this common cause.
Written & compiled by Lesley Fleming Oct 2021; revised Nov 2022 by Lesley Fleming, Bree Stark