Nov. 2009 Rural wrdc.usu.edu ConnectionsA Publication of the Western Rural Development Center

Food Security in the Western US Research and Programs Rural Connections Published by the ©Western Rural Development Center Logan UT 84322-8335

November 2009 Volume 4 Issue 1

DIRECTOR Don E. Albrecht [email protected]

PUBLICATION SPECIALIST Betsy H. Newman [email protected]

ASSISTANT EDITOR Stephanie Malin

SENIOR PROGRAM OFFICER Jim Goodwin [email protected]

SENIOR STAFF ASSISTANT Trish Kingsford [email protected]

CHAIR-BOARD of DIRECTORS Noelle Cockett

NATIONAL PROGRAM LEADER Sally Maggard

CONTRIBUTORS Le Adams, Isaura Andaluz, Pete Barcinas, Sandy Brown, Laura Caballero, David Castillo, Mark Edwards, Steven Garasky, Christy Getz, Carole Goldsmith, Craig Gundersen, Hopi elders, Suzanne Jamison, Jennifer Jensen, Emily McGlynn, Raymond Namoki, Joanne Neft, Delwyn Takala, Nancy Tarnai, Susan Secakuku, Jeff Williams

IMAGES istockphoto.com Contributors Todd Paris (pg. 27)

The Western Rural Development Center compiles this magazine with submissions from university faculty, researchers, agencies and organizations from throughout the Western region and nation. We make every attempt to provide valuable and informative items of interest to our stakeholders.

The views and opinions expressed by these agencies/organizations are not necessarily those of the WRDC. The WRDC is not responsible for the content of these submitted materials or their respective websites and their inclusion in the magazine does not imply WRDC endorsement of that agency/ organization/program.

This material is based upon work supported by annual base funding through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Printed on post-consumer recycled paper. Table of Contents

11 3 From the Director Don E. Albrecht 5 5 Food Insecurity in the Western States Mark Edwards

7 7 Poverty Amidst Plenty: Understanding Farm Worker Food (In)Security in California Christy Getz and Sandy Brown

11 Rural Collaboration Works to Build Higher Skill Levels in Hopes of Attracting Better Jobs Carole Goldsmith and David Castillo 21 27 13 13 Food Insecurity and Stress Among Children in the Western US Craig Gundersen and Steven Garasky

15 Farm to School: The Health of the Next Generation Le Adams

17 Marketing Healthy Foods in a Rural Convenience Store Setting Susan Secakuku and Isaura Andaluz

21 It Takes a Year to Write an In-Season Real Food Cookbook 29 Joanne Neft and Laura Caballero 23 Food Security in the Western US and Pacific Territories Peter Barcinas

27 Sunshine Barley: Ready to Grow Nancy Tarnai 15 29 GROW! Food Security with a Community Garden Jennifer Jensen

31 Wasatch Front CSA Collective: Growing Possibilities and Seeking Local Solutions to Food Production 17 Jeff Williams

33 Advocating Native Bee Pollination Services on US Farms Emily McGlynn

23

31 33

Nov. 2009 Rural Connections From the Director

In this issue of Rural Connections we highlight several programs that increase food security and attempt to improve the health benefits and safety of our food system.

mericans spend a smaller 3. There are growing concerns share of their income on food about the health consequences than at any time in history and of a diet based on the modern they spend proportionally industrial food system. At the Aless on food than any other society in present time, many Americans the world. The variety of food choices eat regular meals at fast food in a modern grocery store at any time is restaurants, and consume astounding. Fruits and vegetables that massive amounts of foods laced were once seasonal are now available with sugar and preservatives. throughout the year. Exotic tropical Among the consequences are fruits that I had never heard of during high rates of obesity, especially my childhood are now always available among children, and the at my local grocery store. skyrocketing occurrences of diet related illnesses such as Type II Despite these benefits, the very same Diabetes. It seems increasingly global industrial food system that likely that for the first time ever, provides such cheap and abundant food a generation of children will not has come under increasing attack during live as long, on average, as their recent years. Among the concerns: parents. 1. Communities and regions are no 4. The highly productive crops grown longer food self-sufficient. Even in the monocultures that comprise major farm states import the the global industrial food system vast majority of their food. Most necessitate ever-larger amounts farms grow only a single item, or of fertilizers and pesticides to at most a few items that they then deal with increasingly resistant market to the global industrial insects, funguses, viruses and food system. This raises severe other pests. These fertilizers and food security concerns when one pesticides then wreak havoc on considers how easily this system downstream waterways and could be disrupted. the dangers from highly toxic 2. The global industrial food system pathogens emanating from uses vast amounts of energy to the food system are a growing produce, process, transport, and public concern. store food. Cheap energy led 5. Despite the abundance of cheap to the centralization of the food food, hunger and food insecurity system. Increasingly expensive are a significant concern for some energy raises concerns about the segments of the population. future of the food system. And a system so energy consumptive is simply not sustainable.

3 Rural Connections Nov. 2009 From the Director

To address this litany of problems, In this issue of Rural Connections we researchers, extension specialists and highlight several programs that increase others have been seeking solutions. food security and attempt to improve Among the more innovative solutions the health benefits and safety of our include workforce development food system. Our goal is to increase programs geared toward out-of-work awareness of the programs so others farm workers, farm to school programs will implement them. Increasing the where schools purchase products impact of these programs to ensure that from local farms, community gardens, they have the greatest possible impact community supported agriculture will require communities, consumers, programs, and the local-farming and agencies and organizations to have farmers-market movements. Each of the best information possible and will these efforts seeks a solution to one or require a strong and reliable research, more of the problems described above. education and outreach base. All are consistent in an attempt to provide nutritious, locally-produced food to a Don E. Albrecht is the Director of the broad spectrum of community residents Western Rural Development Center. in ways that are environmentally He may be reached via email to sustainable and enhance rural economic ;[email protected] development by expanding markets for or by calling 435.797.9732. local farmers and for locally-produced foods.

Each November the USDA releases an annual report on household food security in the US. Food insecure households are those in which not everyone in the household “had access at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life.”

Among food insecure households are those that have “very low food security,” a condition where one or more adults’ food intake was reduced and/or their eating patterns were disrupted due to a lack of money. This group is often referred to by advocates (and formerly referred to by the USDA) as being “food insecure with hunger,” or experiencing “hunger.”

To learn more about the questions that households are asked regarding their food situation, visit the USDA’s Economic Research Service website: http://ers.usda.gov/.

Nov. 2009 Rural Connections 4 Food Insecurity in Western States By Mark Edwards

...... Every Autumn, Oregon’s largest newspaper a social problem and the public response obscure important stories at the state reports the federal government’s newest to that problem may be unique, but we level. For example, Oregon’s reduction of estimate of Oregon’s household food can only know that by comparing it to its its hunger rate between 2001 and 2005 insecurity rate. Oregon’s unexpected neighbors and other Western states. from around 6% to around 3% appears ranking as one of the “hungriest” states in absolute terms to be a small number in the late 1990s embarrassed state Policy makers and citizens sometimes puzzle getting smaller. However, this decline political leaders and mystified researchers. over why their state’s food insecurity rate translates to a reduction from 90,000 to Its subsequent improvement in the early differs from that of neighboring states, 45,000 households experiencing hunger 2000s was the source of some pride leading to plenty of armchair theorizing in a given year. Monitoring such changes among advocates and social service about what is special or unique about does not reveal the exceptional work agency leaders. Its recent increase during one state or another. Researchers have completed by groups seeking to reduce the current economic crisis has swamped made some progress understanding the food insecurity. For example, Oregon’s human services offices and area food most important influences on state rates of improvement may well have been due to banks. Over the past 10 years, Oregonians’ food insecurity. For example, a study of all the state’s phenomenal growth in enrollment rising awareness of food insecurity as an 50 states found that, among many other of low-income families in the federal food income issue led to extraordinary efforts characteristics, housing costs and peak stamp program. Oregon’s collaborative to provide emergency food and to enroll unemployment significantly increase state efforts between the Department of eligible people in federal food programs. rates of “hunger” (Tapogna, Suter, Nord Human Services, the Hunger Relief Task Oregon’s story about food insecurity as & Leachman 2004). Other researchers Force, the Oregon Food Bank, and other have noted that the percentage groups dramatically improved access and of the state residents who are in a outreach for the food stamp program.

2005‐2007 1999‐2001 particular category (single mothers, Some Western states have experienced Food Food poor people, immigrants, etc.) does remarkable collaboration between state Hunger Insecurity Hunger Insecurity MT 3.8 9.5* 4.0 13.2* not provide a statistically powerful agencies and nonprofit groups in the fight ID 3.4 11.4 4.5* 13.0* explanation for most state-level against hunger, while others lag behind in WY 3.3 9.9 3.2 9.9 CO 4.6 11.0 2.5 8.6* differences (Edwards, Weber working well together (Edwards 2008). NM 4.9 15.0* 4.2 14.6* & Bernell 2007). For example, AZ 4.6 12.0 3.6 11.6 UT 5.1 12.5 4.6* 13.8* Oregon’s high rates of “hunger” What have been the patterns and trends NV 4.0 10.4 3.4 10.1 cannot be explained by the state in food insecurity in Western states? Food WA 3.5 10.1 4.6* 12.5* OR 5.5* 12.4 5.8* 13.7* having higher rates of single insecurity rates in the US continue to be CA 3.5* 10.2* 3.3 11.8* motherhood or a higher poverty slightly higher in the West and in the AK 4.8 12.4 4.3 11.1 HI 2.9* 8.4* 3.0 10.8 rate than Washington or Montana. South than in the Midwest or Northeast US 4.0 11.0 3.1 10.4 (Nord et.al. 2008). But state-by-state,

Table 1: “Hunger” and Food Insecurity Rates in Western States Changes in state food insecurity the numbers vary more widely and tend rates over time both reveal and to change substantially year to year, 5 Rural Connections Nov. 2009 Food Insecurity in the Western States

suggesting some unique local influences The data preclude us from making About the Author that local leaders and researchers should trustworthy state-by-state comparisons Mark Evan Edwards is an Associate seek to understand. of annual changes in rural hunger rates. Professor of Sociology at Oregon State However, exploring metro/non-metro University in Corvallis, Oregon. The most recent report by the USDA, hunger and food insecurity rates within based on the 2005 through 2007 data, states shows that rural food insecurity can Author’s Picks for Further Reading shows that Hawaii has a hunger rate sometimes be a few percentage points USDA’s Economic Research Service significantly lower than the US (Table higher or lower than the urban rates. This ;ers.usda.gov/ 1). California’s rate is also significantly implies that state agencies and advocates below the national average (with Idaho, need to attend to the unique characteristics Berg, Joel. 2008. “All You Can Eat: How Wyoming, and Washington also showing of rural areas when addressing household Hungry is America?” Seven Stories Press. lower rates but with sample sizes too food needs. small to confirm that those are statistically References significant). Regarding food insecurity, New Several studies have examined some of the Edwards, Mark. 2008. “The Rise of State Agency/ Mexico continues to have high rates, while unique rural dimensions of food insecurity. NGO Collaboration against Food Insecurity in the Western US” Paper presented at the annual Montana’s, California’s and Hawaii’s rates For example, Bernell, Weber and Edwards meetings of the Society for the Advancement of are below the national average (refer to discovered that if rural areas had the Socioeconomics. San Jose, Costa Rica. 2nd column in Table 1). same educational levels and occupational opportunities as urban areas, then living Edwards, Mark, Melissa Torgerson, and Jennifer Sattem. 2009. “Paradoxes of Providing Rural It is important to be cautious interpreting in a rural area would tend to reduce a Social Services: The Case of Homeless Youth.” Rural these numbers because of the margin of household’s chances of being food insecure Sociology 74(3):330-355. error in the state estimates, much like a (2006). However, the lower educational political campaign where one candidate levels in rural areas counteract the ways Edwards, Mark Evan, Bruce Weber, and Stephanie Bernell. 2007. “Identifying Factors that Influence holds a 2% lead in the polls but who could that characteristics of rural areas otherwise State-Specific Hunger Rates in the US: A Simple in fact be behind merely due to the sample reduce food insecurity. Analytic Method for Understanding a Persistent upon which the estimate is based. However, Problem.” Social Indicators Research 81(3):579- state hunger and food insecurity rates can The rural food insecurity story is not 595. contribute to our assessment of continuity just one of economic and occupational Bernell, Stephanie, Bruce Weber, and Mark Edwards. and change in economic and social being opportunity, but also the social and 2006. “Restricted Opportunities, Personal for Western states. That warning being geographic characteristics of rural places. Choices, Ineffective Policies? What Explains Food said, Montana’s food insecurity rate The lack of options for where to shop, Insecurity in Oregon.” Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics 31(2):193-211. changed from the beginning of the decade the cost of basic foods in small grocery moving from well above the national rate stores, and the distance between home Nord, Mark, Margaret Andrews and Steven Carlson. to well below (13.2% to 9.5%). Idaho’s and shopping locations all impact the 2008. Household Food Security in the United States, situation appears to have improved while affordability of food for low income rural 2007. Economic Research Service Report #66. United State Department of Agriculture. Colorado’s worsened (Table 2). residents. Also, social service agencies often struggle to reach vulnerable families Tapogna, J., A. Suter, M. Nord, and M. Leachman. Rural Food Insecurity in Western States because of transportation, distance, 2004. Explaining Variations in State Hunger Rates.” While the Census Bureau’s definition of and other community characteristics Family and Economics Nutrition Review 16(2): 12-22 “non-metropolitan” fails to include many (Edwards, Torgerson & Sattem 2009). places that are rural, we can at least Better understanding observe some patterns and trends in the the food insecurity west in comparison to the whole country. patterns and processes In 2005-2007, the hunger rate in non- in rural places can 2005‐2007 1999‐2001 metro areas of the West closely resembled inform policy makers, Food Food “Hunger” Insecurity “Hunger” Insecurity that of the metro West. While hunger advocates and agency 13 increased by about a percentage point leaders seeking to Western in both metro and non-metro parts of the improve quality of life States US, hunger actually declined in western in the rural West. Non Metro 4.1 11.3 4.4 12.3 non-metro areas and remained stable in Metro 3.9 10.7 3.8 11.9 US metro parts of the region. The reason for Non Metro 4.0 11.0 3.2 11.5 this improvement in the rural West is yet to Metro 4.3 11.7 3.3 10.5 be studied. Source: 2005, 2006, 2007 Current Population Survey data, December Food Security Table 2: Metro/Non-metro “Hunger” and Food Insecurity Rates in Western States

