Creating a Culture of Transformation in Guatemala: One Fruit Tree at a Time

Abstract

IntroductionThe overall positive effects and qualities of service activities (CSW) involving gardens and urban forestry have recently received considerable attention given the increased popularity of volunteerism and stewardship programs throughout the United States (Okvat & Zautra, 2011; Schrieber, 1998; Stein, 2008). Community gardening initially developed as a practical approach to supplementing food supplies during times of war and natural disasters such as floods and hurricanes. Gardens became very popular during the 1930-1940 era and reflected the strong patriotic ideology and sacrifices that civilians were willing to make in order to support troops that were fighting abroad. The United States Department of Agriculture estimated that during WWII over 20 million gardens helped produce 10 million tons of fresh vegetables (Reinhart, 2016).More importantly, the psychological impact of neighborhoods cooperating towards a mutually beneficial cause, such as large-scale food production helped establish solidarity, development and capital. Victory gardens not only provided healthier foods to members but were also providing opportunities for individuals to engage, collaborate and understand each other. A contributing factor to the development and etiology of what is now referred to as social capital can be traced to the historical development of gardening activities (i.e., victory gardens) as they provided opportunities for individuals to share ideas, socialize and work collaboratively as a way to help each other. Robert Putnam (2000) argues that one contributing factor to the deterioration of the concept community is the lack of interpersonal (i.e., face-to-face) opportunities for members to work together as a means of improving and empowering their neighborhoods. This phenomenon (in part) may also be attributed to the popular perception of the disconnection between users of media and participation in traditional service activities and civic engagement programs (Mihailidis, 2014).More recently research has shown that and memorial gardens not only provide healthier and more nutritious foods to members but can also have similar positive psychological benefits to those participating in the development and maintenance of gardening activities, urban forests and fruit tree orchards (Tidball, Krasny, Svendsen, Campbell & Helphand, 2010; Hoffman, 2015). Memorial gardens and fruit tree orchards that have been created in the wake of a national disaster can provide family and members with a public healing green environment that has been dedicated to the memories of victims of different types of tragedies and trauma (Helphand, 2006). Green civic ecology programs and gardening activities can also provide important environmentally-related educational experiences for members. Community gardens teach individuals the importance of environmentally responsible practices (i.e., recycling and sustainability programs) and can also provide healthy foods for low-income and underrepresented populations who are frequently deprived of these resources (Walter, 2013).Community gardens have not only helped provide healthier foods for low income families, they have also been shown to be highly instrumental in facilitating interethnic communication and understanding of concepts relative to multiculturalism (Shan & Walter, 2015). When ethnically diverse individuals are provided with opportunities to collaborate and work towards superordinate goals in gardens (healthy vegetables and fruits), negative ethnic stereotypes are debunked and therapeutic landscapes tend to flourish (Shinew, Glover, & Parry, 2004). More recently specific disciplines within the general field of psychology (i.e., environmental psychology) have provided important opportunities for research addressing the topics of sustainability and both mental and physical health (Pelletier, Lavergne, & Sharp, 2008). …