Harvesting the City: Sustainability, Sustenance, and Community Gardens in Omaha, Nebraska

Advisor Information

Julie Pelton

Location

Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library

Presentation Type

Poster

Start Date

3-3-2017 9:00 AM

End Date

3-3-2017 10:15 AM

Abstract

The modern food system has allowed food production to keep pace with the rapidly-expanding human population in the short-term, but its ecological costs might threaten food production and humanity in the long term. Alternative food systems are necessary to resist the modern, industrial food system and offset some of its harms. Community gardens (CGs) are one way to do so. These gardens exist on shared land upon which members have their own plots to grow food for personal use. Many people, such as those living in apartments, lack adequate space or sunlight to grow food at their homes, so CGs give them a space to do so. While CGs have been studied extensively in some cities, few studies have considered these gardens in Omaha. This study uses qualitative methods, including participant observation and interviews, to explore several research questions, including: What are the qualities and characteristics of CGs in Omaha? Why do individuals get involved in these gardens? (How) do community gardens contribute to sustainability and equality? What support do Omaha’s CGs need? Preliminary results of this study show that community gardens are quite varied in terms of their physical attributes, leadership structures, nonprofit status, activities, and land ownership situations. Most CGs rely on large amounts of effort from a small number of individuals. Impacts of CGs vary by site, but include creating green spaces and reducing people’s reliance on industrial food. CGs tend to have their needs met through grants and member fees or donations.

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Mar 3rd, 9:00 AM Mar 3rd, 10:15 AM

Harvesting the City: Sustainability, Sustenance, and Community Gardens in Omaha, Nebraska

Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library

The modern food system has allowed food production to keep pace with the rapidly-expanding human population in the short-term, but its ecological costs might threaten food production and humanity in the long term. Alternative food systems are necessary to resist the modern, industrial food system and offset some of its harms. Community gardens (CGs) are one way to do so. These gardens exist on shared land upon which members have their own plots to grow food for personal use. Many people, such as those living in apartments, lack adequate space or sunlight to grow food at their homes, so CGs give them a space to do so. While CGs have been studied extensively in some cities, few studies have considered these gardens in Omaha. This study uses qualitative methods, including participant observation and interviews, to explore several research questions, including: What are the qualities and characteristics of CGs in Omaha? Why do individuals get involved in these gardens? (How) do community gardens contribute to sustainability and equality? What support do Omaha’s CGs need? Preliminary results of this study show that community gardens are quite varied in terms of their physical attributes, leadership structures, nonprofit status, activities, and land ownership situations. Most CGs rely on large amounts of effort from a small number of individuals. Impacts of CGs vary by site, but include creating green spaces and reducing people’s reliance on industrial food. CGs tend to have their needs met through grants and member fees or donations.