Nov. 2009 Rural Connections 6 Poverty Amidst Plenty Understanding Farm Worker Food (In)security in California By Christy Getz and Sandy Brown

7 Rural Connections Nov. 2009 Poverty Amidst Plenty

Fresno County farm workers are suggest that farm workers experience the entire San Joaquin Valley are home to particularly high rates of food insecurity some of the poorest Californians. one of the most food insecure and (Harrison et al. 2007, Quandt et al. 2006, poorest in California with 20% of Villarejo et al. 2000, Weigel et al. 2007). As might be expected, our FFFSA results the population living at or below the To address this lack of attention to farm show that farm workers in our convenience worker communities, the University of sample of 394 native Spanish-speaking federal poverty level. California at Berkeley conducted the Fresno agricultural workers were more likely to Farm worker Food Security Assessment experience food insecurity and hunger (FFFSA) in collaboration with the California than the overall low-income population of Introduction Institute for Rural Studies in 2004-2005. Fresno County (Harrison et al. 2007). Within In this article, we explore one of the most our study sample, 34% of respondents profound contradictions of contemporary Background and Findings were classified as food insecure and 11% US agriculture: that those who produce our California’s hired agricultural labor force is as food insecure with hunger. This finding nation’s food are among the most likely by far the largest in the nation, due in large that approximately half of the farm to be hungry or food insecure. For those part to its preeminence in labor-intensive worker households surveyed are, in USDA familiar with farm worker communities, this fruit and vegetable crop production. Farm parlance, unable to access enough food for irony comes as little surprise. Yet the lived workers are almost exclusively immigrants, an active, healthy life, should be viewed as realities of farm workers are, more often the vast majority of whom are from Mexico. nothing short of astonishing, particularly than not, rendered invisible to the vast The US Census of Agriculture’s official given its occurrence in the most productive majority of people who rely on their labor count (2007) is approximately 450,000. agricultural region in the US. In the words for sustenance. In an effort to address this However, traditional census data has been of one farm worker, “[s]omething is wrong seeming paradox, we explore the concept found to undercount farm workers (CRLA in the system. We are farm workers, of food security with respect to California’s 2001, Sherman 1997), meaning that actual harvesting all day produce for others, and agricultural workforce. numbers are likely much higher. we get home and our family doesn’t have enough food to eat” (Fresno Metro Ministry At the height of United Farm Workers’ 2005). (UFW) organizing, the admonitions of union Our findings suggest that founder Cesar Chavez that “[s]omething is wrong in the system. We income, documentation and “the food that overflows are farm workers, harvesting all day produce migratory status, and food our market shelves and fills for others, and we get home and our family stamp utilization are related our tables is harvested by doesn’t have enough food to eat.” to food security status. Not men, women, and children surprisingly, income was by who often cannot satisfy far the strongest predictor of their own hunger” called food insecurity and hunger. attention to the marginalized The average monthly income position of agricultural labor in California’s Situated within California’s San Joaquin for those classified as food secure was farm fields. The union’s struggles to Valley, Fresno County is home to the $762. For respondents categorized as food improve agricultural wages and working largest farm worker population in the insecure without hunger, incomes declined conditions mobilized white, middle-class nation. Even conservative estimates place to $542 and plummeted to an average urban consumers to support a primarily the population at some 52,727 workers. It of $319 per month for those classified as immigrant workforce, in particular through is also the most productive farm county in food insecure with hunger. union led boycotts (Frank 2003, Ganz the US, with farm sales of over $3.7 billion 2000). Yet significant improvements in farm in 2007 (US Census of Agriculture 2007). Our findings suggest that documentation workers’ material conditions have failed Fresno is also one of the most food insecure of work authorization affects food security to materialize, and food insecurity and and poorest counties in California, with levels. When controlling for income and hunger remain widespread within farm 20% of the population living at or below other variables, farm workers without worker communities. the federal poverty level (Harrison et al. documentation were more likely than those 2007, US Census Bureau 2008). Given that with legal residence or citizenship status Little research has been conducted that agricultural wages are among the lowest to be food insecure, 55% compared to explicitly addresses the agricultural of any occupation (Bugarin and Lopez 34%. Undocumented workers represent an workforce with respect to hunger and 1998, Martin and Mason 2003), it is not increasing share of the agricultural labor nutrition, although several recent studies surprising that Fresno County and, indeed, force. The National Agricultural Workers

Nov. 2009 Rural Connections 8 Poverty Amidst Plenty

Survey estimates that 53% of US farm to health care and affordable housing agricultural sales increased by 32%, from workers lack authorization to legally work (Bradman 2005, Housing Assistance $2.8 billion to $3.7 billion over the same in the US. However 99% of newcomers, a Council 2005), to unsafe and debilitating period. Given these statistics, workers’ loss growing share of the agricultural workforce, working conditions, pesticide exposure appears to be capital’s gain. lack such authorization (NAWS 2002). (Harrison 2008, Reeves et al. 2002) and low annual earnings, long hours, and Today, California farm workers hail Due to a lack of legal status, undocumented unstable employment (Bugarin and Lopez primarily from Mexico, where the imposition farm workers are at further risk of hunger 1998). Perhaps the most striking evidence of neoliberal policies has exacerbated because they are ineligible for critical public of farm workers’ devalued position is the livelihood challenges for small farmers, safety net programs, including the food decline in real wages over the past several or campesinos, and led to increased stamp programi. Within our sample, even decades. Between 1975 and 1995 real northward migration (Barry 1996). those who were eligible (due to legal status wages fell at least 20-25% (Rothenberg, Understanding the dynamics of agricultural and income) often declined to enroll and 1998; Villarejo & Runsten, 1993). production and the social reproduction of only 48% of eligible respondents utilized farm labor in California today (of which the program. Some respondents suggested The lived realities of farm workers stand food and nutrition are clearly an essential they declined to enroll due to fears about in stark contrast to a consistent expansion component), thus requires connecting jeopardizing their immigration status, while of California’s productive and profitable geographies of poverty and inequality others cited a lack of information about agricultural landscape. While farm worker across international boundaries (cf Mitchell program requirements. Such anxieties incomes have declined, the value of 2007), from Fresno, California to the extend well beyond eligibility for public agricultural products has continued along a southern Mexican states of Chiapas and assistance programs and resonate with trajectory of expansion begun in the 19th Oaxaca. the broader climate of fear in which farm century. Between 2002 and 2007 alone, workers operate. California’s agricultural sales increased Conclusion 32%, from $25.7 billion to $33.9 billion In this paper we have reviewed data on Situating Farm Worker Food Insecurity (US Census of Agriculture 2007). In Fresno farm worker food insecurity and offered While the reasons for the marginalization C o u n t y , a brief contextualization of how and why of agricultural labor are complex and farm workers face a daily paradox of contingent upon specific socio-historical “poverty amidst plenty.” In summary, contexts of particular moments in we emphasize that our findings must be California history, the central understood in a larger sociopolitical dynamic shaping labor relations context of structural inequalities that and workers’ livelihood struggles farm workers face on both sides has been the development of a of the US-Mexico border. regime of agrarian accumulation based on capital intensive Since Cesar Chavez’s call production and the persistent for “a revolution of the poor devaluation of agricultural labor seeking bread and justice,” (Mitchell 2007, Walker 2004). While both bread and justice have the often-violent marginalization of continued to be denied to millions farm labor was not inevitable, the worldwide, largely as a result productive forces and social relations of the contradictions of food of agricultural production evolved provisioning based on capitalist together to make California the nation’s social relations. We view attempts breadbasket, where farm workers often to measure the food security status struggle to feed themselves and their of particular groups, such as farm families. workers, as critical to the process of illuminating these contradictions. By Food (in)security is but one of many connecting questions of food security measures that can be used to assess to the underlying dynamics that produce and evaluate the effects of this hunger and hunger-induced migration, we devaluation, from poor physical hope to contribute to the opening up of and mental health (Cason et al. 2003, more productive discussions about food Villarejo et al. 2000) and lack of access security in farm worker communities.

