Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


47995.pdf (2.23 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Homegrown: Design and Development of a Technology Solution for Farm Management in an Emergent Local Food Network

Hariharan, Sai Meenakshi
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1712917288321554

Abstract Details

2024, MS, University of Cincinnati, Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services: Information Technology.
In today's increasingly urbanized world, the intersection of technology and agriculture presents opportunities to design innovative solutions to address food insecurity and promote community wellness. Within this context, urban farming emerges as a promising avenue, particularly for marginalized communities seeking to reclaim control over their food systems and to foster sustainability. This study lies at the intersection the technology, urban farming, and wellness. Through this study, we aim to co-design a technology solution with Black urban farmers in Cincinnati to meet the nutritional needs of Black pregnant individuals in the area. First, we conducted needs assessment activities with the farmers to identify key pain points. Then, we designed and developed a technology solution - Homegrown Dashboards. These interactive dashboards, with a web front-end, enables farmers to track crops and land usage, manage events and contracts, and share crops based on demand and supply within the network. Multiple iterations, from paper prototyping to implementation of the dashboards, we incorporated feedback from farmers to ensure usability and user experience. The interactive dashboards promote collaboration, streamline operations, and enhance efficiency, contributing to improved sustainability and resilience within the local food network. This study demonstrates a novel approach of co-designing technology solution with Black urban farmers to address their specific needs and challenges, highlighting the importance of participatory approaches in technology development for social impact.
Annu Prabhakar, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Lauren Forbes, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Saheed Popoola, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
81 p.
Information Technology

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Hariharan, S. M. (2024). Homegrown: Design and Development of a Technology Solution for Farm Management in an Emergent Local Food Network [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1712917288321554

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Hariharan, Sai Meenakshi. Homegrown: Design and Development of a Technology Solution for Farm Management in an Emergent Local Food Network. 2024. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1712917288321554.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Hariharan, Sai Meenakshi. "Homegrown: Design and Development of a Technology Solution for Farm Management in an Emergent Local Food Network." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2024. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1712917288321554

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1712917288321554
56
© 2024, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.