"It's Good for the Human Soul": Community Gardening as a Pathway to Civic Action

Abstract

In this study, the author investigates the relationship between community gardening and civic action among undergraduate students through student interviews and narrative analyses utilizing an experiential learning theoretical framework.  Findings suggest that community gardening may be a pedagogical tool that allows students to develop civic knowledge and connect with and learn about their local communities.  Findings also suggest that students describe community gardening as civic actions and discuss how community gardening has resulted in future civic efforts.