9 Rural Connections Nov. 2009 Poverty Amidst Plenty

About the Authors Cason, K., S. Nieto-Montenegro, et al. (2003) “Dietary Rothenberg, D. (1998) With these Hands: The Hidden Christy Getz is an Associate Cooperative Intake and Food Security Among Migrant Farm World of Migrant Farm workers Today. New York: Workers in Pennsylvania.” Harris School Working Harcourt Extension Specialist in the Department Paper, Series 04.2 of Environmental Science, Policy and Sherman, J. (1997) Finding Invisible Farm workers: Management at UC Berkeley. Frank, D. (2003) “Where are the Workers in The Parlier Survey. Davis, CA: California Institute for Consumer-Labor Alliances? Class Dynamics and the Rural Studies. Accessed online at: http://www.cirsinc. History of Consumer-Labor Campaigns,” Politics and org/pub/parlier.html Sandy Brown is a Doctoral Candidate in the Society 31: 363-379 Department of Geography at UC Berkeley. US Census Bureau, Small Area Estimates Branch She has a background in community-labor Fresno Metro Ministry (2005) Fresno Fresh Access: (2007) “Poverty and Median Income Estimates – organizing and organic farming. Community Food Assessment Report, 2003- Counties”, released Dec. 2008, accessed June 25, 2005. Accessed February 20, 2009 at www. 2009 at http://www.census.gov//did/www/saipe/ fresnometroministry.org data/statecounty/data/2007.html Authors’ Picks for Further Reading Wirth, C., R. Strochlic, and C. Getz. (2007) Ganz, M. (2000) “Resources and Resourcefulness: Villarejo, D., D. Lighthall, et al. (2000) “Suffering “Hunger in the Fields: Food Insecurity Strategic Capacity in the Unionization of California in Silence: A Report on the Health of California’s Farm Workers, 1959-1966.” American Journal of Agricultural Workers.” Davis, CA: California Institute Among Farm workers in Fresno County”. Sociology, 105(4): 1003-1062 for Rural Studies Davis, CA: California Institute for Rural Studies. Accessed at: ;www.cirsinc.org/ Harrison, G. G., M. Sharp, et al. (2007) “Food Security Villarejo, D. & D. Runsten (1993) “California’s Documents/Hunger_in_the_Fields.pdf Among California’s Low-Income Adults Improves, But Agricultural Dilemma: Higher Production and Lower Most Severely Affected Do Not Share in Improvement”. Wages”. Davis, CA: California Institute for Rural UCLA Healthy Policy Research Brief. Los Angeles, CA, Studies Brown, S. and C. Getz (forthcoming). “Farm UCLA Center for Health Policy Research: 1-11 worker Food Insecurity and the Production Walker, R.A. (2004) The Conquest of Bread: 150 of Hunger in California” in The Food Justice Harrison, J. (2008) “Abandoned bodies and spaces of Years of Agribusiness in California. New York: The sacrifice: Pesticide drift activism and the contestation New Press Reader (eds. A. Alkon and J. Agyeman) of neoliberal environmental politics in California”, Boston: MIT Press. Geoforum 39(3): 1197-1214 Weigel, M. M., R. X. Armijos, et al. (2007) “The Household Food Insecurity and Health Outcomes References Housing Assistance Council. (2005) “Farm worker of US–Mexico Border Migrant and Seasonal Farm Barry, T. (1995) Zapata’s Revenge: Free Trade and Housing: Turning challenges into successes”, Rural workers.” Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health the Farm Crisis in Mexico. Boston, MA: South End Voices 10(2). Accessed at: http://www.ruralhome. 9(3): 157-169 Press. org/manager/uploads/VoicesSummer2005.pdf i López, A.A. (2007) The Farm workers’ Journey. The Food Stamp program is the largest of the Bradman, A. (2005) “Environmental Health federal food assistance programs, designed to Perspectives: Association of Housing Disrepair Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press mitigate food insecurity through subsidies for private Indicators”, Cary, NC: US National Institute of food purchases to legal permanent residents and Environmental Health Sciences. Accessed at: http:// citizens in low-income households below 130% of the ehp.niehs.nih.gov/ Martin, P. and B. Mason. (2003) “Hired Workers on California Farms”. In J. Siebert (ed.), California federal poverty level (Harrison et al. 2007). While Agriculture: Dimensions and Issues (pp. 191-214). undocumented immigrants are not eligible for food Bugarin, A. and Lopez, E.S. (1998) Farm workers in stamps, their US born children are eligible. California. Sacramento: California Research Bureau, Berkeley, CA: UC Giannini Foundation of Agricultural California State Library, CRB 98-007. Accessed at: Economics http://www.library.ca.gov/crb/98/07/98007a.pdf Mitchell, D. (2007) “Work, struggle, death, and California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA) (2001) geographies of justice: The transformation of By connecting questions Census 2000 Undercount of Immigrants and Farm landscape in and beyond California’s imperial valley” workers in Rural California Communities. Marysville, Landscape Research, 32(5): 559—577 of food security to the CA: CRLA National Agricultural Workers Survey 2001-2002. underlying dynamics US Department of Labor. Accessed September 25, 2009 at http://www.doleta.gov/agworker/report9/ that produce hunger and toc.cfm. hunger-induced migration, Quandt, S. A., T. A. Arcury, et al. (2004) “Household we hope to contribute to food security among migrant and seasonal Latino farm workers in North Carolina”, Public Health the opening up of more Reports 119(6): 568-576 productive discussions Reeves, M., A. Katten, and M. Guzmán (2002). Fields about food security in farm of Poison: California Farm workers and Pesticides. San Francisco: Californians for Pesticide Reform worker communities.

Nov. 2009 Rural Connections 10 Rural Collaboration

Worksto Build Higher Skill Levels in Hopes of Attracting Better Jobs

By Carole Goldsmith Most of the classes are mobile and move career choices for highly skilled individuals. and David Castillo from community to community so the market One of those individuals is Griselda is not over saturated and students save on Gallegos, who has lived in the small city of transportation costs. Many of the classes San Joaquin for 14 years. Faced with declining job are taught in English and Spanish. opportunities in agriculture Griselda, who had spent years as a farm production, San Joaquin Valley A career ladder approach is used – a job, worker, speaks of seeing a woman truck better job, a career. Skill development is driver, “I want to do the same.” community leaders and educators the focus to allow residents to seek higher- collaborate to develop training paying jobs with more stable futures. As After completing the WIT truck driving a highly effective strategy to engage classes, she is now employed by food programs for its citizens. Will this students, academics are taught within a processor Contadina Del Monte as a truck newly trained workforce attract new career context application; thus, making it driver. She speaks proudly of how, when employers? more relevant and meaningful to the adult her husband couldn’t work, she was able to learner. pay for their house and take care of their three children. The Golden State has lost some of its Working with local employers, the Fresno glimmer if you happen to live on the west County Workforce Investment Board and “I want to better my life,” she said with side of California’s San Joaquin Valley. Economic Development Corporation, WIT conviction in her voice. “I came to school Known as one of the breadbaskets of the seeks to identify jobs of the future and and I did it. I have my license and a job!” world, employment tends to be centered the skills needed by those who will fill on agriculture production. Even in the best those jobs. Initial class offerings included Mendota resident Camilo Ramirez became of times, income and education levels are maintenance mechanic, forklift, welding, a certified forklift driver for Neil Jones low. Now ending a third year of drought, truck driving, and security guard. In order Foods. these are certainly not the best of times to meet new employer demand, WIT is and some fear that the worst is yet to come. developing short-term training in solar and “I worked a lot of time in the fields and I Federal water policies, environmental other green technologies. see a lot of people struggling right now,” he regulations and the national economic crisis said. The instructors at WIT helped. “I took have exacerbated the problems to a point Distance learning equipment is being my tests and I got qualified 100 percent, that more than 40 percent of the residents installed in the three high schools within the thanks to the teaching they gave me.” of the two largest communities in the area, partnership that will allow them to share Firebaugh and Mendota, are unemployed. Advanced Placement courses and offer Camilo and his wife have four children more West Hills College classes. Middle and are content to stay and work in the Skill-Building Collaboration and high school students are engaged in Mendota area. “It’s my town. I’m glad to There is a ray of sunshine despite the gloom. robotics with the help of WIT. The goal is to be right here.” The K-12 school districts in the area and the get more students interested in engineering, local community college, West Hills College, math and science. Griselda and Camilo are two of 446 have collaborated on the Westside Institute people helped by WIT since it first offered of Technology (WIT). Pooling facilities and WIT has a vision of controlling the regional training late in 2007. They participated in financial resources, WIT provides short- economic destiny by providing exceptional two of the most popular trainings—truck term job training for high-demand careers. career and technical education leading to driving and forklift. Despite 40 percent

11 Rural Connections Nov. 2009 Rural Collaboration Works...

unemployment in the area served by WIT, Starting small projects that built trust within About the Authors 50 of the 76 truck driving students have the communities often overcame individual Dr. Carole Goldsmith is the Vice Chancellor found jobs and 95 of the 150 forklift personalities who had doubts. The numbers of Educational Services and Workforce students are employed. tell a story of their own. Tracking students Development with the West Hills Community by their home and employment zip codes College District in Coalinga, California. Helping people like Griselda and Camilo provides the spice for the soup that has is important but making sure that a skilled been created by WIT. David Castillo is the Executive Director workforce is available to attract employers of the Westside Institute of Technology in is the bottom line for WIT. Otherwise, the Overcoming Brick and Mortar Obstacles Coalinga, California. communities of Mendota, Firebaugh, San Since there was no major facility available, Joaquin and Tranquility may become 21st a portable classroom on the Mendota Authors’ Picks for Further Reading century ghost towns. High School campus served as WIT’s American Association of State Colleges headquarters and the training programs and Universities. (2002). Stepping Acknowledging this fact helped bring were developed to be mobile so they forward as stewards of place. New York. together the college, K-12 schools, rotate between communities. Retrieved August 15, 2009 from county workforce investment board and ;http://www.aascu.org/pdf/ economic development corporation. In Like any culinary treasure, a well-seasoned stewardsofplace_02.pdf rural communities a coalition is critical chef knows what ingredients are necessary to accomplishing change. Yet creating to create a blend that is palatable. In the Bolman, L. G., & Deal, T. E. (1997). this coalition was no small feat as the case of WIT, that chef was Fresno County Reframing organizations: Artistry, choice, communities involved had historically Supervisor Phil Larson. Larson, who had and leadership. San Francisco: Jossey- competed with each other for funding. recently retired from a 30-plus year job Bass Publishers. However, recognizing they had been in agriculture when he was elected, knew individually unsuccessful in attracting each community’s needs. His persistence Manning, T. & Roberts, C. (2009). Serving a large training center to the area, was critical to launching WIT and keeping Displaced Workers: Lessons learned and they were receptive to working with the it on track during the initial year. He recommendations to other colleges. The college district to begin taking small steps shepherded the project from afar and Center for Applied Research. at providing training for area residents. leaned heavily on funding agencies to Building trust was critical. make sure the rural communities received Payne. R.K., DeVol & Smith, T.D. (2006). their fair share of job-training dollars. In Bridges Out of Poverty: Strategies for Building Trust to Build a Coalition the past, the rural areas had often been professionals and communities. Highlands, One way to build trust is to increase overlooked in favor of directing funding TX: Aha Process, Inc. meaningful communication. Monthly to the larger cities. Pictured: Camilo Ramirez meetings included the K-12 superintendents and a school board member, the city Recognizing the value of a coordinated managers or their designee, the college effort took leadership and collaboration. district chancellor and president, the That collaboration has spilled over to other Fresno County Workforce Investment activities in the communities. A current water Board director and often a representative shortage in the region, in part created from the Economic Development by a drought but in greater part due to Corporation. Phone calls were frequent regulatory, legal and legislative decisions, between meetings, which rotated between has threatened the very existence of the communities. communities served by WIT.

WIT used a stone soup approach - each Conclusion partner brought important ingredients to With WIT now well established and its To date WIT has the mix. One district might have classroom success documented one student at a time space but no money. Another might have (Figure 1), the communities are better successfully trained and funding but no curriculum. The city had positioned to survive the drought and employed 25 people in information that a major employer was its economic impacts. The model of trust, coming to or leaving but had no way cooperation, collaboration and pooled Janitorial positions, 50 of addressing employer needs. Now, resources has worked well to benefit the truck drivers and 95 fork employers who are thinking about locating communities and the people who call these in the area are invited to WIT meetings to communities home. lift operators. discuss their training needs. Nov. 2009 Rural Connections 12 Food Insecurity and Stress Among Children in the Western United States

BByy CraigCraig Gundersen Gundersen and Steven Garasky and Steven Garasky

Does family stress contribute to stress interacted with food insecurity leads The PSID and CDS have four principal to increases in the probability of obesity strengths for this study. These data provide childhood obesity? Are children and other studies finding stress interacted (1) the full set of 18 questions from the living in the Western US more apt to with food insecurity leading to decreases Core Food Security Module (CFSM) which be obese than their counterparts in the probability of obesity. are used in the establishment of official food insecurity rates in the US; (2) the elsewhere in the country? To date, the role of geographic location heights and weights of children measured has been missing from this literature. by trained surveyors (rather than being Acknowledgements In particular, there has been no work reported by a parent or self-reported) Work on this article was supported by the USDA, regarding whether living in the Western that are used to determine obesity status; Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension United States may make children more or (3) a wide array of household-level stress Service grant number 2007-35215-17871. less likely to be obese viz. food insecurity measures including financial stress; and and stress relative to living elsewhere in the (4) the state and urbanicity (established Introduction country. Moreover, no one has investigated via Beale codes as discussed in Parker Approximately one-in-three children in the whether living in a rural area matters and Ghelfi (2004)) of residence of each US are either obese (i.e., BMI above the for this issue. In response to this research responding household. 95th percentile for age and gender) or lacuna, we address the following two overweight (i.e., BMI between the 85th and questions. First, are children in the Western To measure food insecurity, we use the 95th percentile). In light of this prevalence US at more or less risk of being obese in standard 18-item scale from the CFSM. and its consequences, childhood obesity comparison to those in other regions of the Each question is designed to capture some has become a critical public health issue. country? Second, are children in the rural aspect of food insecurity and, for some Extensive research has examined the west at more or less risk of being obese in questions, the frequency with which it environmental and genetic determinants comparison to those in non-rural West? In manifests itself. Examples include “I worried of childhood obesity. Two environmental this article, we consider both these questions whether our food would run out before we factors that have recently been investigated through an examination of whether the risk got money to buy more” (the least severe in the literature are the roles of food factors of stress and food insecurity are outcome); “Did you or the other adults in insecurity and stress (e.g., Garasky et al., more prevalent in the West. your household ever cut the size of your 2009; Gundersen et al., 2008a, 2008b, meals or skip meals because there wasn’t 2009; Lohman et al.,2009.) The relationship Data enough money for food?” and “Did a child with stress is relatively straightforward We employ data from the second Child in the household ever not eat for a full day – children in households experiencing Development Supplement (CDS) of the because you couldn’t afford enough food?” greater stress are more likely to be obese Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) (the most severe outcome). A complete than children in households with less stress conducted in 2002. The PSID, begun in listing of the food insecurity questions can (e.g., Garasky et al., 2009). The results 1968, is a longitudinal study of a nationally be found in Nord et al. (2008). for food insecurity are more complex with representative sample of individuals and some studies finding a positive relationship the families in which they reside. The CDS, We examine six categories of stressors with childhood obesity, others finding a research component of the PSID focusing using indices based on the number of a negative relationship, and still others on children age 0–12 years old in PSID affirmative responses to questions within finding no relationship. (For a review see families, was introduced in 1997. The each category. More specifically, the Gundersen et al., 2009.) Some research CDS examines a range of developmental stressors and the variables used to create has investigated interactions. The findings outcomes within the context of family, the indices are (1) family disruption and are again mixed with some evidence that neighborhood, and school environments. conflict with questions about aggravation

