GOOD
Gardening
Cultivating Health through Community Gardens BY ADRIANA BACHMANN
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Community gardening has a long history, beginning in America at the turn of the 20th century with allotment gardens, and re-emerging during the World Wars as “Victory Gardens.”
Today, community gardens are often used to revitalize communities affected by urban decline to build a sense of social responsibility, provide nutritious food, teach environmental stewardship and create a safe place for community members. At their core, community gardens are defined as a piece of land where plants are grown and maintained by members of the community. However, many would argue that they’re so much more. According to Designing Healthy Communities, community gardens: “Play a significant role in enhancing the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being necessary to build healthy and socially sustainable communities.” The American Community Gardening Association (ACGA) links more than 2,000 gardens across the United States and Canada. At least 20 community gardens are located within the city of Tucson. Melissa Mundt, community engagement manager at the Community Gardens of Tucson, says their organization has a network of thousands of local gardeners and supporters who learn, share and practice desert-appropriate, sustainable food production. They have an active membership of 400 people who garden in individual plots.
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When asked what the health benefits of community gardening are for individuals and communities, Mundt said she believes community gardens function, “As a green space for getting your hands dirty and getting in touch with the seasons, as a space to get some exercise and get outside, a place to meet people and work together and, of course, a place to grow some vegetables.” She went on to explain that during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s become incredibly apparent how beneficial community gardens can be for people’s mental health. “Gardens were one of the few places that felt safe to go, to feel connected to nature and grounded. Gardens became a refuge for people to get out of the house, grow food, relax and unwind from the stress of quarantine or job loss,” Mundt said. Community gardens around the world have been credited with a multitude of beneficial health outcomes for participants. These benefits include an enhancement of nutrition through the production of fruits and vegetables; the opportunity for regular movement that contributes to a person’s recommended levels of physical activity; and the promotion of mental well being by encouraging mindfulness and reducing stress.
