Agrilife Extension

Celebrate Your Local Parks and Places!

September 20, 2023 by Kailey

By: Valeria Jauregui

How many active parks and places do you think there are in Rio Grande City? Did you know there are at least 17? Did you know the city of Roma has at least three? Parks, schools, plazas and paths can provide most people with a place to be active and spend time with family and friends.

Many people do not know about all the parks in their communities—even in smaller communities. According to Jamie Rae Walker, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension associate professor and urban and municipal park specialist, research says lack of knowledge is one of the barriers people report for why they don’t visit their local parks and active places.

Roma, Rio Grande City, and the city of Eagle Pass are working with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension’s Working on Wellness Environments (WOW-E) program to tie into the CDC’s Active People Healthy Nation (APHN) campaign. This campaign aims to get 27 million more Americans physically active by 2027. The goal of these local efforts is to make residents “in the know” about parks and active places so more can visit and use them to be active, socialize, and enjoy time outdoors.

The campaign is in full swing; here’s what community members have said about it:

“[The billboard] is going to make people think, ‘I want to go find [the parks!]”

“It’s a great source of information and inspiration because people will want to go and find [the parks] and use them.”

Residents of Roma, Rio Grande City, and Eagle Pass can visit tx.ag/parks to learn about parks and other active places like plazas, walking trails, bike lanes, and schools with after-school amenities. The website also includes information about StoryWalk™, a program that allows children and families to get active together while they read a book that is posted page-by-page along a designated route.

Watch your community for more resources, like billboards, maps, posters, and cues around to help you learn about local active infrastructure. For more information, visit tx.ag/parks.

Note: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension’s Working on Wellness Environments (WOW-E) program is funded in part by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) High Obesity Program.

Embracing Youth Perspectives for Community Change

July 26, 2023 by Kailey

By Anna Stehling

When planning for community change and improvement, it’s easy to overlook a segment of the population that is often underrepresented among community planners and professionals: youth.

Those under 25 have a unique experience and perspective in their community and often aren’t scared to speak the truth about what they see. If you want to make a change in your community that is impactful, meaningful, relevant, and sustainable, engage the community, including the youth.

FACES OF OUR PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE

Changemakers around the world tap into younger generations for their outlook and input. For example, as Kailash Satyarthi campaigned against child labor in India, he made sure to include the children and youth impacted by these situations. For the social reforms he helped bring about, he was co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, along with Malala Yousafzai, in 20141.

His perspective is captured here: “The power of youth is the common wealth for the entire world. The faces of young people are the faces of our past, our present, and our future. No segment in the society can match with the power, idealism, enthusiasm, and courage of the young people.2”

As you look to make a difference in your community, whether large or small, embracing the power of youth perspective can shape your outcomes in positive ways.

MEANINGFUL PERSPECTIVES

Youth participation and engagement are important to a meaningful planning process for myriad reasons. Not only are young people the future of the community, but they are here right now, and their opinions matter. Regardless of age, all people have experiences and opinions that are valid. Youth community members have a right to be included in decisions that will affect them.

Bringing youth to the table and giving them a voice and an opportunity to contribute to change also can foster a sense of ownership and belonging. Young people that are involved in their community change will likely feel a sense of investment in their community and will develop a sense of ownership and pride there as well.

Young people experience and view their community in a way that is unique, which makes them a significant group to tap into. Community leaders should capitalize on the fact that youth have a one-of-a-kind lens through which they view their surroundings.

OBSTACLES TO OVERCOME

Why don’t we embrace the power of the youth perspective more often? Perhaps it’s that community leaders look to professional peers, who are often older. It also takes a concerted effort to engage young people and figure out where to find them. There also might be preconceived ideas about what they care about and how involved they want to be. Keep an open mind–you will probably be surprised.

CONNECTING WITH YOUTH

It can help if you understand a few things about the younger generations by talking to them. Here are some ideas for getting in touch:

· Reach out to current contacts about the young people in their lives.

· Connect with local high school guidance counselors and ask for their recommendations about how to interest students in your goals.

· Utilize social media to reach younger generations (Instagram is a good start).

· Put up flyers at the places where youth gather, like libraries and community sports venues.

Once you have a handful of young people interested, let them plan a fun event and invite their friends. Pizza, anyone?

PLAN TO SUCCEED

Aiming to increase youth engagement and participation can be woven into your efforts as you work to change your community. Participation might start off small, but incorporating youth in your efforts will likely strengthen it for the future. Think long-term, make use of your connections, and stay optimistic: Your community, young and old, will benefit.

