Community-Based Food Garden Management through Nular, Harvest-Sharing, and Organic Skill Development: Evidence from Rural Indonesia

As Generation Z (Gen Z) becomes an increasingly influential consumer segment, This study aims to describe the sociocultural characteristics of the community and social practices in the management of food gardens in the community surrounding Aimi Homestead, Susukan Village. The study employs a qualitative approach using the case study method, with data collected through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) involving 13 participants. The results indicate that the community possesses organic farming and livestock-raising skills acquired through experience and the intergenerational transmission of knowledge. Additionally, harvest-sharing serves as a form of social solidarity, while the local practice of “nular” reflects a process of social learning, whereby community members observe and adopt successful backyard gardening practices demonstrated by other. The study also identified three patterns of participatory communication within families: a structured pattern characterized by dialogue and a shared vision; a unilateral pattern that places management responsibility on a single individual; and a constrained pattern influenced by low engagement among the younger generation. In this regard, Aimi Homestead acts as a change agent by using social media, practical demonstrations, and role modeling to promote learning and the uptake of food garden management techniques. The study’s findings indicate that the sustainability of family food security is determined not only by the availability of physical resources but also by participatory communication within the family and the social capital that develops at the community level. These findings contribute to literature on community-based food security by demonstrating how social learning and local wisdom strengthen community participation, while offering practical insights for designing contextually appropriate community empowerment programs.