Progress 04/01/07 to 09/30/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Leslie Richards has been involved in studying rural poverty with the Rural Families Speak project for many years. Recently she has been conducting a Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) project, Producing for the Future, in two communities in Oregon. Producing for the Future brings together low-income youth, volunteers from the community, to partner with faith communities to construct, plant, and manage organic gardens. Once the gardens are producing, the youth take food for themselves and their families, and sell or donate the remaining produce to members of the community. The youth and adult volunteers work together with the research team to learn about garden construction and management, healthy eating, and how to prepare the foods they grow. Funding from NIH has provided stipends for the youth for two years, and supported the construction of the gardens. We are currently analyzing qualitative and quantitative data collected from youth and adult participants, including measures of physical, mental, and social health; as well as dietary records and feedback on the foods they have prepared and consumed from the gardens. A second project underway is Producing for the Future: YA-4H! which expands the youth garden-adult collaborator model to selected YA-4H! clubs in Oregon. This program targets high school 4-H groups in rural counties that serve large number of low-income youth. Using land that has been donated for a garden, participating youth build and plant the garden, harvest the produce for their families, and develop a microenterprise to sell the remainder to the community. A grant from Pacific Source will fund the construction of five more youth gardens over three years, with data being collected from the youth participants similar to the Producing for the Future project. PARTICIPANTS: Faith organizations and schools in rural areas, Master Gardener groups, Farmers' markets TARGET AUDIENCES: Rural or small communities, Youths, rural families, farmer markets, organic markets PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Investigator Chen left the project in 2011 when she transferred to a different college within OSU.
Impacts
Leslie Richards continues to address issues related to factors that contribute to food insecurity, especially among youth living in rural communities. With increased rates of obesity and lack of physical activity for children, many communities have turned to youth gardens as an intervention strategy for educating young people about environmental sciences, nutrition, and healthy behaviors. Youth in the project have developed new social capital, particularly in Sweet Home. Staff are frequently told positive stories about the youth gardeners when talking with members of the congregation or neighbors, and enthusiasm from the youth remains high. Youth involved in gardens project distribute information about the project to their local communities. Local newspapers have highlighted both garden projects. We believe that this model might prove an effective way of engaging vulnerable youth, especially in small rural communities where land may be more readily available, in partnerships with caring adults.
Publications
- Sano Y. & Richards L. (2011). Physical health, food security, and economic well-being: The rural perspective. Chapter 5 in J. W. Bauer, & E. M. Dolan, (Eds.), Rural families and work: Contexts, problems, and solutions. New York: Springer.
- Sano, Y., Richards, L., & Lee, J. (2011). Invisible barriers to employment: Mental and behavioral health problems that hinder self-sufficiency. Chapter 6 in J. W. Bauer, & E. M. Dolan, (Eds.), Rural families and work: Contexts, problems, and solutions. New York: Springer.
- Manoogian, M. M., Jurich, J., & Richards, L. N. (2010).The fragile boundaries of empowerment and exploitation: Reflections on our research journeys as feminist participatory researchers. In (L. Harter, J. Hamel-Lambert, & J. Millesen (Eds.), Participatory Partnerships for Social Action and Research. Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt.
- Mammen, S. Bauer, J.W., & Richards, L. (2009). Understanding persistent food insecurity: A paradox of place and circumstance. Social Indicators Research, 92, 151-168.
- Sano, Y., Dolan, E. M., Richards, L., Bauer, J., & Braun, B. (2008). Employment patterns, family resources, and perception: Examining depressive symptoms among rural low-income mothers. Journal of Rural Community Psychology, E11(1).
