Semester of Graduation

Spring 2025

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Extension and Education

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

Community and Communal gardens (CG) have been documented as early as the late 1800s during periods of economic recessions and high food insecurity (The MIT Press Reader, 2022). However, C.G. adoption rates are expanding on a global scale as communities and municipalities see the potential for the tool to bring relief to environments in dire need of additional resources. Utilizing a communal garden can be used to address a surplus of systemic barriers a community faces; it has a significant opportunity to bring forth the interconnected tiers of public health altogether (Twiss et. al, 2003). Modernized C.G projects bring forth the potential additional benefits of physical activity opportunities, can represent as a social and beautification endeavor for a community, and suggest benefits to mental and overall wellness for participants (Lal, 2020). When the community members and their needs are brought to the forefront of the change, the potential to impact a community’s overall wellness far surpasses food security.

The residents of White Castle, Louisiana, were asked to assess their community’s needs in a pilot survey. After the data determined that food security and nutritional deficits were primary concerns of residents, with school and C.G. implementations being their preferred resolution, the Iberville Parish Healthy Communities Coalition implemented the White Castle Communal Garden Project to the community in stages over a two-year period. Two community forums were conducted to prioritize the community’s opinions in making decisions regarding the implementation. Prior to the grand opening, the intrinsic case study concluded by conducting a qualitative data collection through twenty-five unprompted, random interviews of residents to gather their opinion of the implementation process.

Date

4-3-2025

Committee Chair

Richardson, William B.

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