Graduation Year

Spring 2014

Document Type

Open Access Senior Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Environmental Analysis

Reader 1

Herrold-Menzies

Reader 2

Jaquez

Rights Information

© 2013 Leah Hochberg

Abstract

This study examines models of community gardens and urban farms and determined a successful hybrid model for future implementation at the Huerta del Valle Community Garden. This was accomplished through analyzing the unique benefits and drawbacks of community gardens and urban farms as defined by the author, and then determining the components of each model that would maximize Huerta del Valle’s social and economic potential. Community gardens are defined in this thesis as places where community members can grow their own food in individual plots, and these spaces often contribute to community building, hands-on gardening education, and improved food access. Urban farms are defined as business models that produce food to sell to the community both to support the business and to improve community food access.

Through research of existing community garden, urban farm, and hybrid models, the author determined that the most effective hybrid model includes intensive crop production, crop sales onsite as well as in farmers’ markets and delivery methods, a large community garden, and education programs for the community. The author then offered Huerta del Valle a potential model that includes these components as well as a store front, cooking lessons, value-added products, a Community Supported Agriculture program, and specific themed gardening classes. This complete model will potentially increase Huerta del Valle’s scope so it is able to improve healthy food access throughout Ontario while creating an enduring economic model.

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