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Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Among lower income rural families, a job market characterized by a dramatic loss of living wage jobs compounds the task of managing increasing and often-volatile energy costs. High-energy costs mean low-income rural households face daily decisions about whether to keep the heat on or to eat. EmPower, a pilot program, attempts a fresh approach to solving the problem of high-energy costs unique to rural residents by assuming that change happens best through holistic approaches. In addition to what energy assistance programs have traditionally provided to low income households, EmPower enhances rural services by adding a case management component to help with resource coordination, support self-sufficiency skills development, and expand community support networks aimed at alleviating the need for crisis assistance specific to rural residents over the long term. More specifically, we are exploring issues related to sustainability including: 1) how EmPower fits with mainstream energy/anti-poverty programs, 2) how ORCCA and other statewide agencies can strategize to maintain sustainability in the face of fluctuating funding levels, and 3) how ORCCA and other agencies might make their programs nimble enough to deal with rapidly changing energy, demographic landscapes. We have completed an intensive study of a small sample of households (n=14) enrolled in EmPower in Coos and Curry Counties. This intensive study spanned a full 9 months and included a series of interviews that allowed us to document background information, patterns of daily life, perceptions of EmPower experiences, and expectations for the future for each household. We have also completed interviews with program staff and with partner agencies. We will soon complete data collection on the comparison study. These data support the following specific aims: 1) Associations between program services and improved household self-sufficiency; 2) Specific factors that shape how households experience the program; and 3) Program delivery in remote rural locations. The project has resulted in an additional $30,000 in contract funding through the Oregon Housing and Community Services, two conference presentations at the Annual meeting of the Rural Sociological Society, and a doctoral dissertation. PARTICIPANTS: We have collaborated with the following programs and organizations: Oregon State University Rural Studies Program Oregon Housing and Community Services Oregon Coast Community Action Agency Community Services Consortium. TARGET AUDIENCES: Rural communities Social programs and agencies PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The pilot program attempted a fresh approach to solving the problem of high energy costs by assuming that change happens best through a holistic approach. The pilot program targeted additional resources to rural low income families that went beyond home energy use and energy bill reduction and more comprehensively addressed needs through energy education, budget counseling, case management, expedited weatherization and referrals. A unique feature of the pilot program was that it sent case managers to the homes of clients where together they designed and prioritized personal goals aimed to reduce the household's home energy cost burden and increase long-term home energy self-sufficiency by moving families out of crisis and into stability in multiple life domains related to food, housing, education, and employment. The expectation was that all households who received services through pilot program would exit with a sustainable home energy plan, but also be more self-sufficient because of progress made in multiple life domains. Implementing the pilot program was difficult against multiple constraints. In general, we identified challenges having to do with organizational constraints within the community action agency and contextual constraints that arise in rural communities. There were program limitations exacerbated by living in a community where the economy has been hard hit. These include low-quality and aging housing stock that doesn't qualify for weatherization, limited services like child care and transportation in more remote locations, difficulty having enough money to manage when there is not enough money to pay for basic needs and few opportunities for increasing income with the shrinking local economy. There were also organizational constraints that made program implementation challenging. Fluctuating funding, high staff turn-over, organizational restructuring and struggles to find skilled labor made it challenging to implement the pilot program as expected. While the model proved to be difficult to implement for the all the reasons above, our study identified some promising elements of the model. The relationship between participants and the case manager was meaningful in particular for those who had no other support network to turn to. Teaming case managers from energy assistance and housing - Pilot Program participants ended up with housing assistance and in better housing due to program intervention.
Publications
- Oregon State Conducts Research on Poplar Fibers. Textile Insight magazine March/April, 2010, V. 6, No.2.
- Chen, H.L. and Cluver, B. (2010). Assessment of poplar seed hair fibers as a potential bulk textile thermal insulation material. Clothing and Textile Research Journal, 28(4), 255-262.
- Chen, H.L. and Cluver, B. (2010). Microbiological resistance characteristics of naturally colored cottons. Textile Research Journal, 80(20), 2188-2194.
- Sano, Y. & Richards, L. (2011 in press). Physical health, food security, and economic well-being: The rural perspective. Chapter 5 in J. W. Bauer, & E. M. Dolan, (Eds.), Rural families and work: Contexts, problems, and solutions. New York: Springer.
- Sano, Y., Richards, L., & Lee, J. (2011 in press). Invisible barriers to employment: Mental and behavioral health problems that hinder self-sufficiency. Chapter 6 in J. W. Bauer, & E. M. Dolan, (Eds.), Rural families and work: Contexts, problems, and solutions. New York: Springer.
