Abstract Type: Presentation as part of an organized session
Abstract TitleFactors shaping risk perception and management of soil contamination: A case study of urban agriculture in Indiana
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Abstract
Like in many urban areas of the USA, urban agriculture is increasingly prevalent in the metropolitan areas of Indiana, a midwestern state known for its corn and soybean production. Generally, urban farmers are committed to sustainable agriculture, which means growing diverse crops to feed their families and communities and using environmentally friendly agricultural practices. However, urban farmers face many challenges such as the potential risk of exposure to soil contaminants due to legacy and ongoing pollution. This study uses a mixed-methods approach to examine how urban farmers in Indiana perceive the risk of exposure to soil contaminants, their interest in soil testing as an initial step to manage soil health, their current soil management practices, and their needs and concerns. We conducted semi-structured interviews with urban farmers in five Indiana metropolitan areas, followed by a statewide survey. We found that urban farmers did perceive the risk of soil contaminants, particularly of heavy metals from nearby industrial development. Some have relied on over-application of composts to their soils and raised beds to mitigate risk. However, there has been limited soil testing. In general, urban farmers shared a sense of reluctance to conduct soil testing due to negative past experiences, fear of potential ramifications from problematic results, and most importantly, lack of trust or even distrust. These results can inform strategies for promoting soil health management among urban farmers. These results also shed light on opportunities for adopting a one-health approach to improve both human and environmental wellbeing in urban areas.
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(2) Culture, collaboration and contest ----------
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Presenter Information
First Name Nathan |
Last Name Shoaf |
Affiliation Purdue University |
Author(s) Information
Author | First Name | Last Name | Affiliation |
1 | Nathan | Shoaf | Purdue University |
2 | Zhao | Ma | Purdue University |