13 Rural Connections Nov. 2009 Food Insecurity and Stress in parenting, alcohol use, marital status; (2) West (0.29 out of 4.00 versus 0.18) and Steven Garasky is Professor with the mental and physical health problems that financial stressors are lower in the West Department of Human Development and include mental disability, physical disability, (0.89 out of 10 versus 1.20). Additionally, Family Studies at the Iowa State University psychological distress, self-efficacy, and food insecurity rates are substantially in Ames, Iowa. self-esteem; (3) housing issues including higher in the West (14.5% versus 9.1%). moving to cheaper quarters, moving in with References others, sending a child to live with others, Table 2 is structured the same as Table 1 Garasky, S., S. Stewart, C. Gundersen, B. J. Lohman, and spending a high share of income on except that column (1) is for the rural West and J. Eisenmann. “Family Stressors and Child Obesity.” Social Science Research, v38, 755–766. housing; (4) health care struggles such as and column (2) is for the non-rural West. 2009. lacking health insurance coverage and As in Table 1, most index means are not spending a high share of income on health statistically different. However, the stressor Gundersen, C., S. Garasky, and B. J. Lohman. “Food care; (5) financial strain with questions measuring lack of cognitive stimulation and Insecurity is not Associated with Childhood Obesity as Assessed using Multiple Measures of Obesity.” about selling possessions, postponing emotional support has a higher mean in Journal of Nutrition, v139, 1173-1178. 2009. major purchases, postponing medical care, Western non-rural areas (0.327 out of 1 borrowing money from friends or relatives, versus 0.174) while food insecurity is higher Gundersen, C., B. J. Lohman, J. Eisenmann, S. filing for bankruptcy, falling behind in in Western rural areas (15.8% versus Garasky, and S. Stewart. “Lack of Association between Child-Specific paying bills, being contacted by creditor, 0.0%). In interpreting these results, one Food Insecurity and Overweight in a Sample of having wages garnished, having a lien should keep in mind that the sample size 10-15 Year Old Low-Income Youth.” Journal of filed against property, and repossession for this study is quite small – 34 households Nutrition, v138, of home, car or other property); and (6) – in the rural West. 371–378. 2008. lack of cognitive stimulation and emotional Gundersen, C., B. J. Lohman, S. Garasky, S. Stewart, support based on the Home Observation Conclusions and J. Eisenmann. “Food Security, Maternal for Measurement of the Environment-Short Garasky et al (2009) found many of the Stressors, and Form (HOME-SF) scale. For more specifics stressors examined here to be positively Overweight among Low-Income US Children: Results from NHANES 1999-2002.” Pediatrics, v122, on how these measures are calculated, see associated with childhood obesity. As e529–e540. Garasky et al. (2009). such, policies and programs designed to 2008. reduce aspects of family stress may have Results a secondary beneficial impact of reducing Lohman, B. J., S. Stewart, C. Gundersen, S. Garasky, and J. Eisenmann. “Adolescent Overweight and In Table 1, column (1) displays the mean childhood obesity. Based on these results, Obesity: Links values for each of the variables described policy makers in Western states may wish to Food Insecurity and Individual, Maternal, and above for the Western region of the country. to pay particular attention to housing Family Stressors.” Journal of Adolescent Health, (We use the same categorization of the issues as housing related stress appears to v45(3), 230-7. 2009. West as defined by WDRC, i.e., Alaska, be more prevalent among families in this Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, California, area. Nord, M., M. Andrews, and S. Carlson. “Household Idaho, Nevada, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Food Security in the United States, 2007.” Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico.) About the Authors Washington, DC: US Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Report Column (2) provides values for the other Craig Gundersen is Associate Professor 66 (ERR-66). 2008. regions. For most of the stressor indices, with the Department of Agricultural and the mean value in the West is similar to the Consumer Economics at the University of Parker, T. and L. Ghelfi. “Using the 2003 Urban remainder of the country. The exceptions Illinois in Urbana, Illinois. Influence Codes To Understand Rural America.” Amber Waves, are that housing stressors are higher in the April 2004.


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Nov. 2009 Rural Connections 14 Farm to School The Health of the Next Generation

By Le Adams

Farm to School is seeking a of the food that we ingest. The loss of their food choices affect their bodies, community fix to a community farmers and farmland. environment, and community. problem. They’re working to All of these things and more play a role The National Farm to School Network combat childhood nutrition in children not knowing where their food sprouted from the desire to support comes from and in less and less reliance community-based food systems, strengthen concerns while providing access to on fresh wholesome produce both in our family farms, and improve student health locally-grown foods. schools and in our family meals. by reducing childhood obesity. With funding from the WK Kellogg Foundation, Introduction What is this ‘Farm to School’ anyway? the Network coordinates, promotes, and Poor eating, sedentary lifestyles, Farm to School programs throughout expands the farm to school movement overweight - these are all part of one of the country are bringing local farmers’ at the state, regional, and national the newest concerns of health providers, foods into school cafeterias (farm to levels. Eight regional lead agencies the media, the USDA even, and just cafeteria), into college cafeterias (farm and national staff provide free training plain folks from around the nation. And to college), and are providing a myriad and technical assistance, information especially as these risk behaviors are of educational activities that correlate services, networking, and support for affecting our future: the next generation. with a change in food choices. Farm to policy change, media, and marketing One third of US children are overweight School enables every child to have access activities. Farm to Table and the Southwest or obese. As this trend continues, this has to nutritious food while simultaneously Marketing Network are the lead agency been declared as the first generation of benefiting communities and local farm for five states in the Southwest. Currently, children who will not live as long a life as economies. The foods getting into there are more than 2,000 farm to school their parents. Nutrition-related diseases the cafeterias are mostly fruits and programs in the country and chances are such as diabetes and heart disease are vegetables, but also include dairy, grains there is probably one happening near being seen in a younger and younger and meats. These purchases are from you. population. Eating in an unhealthy way local or regional farmers, thus expanding affects discipline and the ability to learn markets for farmers. Other aspects that Farm to School Activities in school. are frequently in farm to school programs In New Mexico - There are innovative include: taste tests, nutrition lessons, cooking programs happening in a What is to blame for this mess? Too much cooking classes, school gardens, farm number of schools. Children learn to use screen time allowed in the home. Lack of field trips, and schoolroom visits from knives and prepare meals with a multi- physical education at school. Commodity- farmers. Any educational activity that disciplinary approach, while learning driven and just plain yucky school food. connects children with local farms can about agriculture and nutrition. Some of Schools don’t have the money to buy good be considered as part of farm to school. these menus are prepared in the school foods. The most affordable food in our Such experiences help children understand cafeteria and recipes in English and communities is also the least nutritious. where their food comes from and how Spanish go home with the students. A Subsidies directory for more was and more produced high fructose which links corn syrup. farmers who The lack of have food awareness to sell to the about and schools with appreciation the school Schoolchildren visiting Harmony Farms.

15 Rural Connections Nov. 2009 Farm to School

food service buyers who want to buy to help get them connected in the • Take a look at these resources, talk to it, including a local produce seasonality marketplace. Several taste tests, school people, and make it happen! chart and farmers’ market list, all of which gardens and other farm to school helps the buyer venture into this new world activities are continuing. About the Author of buying direct. Proposed legislation, Le Adams is a former farmer of organic known as Healthy Kids, Healthy Economy, What can you do? vegetables from northern New Mexico. has been introduced into the state You can follow the lead of the state She is the Co-Director and the Farm to legislature to ask for additional funding programs that are listed above. You can School Program Director of Farm to Table, to provide two additional fresh fruits/ work big or small. Or you can slice off a nonprofit educational organization vegetables per week, New Mexico grown one small piece of the pie, start with one working in farm to school, policy, and when available, to all the state’s children. step, and: agricultural marketing. A group of 6,000 students from 12 • Teach your kids to both cook and schools is piloting the program with great enjoy fresh produce. Author’s Picks for Further Reading success. In a large urban school district, a Farm to School new group is forming to coordinate and • Work with the PTA in your school to ;farmtoschool.org train garden teachers from all the city’s build a school garden. school gardens. A Produce Needs List was • Volunteer to take care of the school Farm to College developed that outlines how much of what garden in the summer months. ;farmtocollege.org kinds of products are needed to provide • Share your gardening knowledge local foods for all school districts. Farm to Table New Mexico with the children in your local school. ;farmtotablenm.org In Colorado - A Southwest Colorado • Talk to your legislators and policy- school district is buying local produce, makers about getting more local Southwest Marketing Network grains and grassfed ground beef. It is fresh produce and additional monies ;swmarketingnetwork.org one of the few districts in the country to help improve school food. that is buying meat from local growers. • Talk to any farmers that you know Policy councils are forming around the and convince them that they want issue of healthy kids and improving to grow and sell food for their local school foods. The major metro area schoolchildren. is gearing up for a school food service overhaul, which is being accomplished by a large collaboration of organizations.

In Utah - A collaboration between one of the state’s universities, the student farm, and the Nutrition Department has brought on many changes. Elementary age children visit the college farm; the farm’s produce provides for taste tests in the schools; schools purchase produce; there is sharing of produce and recipes for families; and, parent/child food preparation classes are provided.

In Arizona - Several schools and school districts buy local foods. Training is being offered for both farmers and food service directors Marketing Healthy Foods in a Rural Convenience Store Setting

By Susan Secakuku Acknowledgement Recognizing the destructive impact that a This project was funded by the Native Peoples standard convenience store would have and Isaura Andaluz Technical Assistance Office, University of Arizona, under the USDA Economic Research Service’s Research, on community health, SDC undertook this Innovation and Development Grants in Economics. research project to find out if a small store Can a small store in a rural in a rural Native American community Cultural Preservation and Commerce: could offer culturally-appropriate, locally- Native American community offer Self-Sufficiency through Local Sourcing sourced, healthy food selections and still culturally-appropriate, locally- In many rural communities, the only place make a profit. sourced, healthy food and to purchase food is a convenience store stocked with soft drinks, reheated frozen Although healthy corner stores are more still make a profit? fried foods, and snacks filled with fats common in urban areas, to date, few and sugars. Neighborhoods and rural Native communities are aware of proven areas with convenience stores have alternatives for stocking and merchandising higher rates of obesity, especially in low- both healthy choices and fast food. With income neighborhoods, which usually have funding from the University of Arizona, little access to diversified food markets. SDC conducted research to develop a Childhood obesity rates are higher in schools model of a “fast food” deli that was that are located close to convenience stores based on traditional Hopi ingredients and fast food service. Yet, the convenience and culture, and was economically viable. store and gas station complex is often The community identified Hopi cultural the first business selected by rural citizens preservation, support for local commerce, for their entry into community economic and self-sufficiency as its primary goals. development. In addition to testing recipes, sourcing local Sipaulovi Village, located in the Hopi ingredients, and establishing competitive Nation in remote northern Arizona, also pricing, the project developed concepts for chose a gas station and convenience promoting healthy food purchases through store as the first project for Sipaulovi merchandising strategies and in-store Development Corporation (SDC), a education. non-profit organization of the Village.

