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Understanding the Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivations Associated with Community Gardening to Improve Environmental Public Health Prevention and Intervention

Author

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  • Monica D. Ramirez-Andreotta

    (Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
    Department of Community, Environment and Policy Department, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA)

  • Abigail Tapper

    (Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA)

  • Diamond Clough

    (New York Medical College, School of Medicine, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA)

  • Jennifer S. Carrera

    (Department of Sociology and Environmental Science & Policy Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA)

  • Shana Sandhaus

    (Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA)

Abstract

Considering that community members continue to garden in and near environments impacted by pollutants known to negatively impact human health, this paper seeks to characterize the intrinsic and extrinsic motivations of a gardener and elucidate their perception of soil quality and environmental responsibility, awareness of past land use, and gardening behavior. Via semi-structured interviews with community gardeners in the Boston area ( N = 17), multifactorial motivations associated with gardening as well as ongoing environmental health challenges were reported. Gardeners are knowledgeable about their garden’s historical past and are concerned with soil quality, theft, trash maintenance, animal waste, and loss of produce from foraging animals. Study findings directly inform the field of environmental health exposure assessments by reporting gardening duration, activities that can lead to incidental soil ingestion, and consumption patterns of locally grown produce. This information combined with an understanding of a gardener’s intrinsic and extrinsic motivations can be used to develop urban agricultural infrastructure and management strategies, educational programming, and place-based environmental public health interventions.

Suggested Citation

  • Monica D. Ramirez-Andreotta & Abigail Tapper & Diamond Clough & Jennifer S. Carrera & Shana Sandhaus, 2019. "Understanding the Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivations Associated with Community Gardening to Improve Environmental Public Health Prevention and Intervention," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-15, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:3:p:494-:d:204716
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Liying Yu & Hongda Liu & Ardjouman Diabate & Yuyao Qian & Hagan Sibiri & Bing Yan, 2020. "Assessing Influence Mechanism of Green Utilization of Agricultural Wastes in Five Provinces of China through Farmers’ Motivation-Cognition-Behavior," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-18, May.
    2. Candis M. Hunter & Dana H. Z. Williamson & Matthew O. Gribble & Halle Bradshaw & Melanie Pearson & Eri Saikawa & P. Barry Ryan & Michelle Kegler, 2019. "Perspectives on Heavy Metal Soil Testing Among Community Gardeners in the United States: A Mixed Methods Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-19, July.
    3. Tobias Ihle & Ellen Jahr & Dörte Martens & Holger Muehlan & Silke Schmidt, 2024. "Health Effects of Participation in Creating Urban Green Spaces—A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-26, June.
    4. Anna Gregis & Chiara Ghisalberti & Savino Sciascia & Francesco Sottile & Cristiana Peano, 2021. "Community Garden Initiatives Addressing Health and Well-Being Outcomes: A Systematic Review of Infodemiology Aspects, Outcomes, and Target Populations," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-12, February.

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