Sources

1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kailash_Satyarthi

2 https://www.forbesindia.com/article/thoughts/thoughts-on-being-young/66673/1

Planning to Plan? Here’s Where to Start.

May 3, 2023 by Kailey

By Emily Gunderson

Planning is an essential part of any successful endeavor, whether it’s launching a new project or implementing changes within a local, county, or state government. By planning effectively, you can assure the best use of available resources and your fit within larger governmental planning processes. However, before you jump into planning, it’s important to consider the factors that influence change and understand how to work within the already-established framework.

Knowing that change often occurs through smaller-scale efforts that accumulate to larger movements is essential. You may not see immediate change, but by implementing small changes, you can contribute to a broader change over time. Consider the factors that influence change, like plans, budgets, topography, climate, fiscal resources, expertise, politics, capacity, policies, and public support. You should also consider the capacity of city staff, civic volunteers, and community partners. Understanding these can help you plan more effectively and ensure that your plans are feasible and sustainable.

For example: over four years ago, WOW-E started supporting the efforts of a health coalition and local citizens who wanted a safer place to walk. Through the technical assistance of WOW-E, that city now has a downtown walkability plan and is in the process of developing a comprehensive plan and parks master plan.

GETTING STARTED

When working within the established framework, take time to learn how to work with the existing plans, established priorities, identified issues, and city/county budget. Additionally, understanding the rules and regulations, such as the 72-hour notice, permits, etc., will allow you to avoid any roadblocks that may hinder your plans’ implementation. Don’t forget, planning, policy, and implementation take time, advocacy, and support. It’s essential to be patient and persevere in your efforts to achieve your goals.

Rio WOW Coalition started the effort towards a comprehensive plan

WOW-E plays a vital role in supporting local communities and governments. They bring a do-with, not do-for mentality. WOW-E links leaders and practitioners to resources within Extension and Texas A&M University, encouraging equitable engagement, education, and empowerment of key partners and organizations.

For governmental folks looking to build active environments through community planning, AgriLife Extension can also help build and connect strong community systems to listen to priorities. They can also link people and groups together when they have shared goals, connecting expertise to needs if possible. Another part of their role is empowering and educating constituents to be a part of the process through newsletters, social media, guest speakers, and inviting decision-makers.

Rio WOW Coalition doing a walkability assessment

CELEBRATE IT ALL

Celebrating small and big wins helps keep the momentum going over the long haul. That means recognizing change and encouraging stakeholders. Invite people to attend ribbon cuttings or to spread the word about updated and new facilities through an attractive social media post. You could also invite people to help care for new facilities by adopting a park or participating in clean-up days, for example. These are excellent ways to contribute to the community and people feel more invested in the results.

Remember, planning, policy, and implementation take time, advocacy, and support. Be patient and persevere in your efforts to achieve your goals as you plan for success.

Farm to School

February 15, 2023 by Kailey

by Victorino Cantu, M. Garcia & A. Garza

Students pointing to the citrus they grew

The Farm to School Program Mission

The goal of the farm to school program is to bring local foods to the school cafeteria and agricultural education to K-12 students, encouraging children to make healthy food choices and inspiring sustainable connections to local food, while helping to boost the local economy.

Students planting a tree in their orchard

The Plan to Implement Farm to School Efforts in Starr County

Our planned intervention included the planting of a fruit orchard that is a continuation and enhancement of the existing school garden. This intervention was introduced while searching for options to replace missing local farms.

Students standing in the orchard holes for the trees to be planted in

Who Makes These Efforts Possible?

The Farm to School efforts would not be possible without R.T. Barrera Elementary and its administration. The school has incorporated Farm to school efforts into their Physical Education curriculum. They have also recently started an Ag Club that helps monitor the orchard and ensure that the trees are doing well health-wise.

Plowing and digging the site of the orchard

Other Experiences the Students get from Farm to School

As a direct result, students also get to learn the practice of farming and preparing their own healthy meals/snacks.

Students learning healthy food preparation

The Rewards of the Farm to School Program

This intervention provides much needed access to healthy produce that is integral for the long-term health of the community and the students. Planting an orchard demonstrates a commitment to community nutrition for the next 20 years and beyond. This proposal provides an ongoing supply of fresh, seasonal fruit at a location and institution that is accessible to much of the local community.

Pictures provided by R.T. Barrera Elementary Principal, Mrs. M. Garcia and Physical Education Coach, Mr. A. Garza. (01/19/2023)