17 Rural Connections Nov. 2009 Nov. 2009 Rural Connections 18 Marketing Healthy Foods

Healthy Food • 84% wanted to know nutritional Food Expenditures In a series of community focus sessions, information about the products. During 2004-2005, Hopi consumers spent participants defined food as “nourishment” • 23% would purchase the food one an average of $9.6 million annually on and healthy food as “natural, minimal time per week; 22%, seven times; and food. The majority was spent in stores environmental impact, not processed.” The 9%, three times. located outside of the Hopi Nation. Items rationale for determining which of the many purchased within Hopi were primarily traditional Hopi foods would be sampled in Most people reported that the foods would beverages and snacks, averaging $15.34 this project included: be eaten in combination with something per trip to the local stores (Natwani 2004, • Seasonal availability of Hopi else, like beans or meats. Some foods like Hopi Community Food Assessment). With agricultural products; hohoysi and blue corn tortilla would be dynamic merchandising and marketing, eaten every day. SDC can recapture part of the estimated • Existing foods that are familiar but not $7 million annually that is currently being necessarily made too often; and The prices that respondents indicated they spent on food that is brought in from the • Foods not currently on a menu in an would pay for traditional Hopi food products border towns. existing Hopi restaurant in the store deli were commensurate with market prices for fast foods. This project targeted the health and nutrition The following products were selected for issues faced by the working poor, which testing and pricing: Local Sourcing primarily are limited access to healthy foods and limited food dollars to spend. • Sakwaviqaviki - Blue Corn Tortilla With these traditional foods as the core menu for the deli, SDC developed a business SDC’s model includes market-rate sourcing, • Piklav’kutuki – Roasted Piki plan to determine if healthy, locally-sourced pricing, and educational outreach strategies • Somiviki – Sweet blue corn bread food products could be both competitively to establish a locally-owned, sustainable, and profitable project that will benefit the • Hurzusuki – Blue corn bread priced and profit making. SDC’s goal is to purchase food that is grown locally and community. • Hohoysi – Wild herbal tea sustainably. • Sakwats’tsilsomiviki – Blue corn tamale Education Proposed in-store educational campaigns • Paatuvsuki – Hominy and bean stew It was projected that sourcing from local farmers would support Hopi’s agricultural designed to change tastes and purchasing habits include: The project partnered with the Hopi sector and increase availability of Elderly and Nutrition Center and staff to reasonably priced fresh and traditional • Create dynamic posters and shelf create the product recipes that resembled foods. However, the project’s cultural labels that illustrate nutritional value the authentic traditional version in taste, consultants pointed out that Hopi traditional as a function of cost. presentation, and portion. The elders at the farming practices are not compatible with • Teach individuals to read labels and Nutrition Center provided valuable input, mass production. Hopi food production and how to identify fats, sugars, chemicals, from recipe development to tasting. distribution are based on reciprocity within and artificial sweeteners. the context of interpersonal relationships and cultural values. • Hold a festival with films like Supersize Food Samplings Me and The Future of Food. Foods that were in season were selected for sampling. Avenues for incorporating locally At this time, the project has not determined • Hold workshops on how to do a family sourced ingredients into these traditional- how, or if, to source locally-grown food budget. ingredients in sufficient quantity to meet based foods were researched. At food • Teach individuals to do a cost analysis the demands of a commercial business. tastings held at community events, a total of of purchasing habits, including gas, Therefore, when a local, sustainable option 150 people filled out surveys, which yielded wear on vehicles, and driving time. the following marketing information: is not available, or when an item cannot be grown locally, then the next choice is • Include menu planning and how to • 89% reported they would purchase to purchase regionally from small-scale shop for nutritional “bargains” (no the foods if available in a convenience operations. Each sourcing decision will processed foods). store. examine the producers’ farming practices • Conduct food sampling so people • 31% reported that taste is what they for sustainability, defined as: “A practice can taste how quality and freshness liked about the traditional foods. [which] can be continued indefinitely without in a product is more satisfying and degrading the systems and resources upon • Hopi foods were considered healthy provides greater value for the amount which it relies.” (Sustainable Food Project, because they were made with natural spent. http://www.yale.edu/sustainablefood/ or local ingredients (51%), not food_purchasing.html) • Highlight foods in season and pass out processed (25%), and not fried or recipes to revive yearly anticipation containing fat (16%). for these traditional foods.

19 Rural Connections Nov. 2009 Marketing Healthy Foods

• Design a list of commonly purchased obesity within Hopi and other rural Native Author’s Picks for Further Reading food products with comparative communities, the standard convenience Facing the Future: The Current State of nutritional values per serving cost to store must be transformed into a culturally- Hopi Sustenance and Farming, 2004 Hopi help families’ transition to healthier relevant community marketplace for Community Food Assessment Report, The foods. For example, substitute diluted sharing and exchange, a place where the Natwani Coalition, December 2007. fruit juice for Kool-Aid, or cook a people teach each other by reclaiming our small roast to slice at home instead of traditional foods as everyday foods. Public Health Nursing - Health Promotion/ buying prepackaged lunch meat. Disease Prevention Childhood Obesity, SDC’s primary goal was to find out if Indian Health Service, Phoenix Service Conclusion meeting cultural, nutritional, and health Unit, C. Onsae, M. Stacey, Dr. Anna Lewis, For the healthy convenience store model goals benefiting the working poor could be Hopi Health Care Center, 2007. to be successful, the selection of foods and financially sustainable. Based on the data consumer education must mesh to result in analysis and project findings, the answer is, cost competitive merchandise and healthier “Yes.” choices that support local agricultural producers and the economy. SDC’s promotion About the Investigators of traditional local foods ensures that Hopi Sipaulovi Development Corporation, Inc. is a dietary needs, cultural food practices, and non-profit corporation of Sipaulovi Village, agricultural traditions are supported with Hopi Nation, Second Mesa, Arizona. The the local food dollar. investigators included Susan Secakuku, Isaura Andaluz, and Suzanne Jamison; with Local stores are not just economic enterprises. Raymond Namoki, Delwyn Takala, and In a remote rural community, they fill an Hopi elders. important community need and can be designed as a tool for public education and shaping healthier food choices. Given the epidemic rates of diabetes and

Nov. 2009 Rural Connections 20 real food It Takes a Year to Write an In-Season Real Food Cookbook

By Joanne Neft and Laura Caballero Educating a community about using to know how to prepare various root crops, Every Saturday morning throughout the cruciferous produce, or the many ways to year Laura and Joanne meet early at year-round, locally-grown foods. serve persimmons, Asian pears, or citrus. the local farmers market to learn what’s Laura Caballero, a local chef, and Joanne available that week. After circling the The farmers who sell at the Auburn, Neft, a driving force behind the first eight market once, the discussion focuses on California Farmers’ Market, like farmers at farmers’ markets in Placer County, decided what meats, fruits, vegetables and nuts markets across the state, are caught in a to change that by writing a totally local are available, what foods taste good tricky situation. While there are plenty of in-season healthy food cookbook inspired together and provide a colorful plate. shoppers during the peak of the summer by fruits, vegetables, greens and meat Generally there is a nice selection of lamb, growing season, the numbers dwindle purchased at the Auburn Farmers’ Market. beef, pork, chicken, goat, and even fresh dramatically when cool weather hits. The first meal was prepared and served fish caught in Bodega Bay. And, of course, Farmers were not planting crops for sale on January 5; the last meal will be served in Placer County throughout the year we during the winter months because many on December 28. 52 weeks in 2009; 52 are fortunate to grow seasonal fruits and customers think there isn’t much in the market Monday night dinners. vegetables. Enough food is purchased for between November and April. In addition, eight people since all the cookbook recipes it’s a mystery to market customers serve eight.

21 Rural Connections Nov. 2009 In-Season Real Food Cookbook

Malcolm Gladwell in “The Tipping Point” suggests it takes 150 people to get the buzz going on an idea or product. On January 7th a short email went out inviting four guests to come to dinner at Joanne’s house on Monday evenings. A donation of $20/person was suggested to support costs of printing the cookbook. And if people wished to drink wine with dinner they were asked to bring a bottle. Apparently email recipients forwarded the email to friends; “Real Food” authors Laura Caballero and Joanne Neft. surprisingly, by mid-February every Monday night dinner was booked for 52 After a seasonal appetizer the guests an in-season dish to share, something made weeks. Four to six people coming to taste gather around the long refectory table and with locally grown food. It promises to be local food over 52 weeks totals more than await big platters of fresh-from-the farm a celebration of good food, good friends, 250 guests. food. The meal is served family style and and a healthier community. guests are excited about getting their first At four o’clock on Monday afternoon peek at the food and holding a platter for A group of PlacerGROWN food Laura arrives and the cooking begins. someone else to dish up a plate. Serving aficionados is laying groundwork for a real If lamb shanks or beef stew is the main the meal family style has been a unique food Cook Club. Pods of eight or sixteen course, the initial preparation began a few experience for many guests. Over the participants will gather together on a semi- hours earlier to allow enough time for slow years people have forgotten to appreciate weekly or monthly basis to prepare the cooking and the slower the cooking, the the generous spirit shared when meals are recipe of the week. The goal is to develop tastier the meat. served family style. For many it brings larger attendance at weekly farmers’ back memories of big family dinners and markets as well as introduce people to the As each recipe is prepared, careful notes gatherings. benefits of eating healthy food. are taken of techniques as well as to measure amounts of food, liquids, spices, Dinnertime conversation focuses on the About the Authors seasonings and cooking times. Caballero food – how it was prepared, which farmer Joanne Neft is a PlacerGROWN and Neft are intuitive cooks – a dash here, grew it, how long it will be in season, and advocate. a splash there, and if something needs a which oils or seasonings enhance the taste. spike in flavor, add some herbs or zest, The recipes are all very simple; the goal is Laura Caballero is a Professional Chef. so measuring amounts has been the most to let the meat or vegetable or fruit reflect difficult part of writing the cookbook. its true flavor. Nothing tastes better than Authors’ Picks for Further Reading just-picked produce; there is no reason to Botany of Desire: A Plant’s-Eye View A photographer arrives at 4:30 or 5:00 alter it. of the World, by Michael Pollan (Paper: p.m. to take pictures of meal preparation. 2002 by Random House) He captures slicing and dicing, basting, During the year over 300 guests have eaten roasting, pouring, simmering, and tasting. at Neft’s house at special events or Monday Omnivore’s Dilemma, Michael Pollan Photos are taken of the week’s fruit or night dinners. Inviting community members (Paper: 2007 by Penguin) vegetable table centerpiece, and a large to share dinner has many rewards. When number of decorative natural materials on the following Saturday morning dinner Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A year of have been photographed through the guests show up at the farmers market, it’s Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver (Paper: seasons. Incidentally, the photographer a clear message they enjoyed what they 2008 by Harper Perennial) stays for dinner – one of the perks of the tasted and have decided to continue eating job. good food. Guests are spreading the word The Tipping Point, by Malcolm Gladwell about eating locally grown food and the (Paper: 2002, First Back Bay) The four to six dinner guests arrive at cookbook buzz is happening. 6:00 p.m. and many times comment on ;YouTube Video: Placer County real food experiencing the friendly cooking smells The Placer County real food cookbook as they come down the long steps. Who will be available in time for Mothers Day ;eatwild.com doesn’t remember the good feelings and 2010. A cookbook-launching event at an sense of well-being from smelling baked old packing shed in Loomis is scheduled ;grassfedcooking.com bread, or a fresh apple pie, or a pot roast for mid-April. All dinner guests will be on the stove? invited. Attendees will be asked to bring

Nov. 2009 Rural Connections 22 • Develop an integrated program that allows community members to make informed decisions about a healthy diet through sustainable, backyard agriculture. • Match appropriate agricultural technologies to community and island needs. • Identify government level challenges to sustainable region-wide agriculture, such as trade tariffs and agricultural water rights.

This collaborative programming signature serves as a useful and effective cultivating tactic allowing regional teams to address common area issues with emphasis on the human and education side. This capacity development strategy continues to support the need to establish a series of complimenting regional food policies sensitive to the areas diverse food system. Food Security in The Pacific Land Grant Alliance (PLGA) and ADAP in November 8, 2008, convened a planning forum entitled: “Staying the Western US Ahead of the Tipping Point.” This forum expands on the future of agriculture with emphasis on Food Security in the Pacific. and Pacific The workgroup focused on understanding unique vulnerabilities communities may face in addressing the associated issues Territories around food security, food systems and the current knowledge and data available to the community.

