Building racial bridges? Social capital among community gardeners in US food deserts

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between race and racial diversity on social capital in community gardens located in food deserts in the southeastern region of the USA. Using snowball methods, a sample of 52 gardeners who represented 10 community gardens was obtained. Cross‐level regression models were performed using two different aspects of social capital: one’s “sense of community” and the “number of resources” a gardener could obtain from fellow gardeners, as dependent variables. Results indicate that community gardens are excellent vehicles for promoting one’s sense of community regardless of one’s race or a garden’s racial composition. In contrast, community gardens were less likely to increase the number of resources. It took longer and more effort to access a greater number of resources while increased perceptions of racial diversity had a negative relationship with number of resources.

‘Surrounding yourself with beauty’: exploring the health promotion potential of a rural garden appreciation group

“…This is consistent with the findings of a large range of research into gardening which shows a similar disproportion of gender, with groups typically having older, female participants ( Shiue, 2016 ; Liamputtong and Sanchez, 2018 ; Kingsley et al, 2019 ; Robbins and Seibel, 2020 ). The group also appears to lack ethnic diversity; an issue shared by several previous community gardening studies ( Glover, 2004 ; Firth et al, 2011 ; Jettner and Secret, 2020 ). Some describe the occurrence of this ‘ethnic homogeneity’ in gardening as a natural phenomenon that perceived racial differences are avoided because they would negatively impact the members’ sense of community ( Jettner and Secret, 2020 ).…”

“…The group also appears to lack ethnic diversity; an issue shared by several previous community gardening studies ( Glover, 2004 ; Firth et al, 2011 ; Jettner and Secret, 2020 ). Some describe the occurrence of this ‘ethnic homogeneity’ in gardening as a natural phenomenon that perceived racial differences are avoided because they would negatively impact the members’ sense of community ( Jettner and Secret, 2020 ). It is suggested that some gardening groups primarily attract white, middle-class gardeners as participants, but understanding why this is still ongoing is a featured recommendation of previous research ( Firth et al, 2011 ; Jettner and Secret, 2020 ).…”

“…Some describe the occurrence of this ‘ethnic homogeneity’ in gardening as a natural phenomenon that perceived racial differences are avoided because they would negatively impact the members’ sense of community ( Jettner and Secret, 2020 ). It is suggested that some gardening groups primarily attract white, middle-class gardeners as participants, but understanding why this is still ongoing is a featured recommendation of previous research ( Firth et al, 2011 ; Jettner and Secret, 2020 ). Although highlighted by members as being diverse, Colac has less diverse demographics (85.4% born in Australia) than the state of Victoria as a whole (64.9% born in Australia) ( ABS, 2021 ).…”

“…Although highlighted by members as being diverse, Colac has less diverse demographics (85.4% born in Australia) than the state of Victoria as a whole (64.9% born in Australia) ( ABS, 2021 ). Alternatively, it should be noted that other research does suggest that gardening is a facilitator of breaking down ethnic barriers ( Firth et al, 2011 ; Jettner and Secret, 2020 ).…”

Exploring the Mutual Relationships between Public Space and Social Satisfaction with Case Studies

“…The built environments become nonfunctional due to incompetent management, the end of the shelf life, lack of budget for maintenance, and disregard for the quality of life [12]. Recently, neighborhood social capital in urban plans has focused on two aspects: First, community service and local management, including public health, community governance, disaster relief, protecting vulnerable groups, and other social adjustment mechanisms [13][14][15][16][17][18]. Second, it deals with the community space resources under the influence of the community material conditions; it mainly studies community facilities, the development of low-income neighborhoods, landscape greening, and increasing areas of housing and sports [19][20][21][22].…”