Developing a local definition of urban agriculture: context and implications for a rural state

• Published in: The journal of agricultural education and extension 2020-08, Vol.26 (4), p.351-364
• Main Authors: Dobbins, C. E., Cox, C. K., Edgar, L. D., Graham, D. L., Philyaw Perez, A. G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural Education; Agricultural Occupations; Agriculture; Context; Cooperative Extension Service; Definitions; Extension Agents; Extension Education; Farming; Food; Food processing; local food; Local food systems; Rural areas; Rural Extension; Sustainable agriculture; Technical Assistance; Urban agriculture; Urban Areas; Urban farming
• ISSN: 1389-224X; 1750-8622
• DOI: 10.1080/1389224X.2020.1726779

Purpose : Understanding the context of urban agriculture in a rural state is critical for the success of and collaboration between local food actors and other organizations, such as the Cooperative Extension Service. This study aimed to determine a local definition of urban agriculture for Arkansas and investigated the context of urban agriculture in Arkansas. Design/methodology : This study implemented snowball sampling for 16 qualitative interviews. Findings : The Arkansas-specific definition evolved to small-scale, fewer than 10 acres, diversified, and sustainable farming within city limits that engages with the market, the community, or both. A concept that emerged from the data was a hesitation by participants to be defined only by the term 'urban farmer' rather than by other terms such as 'producer' or 'market gardener'. Theoretical implications : The Agro-Ecological Educator Theory provides three concepts (love, dialogical communication, and praxis) that guided the interview process with local food actors, this study expands current research into local food by determining a local definition of urban agriculture to help frame the scope of future Extension programming. Practical implications : Extension personnel are encouraged to investigate the context of urban agriculture and local food systems in their states to frame the types of resources and technical assistance needed by these communities. Originality/value : This paper demonstrates the importance of understanding state-specific contexts for urban agriculture and revealed new insights about urban farming in rural states.