Lockdown Greens and Game: NY's Shift
October 2023
Cornell University

Introduction
During the COVID-19 lockdown, New Yorkers turned their backyards into mini-farms, embracing gardening, hunting, and even sourdough baking like never before! A Cornell University study reveals nearly half of the state's residents amped up their time outdoors, producing and munching on their own food. This wasn't just a hobby but a quest for food security and a healthier plate amidst the pandemic's grocery shortages. Dive into this fascinating exploration of how a crisis turned many into accidental farmers and foragers!
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Cultivating Curiosity and Resilience
In a world where the unexpected can become the new normal overnight, the COVID-19 pandemic unearthed a fascinating trend: a surge in gardening, hunting, and other self-sustenance activities among residents of New York State. This shift not only reflects a collective response to global crises but also highlights the deep interconnections between our health, environment, and the food systems that sustain us. Imagine being part of a movement that brings food from your backyard directly to your table, offering not just a plate of nourishment but a buffet of skills, community, and independence. This story isn't just about planting seeds or casting fishing lines; it's about planting ideas and casting nets wide into the future, where understanding and engaging with our environment could be key to thriving in a world full of challenges.
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Pandemic
A global outbreak of a disease.

Ecosystem health
The study of the interconnections between the health of the environment, animals, and humans.

Food insecurity
The state of being without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.

Foraging
The act of searching for and exploiting food resources in the wild.

Sustainability
The ability to maintain or improve certain processes or states indefinitely.

Buffering effects
In this context, actions or activities that lessen the negative impacts of a situation, like poor diet during a pandemic.
Independent Research Ideas

The role of urban gardening in enhancing food security
Investigate how small-scale gardening projects in urban areas can contribute to food availability and reduce food insecurity. This could reveal the potential of urban spaces in addressing global food challenges.

Mental health benefits of connecting with nature through foraging and hunting
Explore how engaging in activities like foraging and hunting can improve mental well-being, reduce stress, and enhance a sense of community.

Sustainability and self-sustenance
Examine the sustainability of relying on wild and backyard food sources. This could involve assessing the environmental impacts of foraging and hunting, and how they compare to conventional food systems.

Cultural and social impacts of shared food knowledge
Delve into how the sharing of food and knowledge within communities strengthens social bonds and cultural heritage. This could highlight the importance of traditional knowledge in modern food systems.

Climate change and local food systems
Investigate how local food production (like gardening and poultry rearing) might be affected by climate change, and how these systems can adapt to ensure food security in the face of environmental challenges.
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