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Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Richards received NIH funding (R21- 10562514) in 2010 to bring together low-income youth transitioning to adulthood, members of faith-based communities in two Oregon towns, and university researchers, in a project designed to: a) provide training, employment, and improve health outcomes for vulnerable youth, b) offer opportunities for adults from faith-based congregations to address issues of social injustice, and, c) build community partnerships leading to a sustainable youth garden entrepreneurship program. Youth gardens may improve knowledge of nutritional practices, and enhance consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, although little research has been done. Less is known about the impact of engaging older high-risk adolescents and young adults in garden programs designed to increase access to healthier foods and opportunities to obtain job skills and business experience. A well-documented assessment of these efforts will lead to the development of a model for systematically evaluating and disseminating information about youth garden/faith-based collaborations. Using a CBPR design, this project will increase access to locally grown organic foods, and promote physical activity while providing training and education for youth at risk. The project took advantage of existing faith-based garden space and interfaith outreach collaborations to provide opportunities for vulnerable youth. Low-income youth (age 16-25) have partnered with adult volunteers in Sweet Home and Corvallis to build organic gardens. Gardens were planted and produce is being harvested and marketed locally. Youth are paid a summer research incentive and participation in the project for two years is encouraged. Youth and adults have jointly collaborated in developing the Community Based Research aspect of the study. Baseline data have been collected, and short interviews evaluating initial perceptions about the project are completed. The progress of each garden is being documented in photos, fieldnotes, individual journals, and garden artwork. To date we have collected baseline measurements of physical and mental health including BMI, CES-D Depression Measure, Self-Esteem Index, the Positive Youth Development Index, 3-Day Physical Activity Record, 3-Day Food Diary. A second wave of data will be collected near the end of the summer allowing for short-term longitudinal comparisons. Most youth plan to continue their participation in 2012. In Year-2 of the project, youth, mentors, and project personnel from both communities will jointly design and carry out an activity intended to present findings and encourage development of faith community/youth garden collaborations in other areas of the state. PARTICIPANTS: Collaborators include: Sweet Home United Methodist Church, Sweet Home, OR Westside Community Church, Corvallis OR TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audience: Low-income high school youth and young adults Adults volunteers with an interest in gardening and working with youth Faith communities interested in starting community/youth gardens PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Work by Leslie Richards continues to address issues related to factors that contribute to food insecurity and low levels of physical activity, especially among youth living in rural communities With increased rates of obesity and lack of physical activity for children, many communities have turned to youth gardens as an intervention strategy for educating young people about environmental sciences, nutrition, and healthy behaviors. There is evidence that some of the youth in the NIH project are developing new social capital, particularly in Sweet Home. One youth is now volunteering to provide childcare for a parenting support group at the Methodist Church that hosts the garden, and another young woman has been hired by a church member to water his garden. Frequently staff are told positive stories about the youth gardeners when talking with members of the congregation or neighbors, and enthusiasm from the youth remains high. Youth regularly attend the free Manna dinner at the church in Sweet Home after they have finished gardening, and they plan to begin volunteering to help to prepare and serve the Manna meal. Youth in both gardens are currently developing outreach plans to distribute information about the project to their local communities. The Corvallis gardeners are planning a fall harvest party targeting low-income members of the community to offer them the opportunity to purchase organically grown produce for significantly reduced prices. Local newspapers have highlighted both garden projects. We believe that this model might prove an effective way of engaging vulnerable youth, especially in small rural communities where land may be more readily available, in partnerships with caring adults.
Publications
- Manoogian, M. M., Jurich, J., & Richards, L. N. (2010).The fragile boundaries of empowerment and exploitation: Reflections on our research journeys as feminist participatory researchers. In (L. Harter, J. Hamel-Lambert, & J. Millesen (Eds.), Participatory Partnerships for Social Action and Research. Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt.
