COMMUNITY AND SCHOOL GARDENS: IMPACT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ON THE HOUSEHOLD

Abstract

Community and school gardens offer undeniable benefits including immediate and long-term access to affordable and healthful foods, however, the limited amount of and lack of research available about the familial impacts highlights a significant gap in general knowledge on the subject. This research paper presents the findings of a survey conducted at the Tucson Village Farm and Manzo Elementary School to examine the impact of community and school gardens on households. The study aimed to determine if families are utilizing the information their children learn in gardening programs. An anonymous survey was sent out to families of students in the Little Sprouts program at Tucson Village Farm and a few classrooms of students at Manzo Elementary School. The results indicate that there are positive attitudes towards these gardening programs, as families note that they provide a sense of community, connectivity to fresh foods and produce, structured outdoor and agricultural activities, and opportunities to learn social-emotional and life skills. Moreover, these gardens also provide avenues for families to connect and engage in activities together. The findings suggest that schools and educational organizations can serve as catalysts by providing resources, tools, and materials that families can use to actively participate in gardening practices in their households. This study highlights the potential of gardening programs to positively impact households and improve the overall health and well-being of families.