Gateway Greening received a generous 3 year commitment to fund a research program to determine the efficacy of community gardens on the neighborhoods they serve. while it would be conducted in ST. louis, the results will impact all cg groups. If any studies are known or any research protocols are already out there, please let me know. ACGA, CFSC already in the loop. G

Dear Gwenne,

Here are 2 sources that might give you some leads...

1)Growing Gardens--"Creating gardens with volunteers for fresh food, learning, exercise & friendship where the need is greatest", a community partnership that starts lots of private community gardens,especially among low-income & organized groups(schools,nursing homes,apartment complexes,neighborhoods,etc.). Program coordinator---Hannah Burton(phgp@teleport.com),mail-2003 NE 42nd Ave#3, Portland,Or 97213,503-284-8420-phone,503-284-5355-fax. They have recently gone into winter "hibernation", so keep trying...
2)The Portland, Oregon School District has had a specialized high school curriculum program for ~25 yrs that combined vocational & academic horticultural tracks into 4 yr actual experience. They also had jr high level intro courses that funneled interested students into the high school. I think the current name of this program is "Green Thumb". They have been subject to lots of research studies & might be able to help you with your questions...
Best wishes & good luck!!

From what I've seen and read, San Francisco League of Urban Gardeners (S.L.U.G.)seems to be the best. With full cooperation of the City of SF, they have a lot of programs, and recieve a lot of educational and research grants and foundation funds.
I wasn't able to find a website for them, but I think they have one. It may take an old fashioned telephone call to 415-285-SLUG. The director is Mohammad Nuru (sp.). Perhaps he can give you useful ideas.

I'm a NYC community gardener. Studies were done by the office of the Brooklyn Borough President, Howard Golden and NY State Senator Sampson.