By PeteR Barcinas While the issues commonly associated with food supply can cover a broad area, he recent launch of the Agricultural ADAP is tackling the food security food production represents a small but Development in the American Pacific important part in this forum. The ADAP-led implications of climate change, rising sea (ADAP) Regional Food Security and effort attempts to align the Food Security levels, and fuel costs for the Western US Sufficiency Project brings together and Sufficiency projects programming community,T local, state and regional framework. A noted interest lies in threats and Pacific Territories. expertise around a common high-impact associated with food supply interruption programming or participatory governance and high reliance on the volume of imported to: foodstuff. • Develop working groups to explore each island’s challenges to The focus on Food Security represents sustainable agriculture and food the latest effort toward localizing and security, and explore the cultural embracing the overarching idea of the and economic barriers to island “ecological footprint” as referenced in agricultural sustainability. Kent’s (2008) forum presentation “Food 23 Rural Connections Nov. 2009 Western US and Pacific Territories

The implications of climate change reframes a role that the ADAP consortia has a natural advantage to serve as the early warning system related to rising sea level threats and the associated fuel issues influencing imported foods.

and Nutrition Security in the United and compile their respective version of a hope to create start points for food security States-affiliated Pacific Islands.” This food-system asset map. The community strategies. Such strategies should address ecological reference provides the broader assessment will provide the necessary current food systems for the alliance and and challenging context of defining the background and information to gain an decide common accessibility issues related agricultural interest amid the myriad of understanding of the issues making up the to the at-risk or marginal groups to food. causes driving resource consumption and region’s food security and sufficiency issues. This includes a similar interest in defining known ecology pressures. This also includes Addressing dependency issues around a food uncertainty strategy associated expanding the circle of food security food and more importantly, the questions with disasters and readiness action plans. advisers from the current workgroup of where is the next food source coming Perhaps this recent interest around food represented in the forum. Participants include from and how to improve our current food security can serve as the front-runner for a food security expert, administrators, security system remain important concerns. leading the regionalization of agricultural program leaders, economists representing programs that can lead toward shoring up both Research and Cooperative Extension In Guam’s case, creating a food security both the knowledge base and capacity for and University/college programs and monograph, which will evolve from timely Pacific Alliance programming. collaborators. This initializing workgroup the initializing assessment efforts, will contributes toward identifying and provide a better sense of data needs and An important concern raised in this forum expanding the related food-agricultural understanding the island’s food system. The is who exactly leads this and why. For assets and expertise necessary to address implications of climate change reframes a Guam, from this printing, a food security the issues identified by the team. The joint role that the ADAP consortia has a natural workgroup comprised of dedicated and sponsorship represents a commitment to advantage to serve as the early warning highly charged faculty, program staff unify common issues noting Food Security system related to rising sea level threats and graduating seniors are underway as one focus area. Other emphasis areas and the associated fuel issues influencing in developing a program design and include climate change, energy security, imported foods. Other concerns expressed conducting its food security community invasive species and biological threats, include understanding food production reconnaissance to include a food security and health and lifestyle impacts. practices and associated ecological drivers focus group and a Food System asset map. supporting each jurisdiction as well as The workgroup remains excited and looks The highlights of the November 2008 considering other transformative strategies forward to this important work effort and Food Security meeting forum focused on and opportunities not readily apparent as creating its first food system monograph. three areas: Availability, Accessibility and a result of these ecological pressures. Use. As a starting point, each cooperating From this Food Security effort, the area will conduct a community assessment workgroup through ADAP and the PGLA Nov. 2009 Rural Connections 24 Western US and Pacific Territories

About the Author References Pacific Land Grant Alliance. [Brochure]. c/o ADAP Peter R. Barcinas, Program Leader, Economic Kent, George. “Food and Nutrition in the United Home Office College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, HI. and Community Systems, University of States-affiliated Pacific Islands.” Hawaii, Staying Ahead of the Tipping Point [Forum]. University of Guam Cooperative Extension Service. Mr. Hawaii. November 8, 2008. Barcinas continues to participate in many regional forums and initiatives that range Land Grant Institutions of the Pacific. Agricultural from workforce development, capacity Development Project in the American Pacific (ADAP) Year 22 Plan of Work. Retrieved October 14, building and strategic planning and 2009, from http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/adap/ community asset mapping efforts. information/meetings/Yr22_POW.pdf

College of Micronesia plantlets of the hardiest varieties of sweet The College of Micronesia (COM) project potato, taro, and other staple root crops, staff are working to revitalize a traditional for distribution to outer island communities Agricultural crop and farming system. Traditionally, in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Micronesians grew root crops in a way and the FSM States of Pohnpei, Chuuk, Development in the that should the island be inundated with and Yap. This year, COM plans to continue storm surge, and the farms flooded with the propagation and distribution of American Pacific Food seawater, there were a few hardy varieties plantlets to the smaller, outer islands in the of plants that survived and would sustain region. Distribution of the plantlets will be Security Projects the community. Due to the threat of rising accompanied by a workshop on gardening sea levels, this work is even more important. techniques. Last year the staff began propagation of

25 Rural Connections Nov. 2009 Western US and Pacific Territories

University of Alaska Fairbanks The project staff at the University of Alaska Fairbanks are focused on several projects including 1) gathering primary data from food importers to determine amount by weight and value (where possible) and by major food category (e.g. potatoes, onions, bread, beef etc.) shipped into Alaska from outside its borders; 2) gathering detailed information of production from greenhouse operators that is not currently collected by the Alaska Agricultural Statistics Service; and 3) gathering secondary information on consumption in rural and urban Alaska including calculating consumption using consumption coefficients for the United States. College staff will publish the results of the information gathered concerning the amount of food that is imported into Alaska and the vulnerability of the Alaska population to any interruption in the food supply chain. It is also planned to coordinate two workshops in Anchorage and Fairbanks and a media campaign (radio and television) to show people the importance of some degree of self-sufficiency that will reduce the amount of food imports and give helpful hints on what everyone can do to help. This year UAF plans to support two additional workshops and media outreach for Juneau and the Kenai Peninsula. Also, in June 2010, food importers and distributors identified in surveys will be contacted again for updated figures on food imports to Alaska.

Northern Marianas College University of Hawaii The PGLA is comprised of the six The project staff at Northern Marianas Project staff at the University of Hawaii US Pacific Land Grant institutions. College (NMC) sponsored an agriculture created point-of-purchase signage summit to discuss emerging concerns relative allowing growers to identify where The Alliance theme “Pacific Gateway to food production. At the conclusion of products were grown in the Islands. Besides communities, environments, and the agricultural summit, CNMI will have price, one of the other reasons that there economies in harmony” captures an agriculture strategic plan. NMC will is not a demand-pull for locally-grown develop the expertise of the local extension produce is that many consumers cannot the essence of the membership agents in aquaculture and farming to be easily identify products that are grown in which includes: the American Samoa able to provide the necessary expertise to Hawaii – products are not often labeled by Community College-Community assist in the development of the agriculture origin. This has changed a little, due to the and Natural Resources, College of and aquaculture industries. This year NMC Country of Origin Labeling law, but farmers plans to further assist in the development themselves are not in tune with promoting Micronesia-Land Grant Programs, of both agriculture and aquaculture by their product over an imported one. This Northern Marianas College-CNMI building a small aquaponics demonstration work compliments the ongoing Hawaii Cooperative, Research, Extension plot. Aquaponics has the potential to be Farm Bureau Federation’s Buy Fresh – Buy very useful in Saipan, where all freshwater Local campaign. Signs, for various uses and and Education Service, University of comes from wells and all fertilizers are of various sizes, will be developed by this Alaska Fairbanks-School of Natural imported. By combining the two systems, project for use by Hawai’i growers and Resources and Agricultural Sciences a sustainable system can be created that retailers. The templates will be available optimizes water use and minimizes the for anyone who wishes to buy additional Agricultural and Forestry Experiment need for importing fertilizers. signs. This year, University of Hawaii hopes Station, University of Guam-College to expand the program to growers in of Natural and Applied Sciences, Hawai’i (both on Oahu and all neighbor and University of Hawai’i at Manoa- islands). College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources makes up the current PGLA consortia and serves as the latest addition to the organizational map.

Nov. 2009 Rural Connections 26 Sunshine Barley Ready to Grow

By Nancy Tarnai

Researchers at University of Alaska Fairbanks have developed an early- maturing, non-waxy barley that is specifically adapted to northern climates.

new variety of barley is nearly ready for public use in Alaska. The University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Natural Resources Aand Agricultural Sciences, Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station are releasing it. This “naked” barley, dubbed Sunshine by researchers, is a hulless type featuring a tough inedible outer hull that loosely adheres to the kernel.

Hulless barley is not truly without a hull, but is so called because this type of barley requires little or no processing to remove the hull, as it is attached so loosely to the seed that it easily falls off during harvesting. Research that eventually led to the creation of the variety Sunshine began in 1993—barley has been studied at AFES since practically the beginning of work at the station. Research Assistant Bob Van Veldhuizen has been working on the new barley variety for many years, with 27 Rural Connections Nov. 2009 Sunshine Barley Ready to Grow

other researchers on the quest to create a with certain allergies, but it is not entirely hulless variety for Alaska conditions along gluten-free. the way. Steve Dofing started the process fifteen years ago and then Charles Knight An official announcement of the new crop took up the work. Using Thual as the parent will appear in the Crop Science journal seed, Dofing crossed the barley with a and a publication will be prepared by Finnish variety (JO1632) to improve straw AFES. Foundation seed will be available strength, as Thual tended to produce weak through the Plant Materials Center, Alaska stalks which fall over in the field, scattering Department of Natural Resources in Palmer. the grain on the ground. Breeders’ seed is maintained by AFES.

Dofing spent many days peering through Since the barley was announced publicly, microscopes to learn everything he could there has been an outpouring of interest about all aspects of the grain. Once the from growers both in and out of Alaska. trials passed the greenhouse research Van Veldhuizen has been answering phase, fields were planted at the questions and taking names for those who Fairbanks Experiment Farm, the Matanuska want trial seed once it is released. Experiment Farm in Palmer, and the Delta Junction Field Research Site. In the meantime, Van Veldhuizen is anything but bored; he has already developed a new This early-maturing, non-waxy barley and improved breed of sunflower (Midnight is specifically adapted to northern Sunflower) for Alaskans and is immersed in environments. Sunshine possesses high grain researching organic amendments to soil, yields of nearly 2,500 pounds per acre fishmeal and fish/peat composting, and and good test weights of 57 pounds per testing for many new plant varieties. bushel. About the Author Kitchen tests followed the field trials, with Nancy Tarnai is the Public Information Cooperative Extension Service testing Officer for the School of Natural Resources twelve barley varieties. Nutrition expert and Agricultural Sciences at the University Kristy Long determined that Sunshine was of Alaska-Fairbanks. indeed a marketable product, easy to mill, with a nutty flavor, and containing an abundance of nutrients. Once farmers Nutrition expert Kristy Long decide to grow the product, they should determined that Sunshine was find that compared to the price of hulled indeed a marketable product, barley varieties ($100 to $200 per ton), easy to mill, with a nutty flavor, Sunshine should bring in $5 to $10 for a one-pound bag. and containing an abundance of nutrients. “We want to show growers the possibilities of uses for Sunshine barley,” Van Pictured: Bob VanVeldhuizen, Sunshine Barley Veldhuizen said. “In Alaska you almost have to create the product yourself as we don’t have industries to do it.” He foresees some demand for the grain from health food enthusiasts. “I doubt there will be 100,000 acres of it in Alaska but I see a niche,” he said. “There will be small acres, small plots. And the demand might increase once people see it’s great.” Another plus for barley is that the flour is much lower in gluten than wheat, a plus for people

