Evaluating the Potential Quantification of Community Garden and Urban Farms

Contacto

Principal Investigator/Author: Kama Wong

Contractor: University of California, Irvine

Contract Number: 23STC014

Project Status: Completed

Relevant CARB Programs: Sustainable Communities & Climate Protection Program

Topic Areas: Sustainable Communities, Research & Sustainable Communities, Sustainable Community Strategies (SCS), Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Reduction & Climate Goals, Land Use & Transportation Research

 

Research Summary:

This project will investigate the current understanding of the benefits of community gardens in the context of climate mitigation and community resiliency. The contractor will engage communities throughout the process to understand the needs, benefits, and implementation of community garden projects.

This project will examine the following questions:

  • Clear definition of a community garden as a project:
    • What practices are considered community gardening?
    • What is the variability in the scale of these projects?
  • Potential benefits of community gardens:
    • What is the potential for community gardens to reduce GHG emissions?
      • Does local food production reduce vehicle travel for food procurement and food delivery?
      • What impact does small-scale project development have on travel demand and construction needs?
      • Do community gardens measurably increase carbon sequestration in soils?
      • Does local food production and consumption impact food waste reduction and associated methane emission?
    • What are the potential benefits of community gardens for advancing social and racial equity in urban and rural disadvantaged communities?
    • Are there other benefits that could accrue from community gardens?
      • Does consumption of locally-produced food improve physical health?
      • Does local food production result in cost savings for local residents?

The contractor will utilize existing resources and new analyses to develop a proposal for pathways to support providing incentives for community garden projects based on their contribution toward the State’s climate and resiliency goals.

 

Keywords: community gardens, climate mitigation, resiliency, greenhouse gas (GHG), emissions, equity