Progress 05/01/09 to 04/30/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Progress is being made on accomplishing the majority of the goals and objectives proposed for Creciendo Sano/Growing Healthy. Goals included: 1 - Increase food security of low-income residents, and 2 - Provide local employment and ensure sustainability of the project. Although the grant start date for the Community Food Grant awarded to Chiricahua Community Health Centers, Inc. was May 1st, 2009, funding was not received until September 2009. Consequently, projects planned for the summer 2009 were postponed until the spring 2010 planting season. The following activities have taken place: Vertical grow towers for backyard gardens: In March, 2010, the outreach staff (2 women) began to speak to residents about the project and distribute applications for the backyard gardens for 50 low-income families called for in the grant. The vertical grow towers are 3 levels high and constructed of redwood. To facilitate completion, inmates from a federal prison completed the majority of towers. By April 30, 2010, 13 families in Elfrida, McNeal and Douglas had received towers. Transportation for low income participants is provided for educational events in the garden, to allow residents to tend their own gardens in the Elfrida Community garden, and to attend the Farmers Markets. Student Interns: Eight FFA students from the high school began working in the garden in March, 2010. The interns have been involved in all phases of gardening - constructing covered rows, planting, weeding, harvesting produce and selling at the Farmers Market. This practical learning experience has been invaluable for the youth, particularly in a rural area with extremely limited employment opportunities. Two low-income assistant gardeners were hired through the grant to help with vegetable production and sales in the farmers markets. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA): Inquiries into interest for a CSA program were made initially with the Chiricahua Community Health Centers, Inc., Board of Directors, and a number of Board members expressed interest in purchasing vegetables. The plan is to open this to the general community in the summer, 2010, when the heavy harvest begins. Educational demonstration events An organic method gardening workshop was held in October, 2009 at the Chiricahua Community Health Centers, Inc. c:ommunity garden in Elfrida. Presentations included tree planting, organic pest management, worm farming and construction of covered rows. Addition of 2 greenhouses: Building was completed on two greenhouses for the Elfrida Community Garden to allow for year round gardening. Electricity was extended to the greenhouses to allow for warm air extractors, and propane units will heat greenhouses during the winter. One greenhouse has been planted with tomatoes and summer squash, and harvest of these crops will precede those planted outdoors. Educational DVD: The fall education demonstrations mentioned above were videotaped and will be used as a portion of an instructional video that will be disseminated to backyard gardeners in the two communities being served. Additional filming needs to be completed for the project by midsummer, 2010. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals working on the project: Principal investigator, Anita Wood, Ph.D., oversees the project and assures fidelity to project goals and objectives. Dr. Wood is an applied anthropologist who has more than 30 years experience working with border populations. Louise Warrick, DPH. Lead evaluator responsible for training of interviewers, design of survey instruments, and analyzing outcomes. Anthony J. Alberta, Ph.D., was lead evaluator until February, 2010 when he left the project. Jennifer Ryan, Ph.D., is CEO of Chiricahua Community Health Clinic. Professional training: An organic method gardening workshop was held in October, 2009 at the Chiricahua Community Health Centers, Inc. community garden in Elfrida. Presentations included tree planting, organic pest management, worm farming and construction of covered rows. Additional educational events are scheduled for the future. FFA student interns at the high school have been involved in all phases of gardening - constructing covered rows, planting, weeding, harvesting produce and selling at the Farmers Market. As mentioned above, as possible, students have accompanied the garden coordinator to install vertical grow towers in the backyards of low-income families in the community. This practical learning experience has been invaluable for the youth, particularly in a rural area with extremely limited employment opportunities. Educational DVD: The fall education demonstrations mentioned above were videotaped and will be used as a portion of an instructional video that will be disseminated to backyard gardeners in the two communities being served. Additional filming needs to be completed for the project by midsummer, 2010. There are no partner organizations working with Chiricahua Community Health Centers on this grant. TARGET AUDIENCES: The proposed project increases the availability of nutritious organic food for low-income individuals and families in the Sulphur Springs Valley and Douglas areas of Southeastern Arizona. It targets two communities in Southeastern Arizona, Elfrida and Douglas. Elfrida, population 5,229, an entirely rural (U.S. Census 2000) and unincorporated community located in Cochise County at the southern end of the Sulphur Springs Valley (Arizona census tract 5), is the site of a four acre organic garden project on land owned by the Chiricahua Community Health Center, Inc. (CCHCI). Roughly 30% of households in Elfrida are living below the federal poverty level. Extending to the north beyond Elfrida and including the entire census tract 5, 53% are living in poverty. 30% of the population is Hispanic. Douglas is located on the U.S. Mexican border and is 86% Hispanic. 62% of the population lives 200% below the federal poverty level. Educational events held in the Elfrida Community garden, adjacent to the Elfrida Health Center teach organic gardening methods to participants. Gardeners also visit homes and provide one-on-one instruction in planting, soil composition, and harvesting. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Outcome evaluation The outcome evaluations will emphasize assessment of the program objectives and will answer the following questions: a. What are the results of the USDA's Food Security Core Module Questionnaire As the lead evaluator left the project in February, and a request for a new evaluator was made but not approved by USDA before April 30th, there was no baseline survey data available by May 1. A survey instrument was designed and will be administered along with the Food Security Core Module Questionnaire to families receiving the towers. b. Are 100 grow towers distributed to 50 persons Process evaluations have revealed that by May 1, 2010, 13 families or individuals have each received 2 grow towers installed in their backyards. Early responses have been positive. From comments of some families that received towers, and after preliminary inspection of soil in the towers, it was discovered that for some, at least, the soil placed in the towers became too hard after watering. To recify this, garden staff delivered compost and manure and worked it into the soil, realizing that not everyone receiving towers was able to afford to purchase compost or recognized poor soil. In spite of the hard soil received by some families, a number had wonderful gardens growing. Gardening is a family event, and grandchildren often help with planting of the towers. Changes in knowledge, actions, or conditions: To those new to gardening, the response to previous educational presentations, and the gardener's instructions was positive. For example, one young family with 2 small children had no gardening experience of their own. The mother had purchased a bottle of a poisonous insecticide and commercial plant food. After gardening education on organic methods, on a return visit she showed us a bottle of bug spray she had made from chili and garlic, and as we were leaving gave us a bottle of salsa she had made from the leftover chili spray. A number of other families also mentioned how they thought the towers would help them to be able to eat more vegetables. Of the 13 families interviewed, in 9 either the husband or wife or both had diabetes (70% of total families), and an additional person was diagnosed as borderline diabetic. These families were aware of the importance of eating properly to control their disease. Preliminary results reveal that some participants are hopeful that what they are growing will ease financial problems. Several families mentioned that they try hard to eat organically grown produce, but price and availability make it difficult. In summary, outreach efforts are effective at recruiting low income and/or disabled community members to install food towers, and the installation of the towers has begun. Greenhouses are installed, and transportation is provided to the Elfrida Community garden for educational events. Overall, the project is developing on schedule with progress in our goals to increase food security of low-income community members, to provide local employment, to ensure the project is sustainable.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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