An evaluation of urban youth gardening program participants' dietary behaviors, agricultural knowledge, and leadership skills: a case study

This is a case study that intends to describe and summarize the dietary behaviors, agricultural knowledge, and leadership skills of all youth who participated in Roots & Wings urban youth gardening program in Rockford, Illinois in 2009, 2010, and 2011. Upon completing the program, the participants were given surveys to reflect on their knowledge and behaviors in these areas. There were 38 surveys analyzed for 2009, 14 surveys analyzed for 2010, and 12 surveys analyzed for 2011. The summary of the survey results show that after having worked in a garden, 75% of youth participants perceive themselves as having more positive dietary behaviors, 87% of students perceive themselves as having an increased knowledge of agriculture, and 91% perceive themselves as having an increased possession of leadership skills. Many youth could list ways that they were healthier, new agricultural skills they have, and things that they could do on their own. This study indicates that further research can be done to explore correlations and cause and effect relationships among urban youth gardening programs, dietary behaviors, agricultural knowledge, and leadership skills