Yevgeniya Gozenpud

SUSTAINABLE

AGRICULTURE:

Community Development

through Gardening

Throughout US history people have worked together to provide food and moral support during difficult times.

• WWI & WWII

• THE GREAT DEPRESSION

History

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Features of Community Gardens

1. Build Social Capital

2. Beautify Area

3. Build a sense of Community

4. Abate Criminal Activity

5. Increase in Local Food production and Nutritional Education

6. Environmental Education and Awareness

7. Aids local schools in providing science education.

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Problems Facing US Cities

23% of US Cities are Vacant

Tim Wilson, program director at City Farm, Chicago… “There are anywhere between

60,000 to 80,000 abandoned lots at any given time totally about 10,000 acres.”

Crime Nutrition/Foo

d

Education Community Economic

➢Reduce the amount

of VACANT Lots

➢Offer a new

resource for

healthy/ nutritious

food

➢ Offers education

to

families/residents

about nutrition

➢ Works with local

schools to

integrate science

programs

➢ Unites

communities

through active

participation.

➢ Unites people

from different

cultural

backgrounds,

ages, and gender.

➢ Creates jobs.

➢ Saves money for families.

➢ On job training.

➢ Community service opportunities.

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Gardens Increase Social CapitalSocial Capital Pyramid

Civic engagement is encouraged.

Community becomes invested in the land in their community.

Residents in the community begin to organize and work together for a

mutual benefit

Economic conditions improve through management, youth employment and on-site job

training

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Gardens Can Beautify An Area

1. Vacant lots can be transformed into beautiful areas.

2. The spaces can transform from hazardous to

sustainable through native planting.

3. Empty school yards could be transformed to an

educational and beautiful space.

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Gardens Help Build a Sense of Community

1. Encourages to collaborate with residents and build relationships

that reach past age, race, gender and culture.

2. Aids in easing community tensions.

3. Reclaiming, organizing and using land in the community.

4. Reduces crime and juvenile delinquency.

5. Promotes self-respect and respect for nature.

6. Creates opportunity for youth to connect with elders and mentors

within their area.

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Education

• Environmental Education

• Science Education

• Teacher Programs

• School assistance

• Family Programs

• Hands on Activity & Exploration in the areas of :

Science, Math & Art

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School Gardens Help Provide Hands

on Learning

FOOD

1. Increase amount of fresh nutritious food is available

to residents of urban communities.

2. Encourages Local food production.

3. Overall food security.

4. Saves money for families.

5. Food and nutrition education for youth and families.

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Goals

BEFORE AFTER

✓ TO UNITE PEOPLE AND HELP THEM TO REINVEST IN THE

COMMUNITIES THEY LIVE IN.

✓ TO EDUCATE COMMUNITIES ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT,

NUTRITION AND SUSTAINABILITY.

✓ TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE IN AREAS THAT ARE LACKING

FRESH FOOD.

✓ TO AID IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, JOB TRAINING AND

SELF-RESPECT.

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Resources

http://www.localharvest.org

http://sustainableagriculture.net

http://www.resourcecenterchicago.org

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