This study explores, describes, and empirically tests for the
presence or absence of positive correlations betweenparticipation in civic agriculture and broader community
involvement. Lyson and others make the case that civic
agriculture fosters a greater sense of community and
strengthens bonds between people. As such, compared with
the general population, we should expect to see higher rates
of community participation among people involved in civic
agriculture. These individuals are expected to be more
politically engaged; to be more likely to write letters to the
editor of local papers or to legislators, to more closely
follow local affairs, and to otherwise be more engaged as
citizens. It is also expected that these individuals will be
more engaged with general civic activities; that they will
be more likely to volunteer, and have a more positive
assessment and feel a greater sense of efficacy about
bringing change to their communities. All of this should
stem from, or at least be reinforced by, the kinds of
opportunities created and bonds formed via civic agriculture. While some have argued for a broader conception of
both civic agriculture and civic engagement, one that
incorporates more abstract notions of ‘‘place-making,’’
these typically require in-depth qualitative analysis (DeLind and Bingen 2008). In this study we opt for traditional
quantitative measures of community engagement, such as
letter writing and volunteerism. More analysis of matters
such as identity and sense of place are needed, although we
hold that the measurable behaviors and attitudes used here
would be highly correlated with any more abstract sense of
place used in reference to civic agriculture. Actions, such
as volunteering or writing letters, or beliefs, like a sense of
efficacy in local affairs, can be manifestations of individuals’ deeper sense of belonging and connection to a
community.