RE: Youth Gardening Research and Evaluation

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Dear Colleagues,

 

I am a Social Work professor at the University of Utah.  I am interested in conducting research and evaluation on Community Gardening programs with youth, especially youth who have been involved in Juvenile Justice systems.

 

I plan to approach my local Community Garden program to conduct a study.  I am interested in finding out about other Community Garden programs around the country have been working with youth in collaboration with Social Service or Juvenile Justice agencies.  If your Community Garden is involved in this sort of activity please let me know via my e-mail address or telephone number at the bottom of this message.

 

Even though I have a research interest, I am also eager about locating descriptions of these types of programs.  I have enjoyed engaging troubled youth in Community Gardening before.  I believe that it is an effective way to help youth find their center, and thus be able to participate in their communities in more rewarding ways.

 

In return for information I am willing to provide guidance and technical assistance on program evaluation.

 

I look forward to learning more about what Community Gardeners across the country are doing with youth.

 

Yours truly,

Ed Byrnes

 

Ed Byrnes, Ph.D., ABD
Research Assistant Professor
Social Research Institute
Graduate School of Social Work
University of Utah
395 South 1500 East, Room 126
Salt Lake City, Utah 84105
Phone: (801) 581-4459
Fax: (801) 585-3219
E-mail: e*@socwk.utah.edu