RESEARCH

Sowing Connections in a Community Garden

The research found that involving adolescent and young adult cancer survivors in a community gardening program was feasible and beneficial. Participants successfully engaged in gardening activities with support from mentors, fostering both physical activity and social interaction.

Program Types: Social

Population Groups: General Population, Chronic/Acute Health Conditions, Master Gardeners

Setting or Context: Community Gardens

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Better Nutritional Awareness, Increased Social Engagement & Skills, Increased Self-Efficacy

Allied Profession Intersections: Landscape Design

Type of Activity: Outdoor Gardening, Edible Plant Gardening

Evidence Type: Peer-Reviewed Studies, Qualitative Research, Anecdotal Evidence/Testimonials

Measurement and Evaluation: Patient-Reported Outcomes

Access: Available Upon Request

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Summary

This study took place at the Hershey Community Garden in Pennsylvania, which is part of a “Food as Medicine” initiative. The research aimed to assess the feasibility of a gardening intervention for adolescent and young adult cancer survivors. The project included pairing the participants with experienced gardeners, known as Master Gardeners, and provided them with both cool and warm-weather crops to cultivate. The intervention was designed to help the participants engage in regular physical activity and social interaction through gardening.

One-on-one interviews with the participants and mentors were conducted to collect qualitative data on their experiences throughout the gardening season. The researchers defined the intervention as successful if they recruited at least four cancer survivors, who then managed to plan, plant, and harvest produce, tend to their garden plots weekly, and meet with their mentors monthly. The study found that the intervention was indeed feasible, as the participants were able to successfully engage in the gardening activities and meet the defined criteria.