Nov. 2009 Rural Connections 28 Food Security with a GROW!Community Garden

By Jennifer Jensen

A community group provides the community to further enhance its the heavy work needed to start a garden. garden plots for those who wellbeing. Colleen Bolles is one such gardener who otherwise don’t have access to land is participating in the community garden. GROW! spent the winter months planning “I rented the garden plot to learn about or don’t have the ability to prepare for the project and the group constructed gardening and because I needed someone their own garden. its community garden with 31 plots for else to do the heavy work like tilling, adding community members, seven plots for the manure, and building a fence,” said Ms. Gardeners for Regional Organic Wellbeing GROW! Organization, and two plots for Bolles. “I learned by doing and by asking (GROW!) was founded in the winter of educational demonstrations. At a cost other gardeners at the community garden.” 2008-09 by community members that of $20 per plot, community gardeners Now Ms. Bolles is enjoying the harvest from were interested in promoting food security received a four-foot by twenty-foot her bountiful garden plot. for Boundary County, Idaho. To address the garden space that was tilled and amended issue of nutritious and safe food for those with compost. The gardeners also received Beyond the Garden that might not be able to purchase such fresh access to water, hoses and gardening tools The group is especially concerned with vegetables, this grassroots organization for maintaining their gardens through the providing healthy food for underprivileged formed the idea of a community garden summer. A scholarship program was set up families within the county. Between the to provide food to both the food bank that and utilized to waive the $20 fee for those seven GROW! plots in the community is often lacking in fresh produce and local gardeners that might not be able to afford garden and another separate garden, the gardeners interested in producing their it. GROW! also provided its community group is able to provide fresh fruits and own vegetables. gardeners with free seeds that had been vegetables to the local food bank. Some donated and transplants started by group of the produce is also sold at the Bonners The goal of GROW! is to create a self- members. Ferry Farmers’ Market the proceeds of sufficient, food independent community by which are used to purchase commodities supporting local and regional food security The garden has been a great success, such as flour, rice, sugar, etc. to donate to systems and agricultural practices that offering apartment dwellers or others that the food bank. enhance the ecological independence and live in much cooler climates in the mountains economic sustainability of Boundary County. a location in the city of Bonners Ferry for Christine Villanueva is the service It is also the mission of the organization to growing a wide range of vegetables. The coordinator for the Community Action bring the community together to realize the garden spaces have also been well utilized Partnership that runs a food bank in the connections that can be made within by those who are unable to do city of Bonners Ferry, Idaho. “The donations

29 Rural Connections Nov. 2009 GROW! Food Security

from the community garden have been a the workshop the students learned about local produce to the community. Flowers great help,” says Villanueva. According the history of community gardens, and flank the front fence and brighten many to her, more families utilize the services at discussed tomatoes and why there are so of the garden plots and a seating area in the food bank in the summer when school is many different cultivars available. the garden provides rest for anyone who out of session. During the summer months In addition to providing in-class workshops, would like to sit and enjoy the splendor. these families lose two free lunches a week GROW! offers hands-on learning In 2010 GROW! plans on expanding to for their children that are offered during opportunities at the community gardens. include other gardens in the county with the the school year at the school’s cafeteria. These garden workshops focus on enhancing intent of moving another step closer to the Fortunately other gardeners in the area also local food production and have included: goal of a self-sufficient, food independent generously donate some of their harvest • Basic gardening practices county. to the food bank. “The donations from the community garden make a great impact • Edible container gardening About the Author on the community,” said Ms. Villanueva, • Building a successful compost bin Jennifer Jensen is an Extension Educator “By providing fresh vegetables to those with the University of Idaho Extension in • Weed control and mulching in a who are unable to grow their own garden Bonners Ferry, Idaho. vegetable garden and can’t afford to purchase produce at a store.” • Storing garden vegetables for use Author’s Picks for Further Reading through the winter GROW! Educational Outreach ;growboundarycounty.org GROW! has worked with the University The garden staff set aside one demonstration of Idaho Extension to provide educational plot that was used to educate students American Community Gardening opportunities relating to local food security. from the Riverside High School in Bonners Association An in-class workshop for 4th and 5th grade Ferry on planting techniques. Another ;communitygarden.org science students at Evergreen Elementary demonstration plot featured 13 tomato School took place in the spring of 2009 cultivars for gardeners to evaluate plant A Handbook of Community Gardening. to help start seedlings for the garden. The performance and taste. Boston Urban Gardeners. Edited by class planted tomato, basil and marigold Susan Naimark. seeds. Many of these plants were then Conclusion transplanted into the community garden The GROW! Community Garden has been Brooklyn Botanic Garden All-Region and others were reared under grow lights a great success this summer. An empty, Guides Community Gardening. Edited by at the school for the students to take them grassy lot has been converted into a Ellen Kirby and Elizabeth Peters. home for use in their own gardens. During beautiful garden that is providing fresh and

Nov. 2009 Rural Connections 30 Wasatch Front CSA Collective Growing Possibilities & Seeking Local Solutions

to Food Production By Jeff Williams

Rebuilidng the physical and social connections between people and their food producers, Consumer Supported Agriculture is growing in urban areas like Utah’s Wasatch Front.

The Great Salt Lake Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) has worked to teach others about the importance of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) to serve the needs of consumers by providing fresh, locally-grown produce and encouraging a varied and balanced diet while preserving farmland and encouraging sustainable farming along the rapidly developing Wasatch Front.

Farms in Utah are working to increase the viability of their operations by diversifying

31 Rural Connections Nov. 2009 Wasatch Front CSA Collective

and marketing directly to consumers using a vegetables into their homes and onto their would help provide more opportunities for CSA model. By working collectively, farmers tables. The GSL RC&D hopes to educate more local farms located in close proximity will be able to increase the effectiveness and encourage one percent (initially) of of new developments. Further funding of educating consumers about the benefits the over 1.6 million people residing in for CSA Utah will help these and other of CSA through collaborative marketing, these five counties to participate in CSA. opportunities and challenges associated brochures, displays, signage, packaging This would equal over 16,000 consumers with CSA in Utah. and labeling, training, sponsored events, participating in CSA, and increase of over workshops, and evaluation of results. 14,000 more than currently participates in CSA Utah is one of many ways that local this fledgling effort. This joint effort to keep farmers can market their goods and services After giving this program an identity, a locally grown food supply close to a in a way that will increase the diversity CSA Utah, the GSL RC&D started an large metropolis center has been successful and sustainability of their operations. intensive outreach effort. The marketing but has a lot more work to ensure it meets Consumers can make a positive difference component has been the prime focus of the ever changing economic landscape of in their communities by supporting a local this effort which includes contracting with Utah. farm. This connection, both physical and a professional graphic artist to create a social, between producer and consumer unique and interesting logo, creating a This effort has been on-going for a number is becoming less common in our economic descriptive and memorable slogan (CSA of years, but recent funding has infused world. CSA may increase the likelihood that Utah: Rooted in Your Community, Harvested the program with tangible resources to farmland will be preserved even in the most for Your Table), underwriting sponsorships meet the challenge of connecting people developed areas. Shareholders can enjoy that were recorded on several radio with their environment, gain a better the many benefits, such as a varied and stations that broadcasted to many parts of understanding for how and where their healthful diet, decreased transportation Utah, purchasing graphic advertisements in food is grown, and providing them a costs, having a voice in what and how their traditional and nontraditional publications meaningful action that invites farming into food is grown, and more. with both large and small readerships as their community. In addition, CSA gives well as a diverse range of audiences. farmers another tool by which to market About the Author their products while giving them a closer Jeff Williams is a Resource Conservation The GSL RC&D volunteer members worked to retail price thus increasing their chances and Development (RC&D) Coordinator for to ensure the program has a presence of remaining a viable agricultural entity. To the Great Salt Lake RC&D Council, USDA along the Wasatch Front as well as the rest date, the number of CSA farms has almost Natural Resources Conservation Service of Utah. Other incentives to increase the doubled from last year. The website has (NRCS) in Salt Lake City, Utah. capacity of CSA in Utah for both the supply recorded almost 4,000 hits to date. The (farmers participating in CSA in Utah) and main purpose of CSA Utah is to provide Author’s Picks for Further Reading demand (consumers or shareholders) sides a place for consumers to find out about Henderson, Elizabeth and Van En, included paid attendance to workshops CSA farms in Utah, as well as a place for Robyn. 2007. Sharing the Harvest: A (Utah Diversified Agriculture Conference farmers to educate potential shareholders Citizen’s Guide to Community Supported in Delta, Utah), cost share funds for CSA about what their CSA offers. Agriculture. Vermont: Chelsea Green related equipment, packaging and Publishing. labeling (reusable bags printed with the However, there is still a large portion of logo and byline of CSA Utah), as well as the population in Utah that could benefit Alternative Farming Systems Information a website and blog. The vast majority of from participating in CSA as either a Center this successful and growing program has consumer or grower. There is also the ;nal.usda.gov/afsic/pubs/csa/csa.shtml been funded by a generous grant from challenge of making CSA accessible to low the USDA Agriculture Marketing Service income and diverse audiences. Growing CSA Farms Management and Income Farmers’ Market Promotion Program. farmers along the Wasatch Front is a need ;cias.wisc.edu/economics/community- that will become more challenging and supported-agriculture-farms- By diversifying and directly marketing to critical as the average age of farmers management-and-income/ consumers, local independent farms and continues to increase and farmland comes partners hope to grow the market share under more pressure from development. CSA Utah for CSA thereby creating an important A beginning farmers program would help ;csautah.org relationship with customers by educating train and nurture new and young growers them about how their food is grown, where and increase the number of CSA farms in it is produced and who is responsible for Utah. Encouraging planning commissions to bringing fresh, locally produced fruits and allow for small farms in new developments

Nov. 2009 Rural Connections 32 ...... g ...... A in ...... d t ...... v ca s ...... o e ...... ollinatio c ...... ee P n Servi ...... Native B on U S Farms

By Emily McGlynn

Researchers at Rutgers University The Impact of Colony Collapse Disorder mysterious, the phenomenon highlighted the and Bryn Mawr College are helping Insect pollination is an essential agricultural risk of relying on a single pollination service input: the world is dependent on insect provider (honeybees) for commercial crop farmers identify the top native pollinators for 35% of its food supply production. Severe economic losses and pollinators in their area and how to and two-thirds of crop varieties require food shortfalls could result if pollination support them. some level of animal-mediated pollination service loss is not addressed. (Klein et al. 2007, Roubik 1995). This pollination service, almost exclusively due Apples, blueberries, strawberries and to the activity of bees, is highly valuable various nuts, all crops that generate billions and generates an estimated $18 billion of dollars annually for the US economy, annually in the US (Morse and Calderone require from one to three honeybee colonies 2000, Losey et al. 2006). Bees efficiently per acre to maximize fruit production transfer pollen between different plants (Blossom to Harvest 2005). Almonds, of the same species. This cross-pollination California’s top agricultural export, are makes for healthier and more genetically completely dependent on insect pollination diverse plant populations. It also facilitates for reproduction due to self-incompatibility, reproduction for crops such as watermelon, and bring $1.9 billion into the state each which have separate pollen providing year (Kodad 2008, Almond Board of (male) and fruit producing (female) flowers, California 2008). In part due to declining or apples, many varieties of which require honeybee numbers, California honeybee cross-pollination from a different variety colony rental costs have increased three- (called self-incompatibility) to produce fold since 2001 (California Agricultural fruit. Statistics Service 2007).

Commercial growers of entomophilic (or Costs of honeybee hives will continue to insect-pollination dependent) crops depend rise if CCD and other hive management heavily on rented honeybee colonies problems continue, requiring that farmers to fulfill their pollination service needs. spend more revenue on a less reliable input. When in 2006 US honeybee populations If farmers rely exclusively on honeybees, began to crash in a startling trend now the availability of pollinator-dependent known as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), foods may become more irregular or they the agriculture industry became deeply may simply become economically inefficient concerned. Though the cause of CCD is to produce (Allen-Wardell et al. 1998).

