Community gardening during times of crisis: Recommendations for community-engaged dialogue, research, and praxis
Angie Mejia, Manami Bhattacharya, Amanda Nigon-Crowley, Kelly Kirkpatrick, Chandi Katoch
Abstract
Using ongoing reflections from our recent work as members of a community gardening initiative, we outline relevant priorities for researchers, policymakers, and community practitioners to examine the role of community gardens in addressing the effects of COVID-19 on the lives of intersectionally diverse growers. To understand how COVID-19 has influenced the practices of community-led urban agricultural spaces, we suggest that future efforts take into consideration three essential areas of focus: uses of community gardening in combating food insecurity during a pandemic, changes in community garden operations in response to crises, and community gardening’s role in nurturing emotional well-being.