Growing Democracy: Gardens as Sites of Resistance, Resilience, and Community Policy Alternatives Amidst Political Crisis

• In Event: Environmental Sociology Section Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Table 16: Culture, Identity, and Environmental Meaning

Abstract

In times of political crisis and government inaction, how and where do communities come together to meet their needs? In response to the inability or unwillingness of government to meet community needs, scholars, activists, and community leaders have increasingly turned towards community-based solutions, alternative economic arrangements, and mutual aid to survive and thrive. This interdisciplinary project brings together insights from political sociology, urban planning, and political philosophy to contribute to this conversation, putting community gardens front and center as spaces of local democracy, civic culture, and grassroots efforts to solve pressing issues. We show how gardens are spaces for connecting across cultures, exchanging resources, and strengthening social ties for New Americans and long-time residents, as growers share seeds, pest management strategies, and stories. Gardens serve as a public green space and safe food source amidst a backdrop of food apartheid and a deep local history of environmental racism that left toxic soil and waterways. Like all community spaces, they are also places of contention, where neighbors must work together to resolve conflict and create their own pathways to justice. To do so, our research team is collaborating with one hub of urban agriculture in the city, which oversees over 100 community garden plots, all established and led by community members. This analysis will be based on interviews, participant observation, and archival data collected over the span of 9 months.

Authors

• Sadie M. Dempsey, University at Buffalo

• Micaela F. Lipman, University at Buffalo