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Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Activites include surveys, interviews, quantitative analysis, particularly mixed methods approaches. Information was disseminated through conference presentations, peer reviewed publications, graduate student training. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Lenna Ontai, Human and Community Development, Extension Specialist, UC-Davis, Dr. Karen Varcoe, Extension Specialist, UC-Riverside, Dr. Lorena Yancura, Family and Consumer Science, U of Hawaii at Manoa, Dr. Ramona Faith Oswald, Department of Human & Community Development, U of Illinois, Dr. Kimberly Greeder, Human Development & Family Studies, Extension Specialist, Iowa State, Dr. Christine Cook, Human Development & Family Studies, Iowa State, Dr. Patricia Hyjer Dyk, Community & Leadership Development, U of Kentucky, Dr. Fran Lawrence, School of Human Ecology, Louisiana State University, Dr. Bonnie Braun, Department of Family Science, Extension Specialist. U of Maryland, Dr. Sheila Mammen, Department of Resource Economics, U of Massachusetts, Amherst, Dr. Jean Bauer, Family Social Science, Extension Specialist, U of Minnesota, Dr. Susan Churchill, Child, Youth and Family Studies, U of Nebraska, Dr. Catherine Huddelston-Casas, Child, Youth and Family Studies, U of Nebraska, Dr. Elizabeth Dolan, Family Studies, U of New Hampshire, Dr. Suzanne Knight, Family Resource Management, Extension Specialist, U of New Hampshire, Dr. Pamela DiNapoli, Nursing, U of New Hampshire, Dr. Michael Camasso, Department of Agricultural, Food & Resource Economics, Rutgers U, Dr. Carolyn Bird, Family and Resource Management, Extension Specialist, North Carolina State, Dr. Leigh Ann Simmons, Internal Medicine, Duke U School of Medicine, Dr. Sharon Seiling, Department of Consumer Sciences, U of Ohio, Dr. Margaret Manoogian, School of Human & Consumer Sciences, Ohio University, Dr. Sally Gillman, Human Development & Family Sciences, South Dakota State U, Dr. Ann Berry, University of Tennessee, Dr. Yoshie Sano, Department of Human Development, Washington State U, Vancouver, Dr. Suzanne Smith, Department of Human Development, Washington State U, Vancouver, Dr. Kari Morgan, Family and Consumer Sciences, U of Wyoming TARGET AUDIENCES: Poverty researchers, rural studies experts, state and federal policymakers, Cooperative Extension Service, general public. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The PIs sought to learn how social support and other factors shape parent confidence among rural low-income Mexican immigrant mothers living in newly settled areas as compared to more established destinations. Research was done using a mixed methods approach to examine the relationships between parenting support and community context and the mother's feelings of confidence in her own parenting. Quantitative analyses revealed that parenting support was more strongly related to parent confidence for mothers living in newly settled, rather than established destinations. Qualitative analysis of targeted subsamples both supported quantitative findings and demonstrated that assimilation, transnational motherhood (having children both in the US and in Mexico), childhood risk (e.g. poverty, deprivation and harsh parenting practices), and source of social support were also relevant factors. With respect to food access, a mixed methods analysis of longitudinal data revealed that low-income families living in states with persistently high rates of food insecurity did not have lower median incomes or life satisfaction, but they did experience higher material hardship and greater housing costs than did families in food secure states. Families in food insecure states used high-risk consumption reduction strategies to cope with their food insecurity, whereas families in food secure states employed more positive use of their human capital.
Publications
- Mammen, S. Bauer, J.W., & Richards, L. 2009. Understanding persistent food insecurity: A paradox of place and circumstance. Social Indicators Research, 92, 151-168.
- Sano, Y., Dolan, E. M., Richards, L., Bauer, J., & Braun, B. 2009. Employment patterns, family resources, and perception: Examining depressive symptoms among rural low-income mothers. Journal of Rural Community Psychology. E11(1).
- Sano, Y., Richards, L.N., & Zvonkovic, A.M. 2008. Are mothers really "gatekeepers" of children Rural mothers perception of nonresidential father's involvement in low-income families.
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Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Work on this program has focused on the impact of intergenerational resource transfers on family and maternal well being; differing access to resources of Hispanic and non-Hispanic families; child care arrangements for preadolescent children; and, contributions of non-custodial fathers and the well-being of single mother families. Results have been disseminated through presentations. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Rural populations face on-going challenges of health and well-being. Results from this study have been used to shape further research with a local food security agency linking community food security, obesity and access to physical activity for low-income children in a local area. The principal investigator served as an evaluation consultant on two USDA Community Food Security projects as a result of her work. The first project helped to support the development of community gardens designed to increase physical activity and support healthy eating patterns of low-income children. The second project has worked to link faith-based congregations with low-income and immigrant farmers in Corvallis and Portland.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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