33 Rural Connections Nov. 2009 Advocating Native Bee Pollination

...... A ng ...... ti ...... d a ...... voc s Strategies.... for Addressing the Disorder...... 2. Providing areas and materials to nest targeted application is more likely to limit e ...... Pollination ic Direct investigation...... of...... the.... causes and so bees will want to come back year bee exposure. In general, granules and Bee Serv ...... Native treatment of Colony Collapse Disorder after year; solutions are safer than powders, which on U S Farms are crucial. However, an equally important 3. Practicing bee-friendly land certain bees may confuse with pollen approach to promoting reliable crop management where they are active. and collect as food (Delaplane 2000). pollination is to encourage larger and more Insecticides with sugary baits are likely robust populations of native, non-managed The first component involves planting a to attract bees and therefore should be bees. This may require only investing in the mix of native flowering plants around the avoided. long-term sustainability of their habitat, farm, especially in marginal land such as and would hopefully allow for greater in ditches, along the sides of roads and Conclusion reliability of pollination services into the paths, or on steep hills near the crops The current outreach efforts mentioned future. The mitigation strategy outlined here needing pollination. Increasing suitable above are based on locally obtained data aims to reduce tacit reliance on a single habitat in these areas is highly successful and are relevant mainly to growers in pollinator species and augment native bee at encouraging bee nesting, with a 135% the Pennsylvania and New Jersey region. populations, simultaneously compensating increase on average in number of bees Similar efforts are going on in Michigan, for lost pollination services and increasing found in restored roadsides from those California and elsewhere. Nationwide insect biodiversity on farms. found in non-restored sites (Hopwood implementation of this strategy requires 2008). replication of the research done on In order to locally promote this strategy, a Pennsylvania and New Jersey pollinator group of researchers from Rutgers University The second component entails providing communities (see Winfree et al. 2008) and Bryn Mawr College quantified the preferred nesting substrates near foraging throughout the US such that farmers in presence and visitation rates of 78 native resources. Depending on the bees one is all parts of the country can benefit from bee species on 29 farms in Pennsylvania trying to attract, three different kinds of knowing the top native pollinators in their and New Jersey. Their data, along with nesting substrates will need to be provided: area and how to support them. Researchers previous studies, were used to rank native wood, suitable ground areas, and pre- can help by carrying out these studies bees according to their importance (here existing cavities. It is important to keep and farmers have a role in implementing determined by population abundance) for in mind that foraging resources should be targeted bee habitat restoration based on 11 Pennsylvania and New Jersey fruit and planted within the flight range of the bees’ the studies’ results. These efforts can help vegetable crops. They found that increasing nesting sites, which varies from as little as ensure secure, sustainable and affordable the presence of native bees on farms could a few hundred yards for small sweat bees production of a huge variety of cash crops compensate completely for lost honeybees such as Lassioglossum to over four miles for including apples, watermelon, peppers, in certain geographical areas (Winfree et large bees like Bombus (bumble bees). tomatoes, berries, nuts, and even soy. al. 2008). These results and information on the biological needs of the most important The third component requires that farmers About the Author local native bee populations are currently know how different land management Emily McGlynn is a Research Assistant with being distributed to PA and NJ farmers strategies can affect bee populations, the Ecology Lab at Bryn Mawr College in through an outreach pamphlet, encouraging including which pesticides and herbicides Pennsylvania. local adoption of this strategy (see “Native (if any) to use on their crops. These Bee Benefits”). chemicals can negatively impact bees, both Author’s Picks for Further Reading when sprayed directly on them, and when McGlynn, E., Williams, N.M. and Winfree, The Three Strategy Components collected by bees from sprayed flowers. R. 2009. “Native Bee Benefits: How to There are three components of implementing The former can kill a bee immediately, but Increase Native Bee Pollination on this strategy on farms: the latter contaminates the food supply of Your Farm in Several Simple Steps.” NE 1. Increasing preferred foraging the entire hive if brought back by foragers, Sustainable Agriculture Research and resources (i.e. food, which for bees is killing many bees or the brood over a Education, Burlington, VT. ; nectar and pollen from flowers); period of weeks (Delaplane 2000). Highly ( http://entomology.ucdavis.edu/news/ nativebeepamphlet.pdf)

Nov. 2009 Rural Connections 34 Advocating Native Bee Pollination

May 2009

Author’s Picks for Further Reading (con’t) References Winfree, R., Williams, N.M., Gaines, H., Allen-Wardell, G., Bernhardt, P., Bitner, R., Burquez, Bryn Mawr College and Rutgers University Ascher, J., Kremen, C. 2008. Wild bee A., Buchmann, S., Cane, J., Cox, P.A., Dalton, V., Feinsinger, P., Ingram, M., Inouye, D., Kennedy, K., Native Bee Benefits pollinators provide the majority of crop Jones, C.E., Kevan, P., Koopowitz, H., Medellin, farm in visitation across land use gradients in R., Medellin-Morales, S., Nabhan, G.P., Pavlik, B., How to increase native bee Tepedino, V., Torchio, P., Walker, S. 1998. The pollination on your New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Journal of several simple steps Applied Ecology. 45:793-802. potential consequences of pollinator declines on the conservation of biodiversity and stability of food For Pennsylvania and New Jersey Farmers crop yields. Conservation Biology. 12(1):8-17. Why are native-thirds of beescrop varieties important? require animal Insect pollination services are a highly important , Allen-Wardell, G., Bernhardt, P., Bitner, R., agricultural input.for production Two1,2,3 Bees and are many the most crops important have higher pollinators quality afterin pollination 7 Almond Board of California. 2008. California insect pollination. In this pamphlet find out… ecosystems. They facilitate4,5,6 Estimated reproduction value ofand their improve pollination seed Burquez, A., Buchmann, S., Cane, J., Cox, bees most - 263 million each year. Almond Facts. [http://www.almondboard.com/files/ you can set for half of Pennsylvania’s and Pennsylvania New Jersey’s and top New fruit Jersey and have vegetable commodities. P.A., Dalton, V., Feinsinger, P., 40% respectively in PA and The most effective native services range from $6 - many CA%20Almond%20Facts%20April%202008,%20  Honeybee numbers in 10 Although in PA and NJ and how to - 48%8,9,10 and These17 losses are much higher than identify them been declining over the past several years. Beekeepers recorded 11,12 Ingram, M., Inouye, D., Kennedy, K., Jones, in previous years. letterhead.FINAL.pdf]. 1 December 2008. overwinter losses of 26 Their habitat and foraging NJ between 2006 and 2009.  C.E., Kevan, P., Koopowitz, H., Medellin, needs the typical rent 15% managed losses seenhoneybees to increase crop yield and quality, farmers costs of rented bee colonies surveys of small to medium size PA and NJ farms have shown that Blossom to Harvest. “Honey Bee Pollination Services.” Strategies for encouraging e number and diversityrising of native bees, PA and NJ R., Medellin-Morales, S., Nabhan, G.P.,  native bees provide a substantial portion of pollination services. their presence on your farm 2005. [http://www.blossomtoharvest.com/index. By increasing th farmers may be able to counter Pavlik, B., Tepedino, V., Torchio, P., Walker, Sources of funding html?crop.html?Raspberry]. 1 December 2008.  while supporting sustainable native plant and pollinator plant individuals of thehave communities. different healthier and more genetically watermelon,) flowers, which or makes for S. 1998. The potential consequences of Why is insect transfer pollenpollination between so important? (female 1 efficientlycross pollination fruit producingpollination from a different Bees can This ) and - species. ations. It also(male helps crops such as pollinator declines on the conservation of California Agricultural Statistics Service. 2007. same plant popul -incompatibility”). diverse “California Agricultural Commissioners’ Data.” separate for pollen which providing manyvariety varieties (called require“self cross biodiversity and stability of food crop apples, yields. Conservation Biology. 12(1):8-17. [www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/California/ Publications/AgComm/200708cactb00.xls]. 1

December 2008. “Native Bee Benefits” pamphlet: ;beebiology.ucdavis.edu/NATIVEBEES/ Delaplane, K.S., Mayer, D.F. 2000. Crop Pollination By Bees. New York: CABI. Losey, J.E., Vaughan, M. 2006. The Economic Value of index.html Ecological Services Provided by Insects. BioScience. Hopwood, J.L. 2008. The contribution of roadside 56(4):311-323. grassland restorations to native bee conservation. Biological Conservation. 141:2632-2640. Morse, R.A., Calderone, N.W. 2000. The value of honey bees as pollinators of US crops in 2000. Bee Klein, A., Vaissiére, B.E., Cane, J.H., Steffan-Dewenter, Culture. 128:2-15. I., Cunningham, S.A., Kremen, C., Tscharntke, T. 2007. Importance of pollinators in changing landscapes Roubik, D. W., editor. 1995. Pollination of cultivated for world crops. Proceedings of the Royal Society of plants in the tropics. Food and Agricultural London, Series B. 274: 303-313. Organization service bulletin 118. Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome. Kodad, O., Socias, R. 2008. Fruit set evaluation for self-compatibility selection in almond. Scientia Vaughan, M. Black, S.H. 2007. Agroforestry Horticulturae. 118(3):260-265. Notes: Pesticide Considerations For Native Bees In Agroforestry. USDA National Agroforestry Center. AF Note 35.

Winfree, R., Williams, N.M., Gaines, H., Ascher, J., Kremen, C. 2008. Wild bee pollinators provide the majority of crop visitation across land use gradients in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Journal of Applied Ecology. 45:793-802.

...... Costs of honeybee hives will continue to rise if CCD and other hive management problems continue, requiring that farmers spend more revenue on a less reliable input......

35 Rural Connections Nov. 2009 Advocating Native Bee Pollination

May 2009

The most efficient native bees for top regional fruits and vegetables.12,13 Bryn Mawr College and Rutgers University Native Bee Benefits All these bees are good pollinators, but three stars (***) indicates a key pollinator for that crop. Supporting a variety of bee species will help maintain reliable pollination of crops season after season. A farm in good goal would be to attract as diverse a collection of bees as possible. How to increase native bee pollination on your several simple steps

For Pennsylvania and New Jersey Farmers

Why are native-thirds of beescrop varieties important? require animal

Insect pollination services are a highly important , agricultural input.for production Two1,2,3 Bees and are many the most crops important have higher pollinators quality afterin pollination Bee 7 insect pollination. In this pamphlet find out… ecosystems. They facilitate4,5,6 Estimated reproduction value ofand their improve pollination seed bees most you can - 263 million each year. set for half of Pennsylvania’s and Pennsylvania New Jersey’s and top New fruit Jersey and have Apple Pepper

Species Squash vegetable commodities. Tomato The most effective native -40% respectively in PAmany and Crops Blueberry services range from $6 Cranberry  Honeybee numbers in 10 Cucumber 48% and 17 Although Strawberry in PA and NJ and how to - 8,9,10 These losses are much higher than Muskmelon Watermelon identify them been declining over the past several years. Beekeepers recorded 11,12 in previous years. overwinter losses of 26 Their habitat and foraging NJ between 2006 and 2009.  needs the typical rent 15% managed losses seenhoneybees to increase crop yield and quality, farmers costs of rented bee colonies surveys of small to medium size PA and NJ farms have shown that Strategies for encouraging e number and diversityrising of native bees, PA and NJ  native bees provide a substantial portion of pollination services. Andrena (multiple species) * ** * their presence on your farm By increasing th farmers may be able to counter Sources of funding  while supporting sustainable native plant and pollinator plant individuals of thehave communities. different healthier and more genetically watermelon,) flowers, which or makes for Augochlora pura *** ** ** ** Why is insect transfer pollenpollination between so important? (female 1 Bee importance efficiently cross pollination fruit producingpollination from a different Bees can This ) and - species. ations. It also(male helps crops such as same plant popul -incompatibility”). for crop diverse separate for pollen which providing manyvariety varieties (called require“self cross Augochlorella striata *** ** * ** ** apples, pollination Bombus (multiple species) * * *** * ** ** ***

* Good Bombus impatiens * ** ** *** * ** ** ***

Ceratina (multiple species) * ** Better Colletes inaequalis * **

Habropoda laboriosa *** *** Best

Halictus confusus *** * ** **

Lasioglossum (Dialictus) * ** *** ** *** ***

Peponapis pruinosa * *** *

Xylocopa virginica **

How do I attract these bees to my farm?

There are two key things that would likely increase support for native bees on PA and NJ farmland:  Grow recommended native plants that studies have shown are preferred by bees in order to attract more pollinators to your property (see page 6).  Establish areas of suitable pollinator habitat around the farm. This will allow more bees to nest on your property and encourage their return year after year (see page 7). The rest of this pamphlet provides guidelines for what you can do to make your farm a bee haven.

5

Excerpt from “Native Bee Benefits” pamphlet. Available for download at; beebiology.ucdavis.edu/NATIVEBEES/index.html

Nov. 2009 Rural Connections 36

Rural Connections

Past issues of Rural Connections are available on the WRDC website or by contacting our offices.

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Amenity-Driven Economic Development April 2007

Quality of Life Attributes Spur Growth September 2006

Western Rural Poverty April 2006

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