Understanding Urban Food Producers’ Intention to Continue Farming in Urban Settings
2019
Kumudu P.P. Kopiyawattage | Laura Warner | T. Grady Roberts
Urban food producers play an important role in food systems around the world. Understanding the factors that may influence producers’ intention to produce food is important to predict their behavior. The purpose of this study was to examine one city in the United States and describe factors that may influence the intention of urban food producers to continue farming in urban settings, and specifically identify factors that influence attitude, perceived behavioral control, and subjective norms toward urban food production. The study followed a qualitative design using semi-structured interviews. The results revealed factors that can both positively and negatively influence Columbus urban food producers’ intention to continue farming in urban settings. Perceived complexity can negatively influence attitude and hinder food producers’ intention to continue urban food production while subjective norms, influenced by peer growers and family members, may heighten intention to continue urban food production. The findings also revealed personal characteristics, such as education and access to resources, that may enhance perceived behavioral control. The findings can be used by various regions of the world to develop urban food production. Implications expose opportunities for urban food producers, extension, institutions, and future researchers to address existing complexities, develop educational programs, and enhance social ties to provide support for farming in urban settings.
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