In the third year of the project, HOPE engaged over 869 BFR individuals in person and virtually, providing farming and
ranching training. Adding our digital imprint, including our website and socials, expanded our reach up to 73,969 (869
engagements + 73,100 digital engagements). These numbers were obtained through various channels including social media, workshops, conferences, and our cohorts. An example of the positive impact we have had on our participants is Sandy Woods. Sandy Woods, a new permaculture micro farmer in Harlingen, Texas, passed by the HOPE farm while running
errands. Her curiosity led her inside, where she consulted with HOPE's founder, Diana Garcia-Padilla. With the
encouragement and instruction on farming techniques in the LRGV provided during her consultations, Woods learned valuable techniques about growing in the Rio Grande Valley that have allowed her to now sell her organically grown dragonfruit, bananas, berry jams, and many other value-added products at HOPE's indoor farmers market.
In the second year, our
program has engaged over 1,150 BFR individuals in person, providing farming and
ranching training. Factoring in our digital outreach, including social media
and online lessons, our reach expands to over 79,000 individuals. These numbers
were obtained through various channels including social media, workshops,
conferences, and our 6-week BFR cohorts, the latter of which has seen the
participation of 68 individuals.
The number of individuals participating
in our cohorts did not significantly increase in our second year, however, HOPE
saw an increase in the number of participants who were committed to learning on a higher level and found greater success in their farming ventures.
An example of the positive
impact our practical skills workshops are having is the success of Daniel Reza, the owner and
operator of Green Wing Microgreens. Shortly after Reza started growing
microgreens for his family, he happened upon HOPE’s social media post for an “Intro
to Growing Food” workshop. Reza says he learned more about the magic of soil,
about proper tool usage, and the importance of the foundation he is using to
grow his microgreens. With his enhanced knowledge and opportunities found at HOPE, he has now added an additional source of revenue to his household. He not only sells his organically grown microgreens at area famer’s
markets up to four times each month, but now, here at HOPEs indoor market, his
products are available for sale to the public four days a week.
As we move into the third year,
we plan to invite more guest experts to speak at our workshops, provide more
individualized training and personal visits with growers, and offer more online
resources for farmers across the region to be successful in the field, as well
as in operating their farming businesses.