Ethnographic research on urban farming.

1. An Ethnographic Comparison of Two
Urban Farms in the flatlands of
Oakland, California

2. FOOD
DESERTS
Low food security: reports of
reduced quality, variety, or
desirability of diet. Little or no
indication of reduced food
intake.
High food security: No
reported indications of food
access problem or limitations.
“Regions of the country often feature large
proportions of households with low incomes,
inadequate access to transportation, and a
limited number of food retailers providing fresh
produce and healthy groceries for affordable
prices”-United States Department of Agriculture

3. “Health Disparities Have Harmful Effects
Obesity and Chronic Health Conditions Are Caused in Part
By Inadequate Access to Fresh Food
• Obesity is a risk factor for a variety of chronic conditions,
including diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, stroke,
heart disease, certain cancers and arthritis. Of these
conditions, it appears that diabetes is most closely linked to
obesity. In the U.S., between the periods from 1988-1994 and
2004-2005, diabetes increased significantly among non-
Hispanic blacks. In 2008, 37.3% of all Non-Hispanic blacks
were obese, compared with 31.9% of non-Hispanic Whites
“Food Deserts" Result in Poorer Health Outcomes
• The connection between healthy diets and good health
outcomes is well established. This is readily seen, for
example, with respect to diabetes and hypertension, two
chronic – and preventable – diseases that disproportionately
affect ethnic and racial minorities. Thus, the existence of
"food deserts" contributes to the continuation of racial and
ethnic health disparities.”-
http://www.medicareadvocacy.org/medicare-info/health-care-disparities/
• Public Health
• Health Disparities
• Social Inequality

5. Acta Non Verba
Mission :
• A safe outdoor space
utilizing the garden as a
classroom for low-income
youth.
• Build individual skills and
community.
• Raise seed money for
college funds.
People’s Grocery
Mission :
• Improve health and local
economy of West Oakland
• Long-term goal to build a
community grocery store
• Build social capital

6. Can urban agriculture solve health disparities?

7. Primary Questions
• What is the role of an urban farm in a food desert
community?
Secondary Question
• Why do people associate themselves with urban gardens?
(Eg. volunteer, attend events, visit ect.)

8. • 2 Interviews lasting approx. 35
minutes conducted at the farm.
• 2 one-hour structured observations;
One in the farm, one at a dinner
event
• 2 one-hour participant observations;
One in the farm, one at a dinner
event
• One group administered
questionnaire issued to ‘Family
Dinner’ participants
• 3 Interviews lasting approx. 35
minutes conducted at an agreed upon
place.
• 2 one-hour structured observations
• 1 two-hour participant
observation at the farm
• One group administered
questionnaire issued to ‘Green the
Chestnut Street Block Party’
participants
Acta Non Verba People’s Grocery

9. Observations:
Although sample sizes were small at the public events,
every 2-3 person was observed to prevent bias.
Surveyed Participants:
Participants were recruited from
public events and were offered the
opportunity to take part in a survey
concerning urban agriculture. This was a
voluntary survey. A total of thirteen people were
surveyed.

10. Findings & Analysis
“I sat down and tried to figure out
how to use urban farming to have
kids create a trust for themselves.
There's not really, to my
knowledge, a way for kids to
actually learn how to do something
and invest in their own future.”-
Kelly Carlisle, Acta Non Verba
“People are betterin' their health by
the power they have to grow their
own foods so our first landmark is
to grow your own self.” -Larry Davis,
People’s Grocery
What is the role of an urban farm?
People’s Grocery’s Adjacent Lot To California Hotel

11. Findings & Analysis
What is the role of an urban farm?
URBANFARM
EMPOWERMENT
HEALTH
DIET
ENVIRONMENT
COMMUNITY IDENTITY
EDUCATION SKILLS

12. Findings & Analysis
Why do people associate with urban farms?
People’s Grocery-Photo by Bay Localize Acta Non Verba

13.  80% participants from
People’s Grocery
believed COMMUNITY
WAS MOST
IMPORTANT
 75% of participants
from Acta Non Verba
believed FRESH
PRODUCE WAS MOST
IMPORTANT
Culture or
Ancestral
Roots
Fresh
Produc
e
Community
Place
Why do people
associate with
Urban Farms?

14. Conclusions
• The objective of both Acta Non Verba and People’s Grocery is to empower
those within the community.
• It is believed that by providing a community with an urban farm, those people
will be empowered.
• Participants from Acta Non Verba and People’s Grocery share different values
regarding urban farms.
• Urban farms provide a sense of shared public space.
• Participation in urban farming allows people to (re)identify with their culture
or ancestors