Category: Cooperative Extension
Connecting People and Plants
February 18, 2022 Written by Michele Walfred, Communications Specialist
A key component to Delaware Cooperative Extension’s success in the First State is achieved through the community partnerships they cultivate. Leveraging resources and coordinating services to Delawareans is a hallmark of community outreach. Nowhere was the value of partnerships more evident than Delaware Urban Farm and Food Coalition’s (DEUFFC) signature event during Delaware Agriculture Week.
For the 2022 meeting, the DEUFFCC partners selected to focus on the health and wellness of local communities. While the connection between food and health may appear to be an obvious one, outreach is ongoing as are challenges to reach all levels of consumers. Efforts continue to connect partners and agencies with a shared commitment to make a tangible difference in the lives of Delawareans, particularly those in urban settings.
“This program reflects the interconnectivity of plants and people, and the opportunity to continue to work together in urban agriculture to enhance our collective efforts,” said Carrie Murphy, New Castle County Extension agent and statewide program leader for Lawn and Garden outreach. Since 2007, Murphy has served as the principal Extension liaison with the Delaware Urban Farm and Food Coalition.
The coalition is a network of organizations and individuals who work together in local communities by supporting local urban agriculture projects that seek to increase access to fresh, healthy, and local foods. DEUFFC holds public events throughout the year to spread the message and mission. Now in its eighth year, one tradition features an evening session held at Wilmington’s Delaware Center for Horticulture during Delaware Agriculture Week.
Out of necessity, the last two years of the winter meeting shifted to Zoom. More than 100 registered for the two and a half hour event, which featured opening remarks from Nikko Brady of the Delaware Department of Agriculture, and Rita Landgraf, professor and director of UD Partnership for Healthy Communities, who set the stage and energy level for a panel discussion moderated by Melvina Brown of Innersource Wellness Center.
“Rita Landgraf’s presentation about the social, economic and environmental conditions that are needed to support and sustain healthy impacts really resonated with me,” said Gail Hermenau, a triple Extension volunteer who serves as a Master Gardener, Master Composter and Master Wellness educator.
Hermenau is active in the DEUFFC as well as the Delaware Farm and Food Policy Council.
“It’s an important connection to the work the coalition does, promoting and supporting urban, school and community gardens,” Hermenau added. ”Sharing resources and technical assistance helps increase access to healthy foods and to underserved populations. Urban agriculture can fill a niche and play a role in supporting a healthy food system.”
“This program reflects the interconnectivity of plants and people, and the opportunity to continue to work together in urban ag to enhance our collective efforts...”
Selecting speakers around the theme was carefully planned, Murphy said. Panelists included Michele Axe, Christiana Care, who showcased a local effort known as the Food Farmacy, Crystal Forman of Holistic Wellness and Health who shared a similar efforts in urban agriculture in Baltimore. Marc Williams, ethnobiologist and board member of Plants and Healers International and United Plant Savers, who focused on edible plants, food production and harvesting.
The choice of topic of urban agriculture’s role in community health and wellness is a poignant one. After two years of COVID-19, a silver lining was the public’s increased engagement about the origins of their food and improving accessibility to fresh, locally produced fruits and vegetables. Community partners, local producers, growers and consumers possess a vested interest in expanding access to urban food production.
“The interest in growing food, locally, in backyards and in community settings continues to grow and the DEUFFC recognizes the importance of being well positioned to respond to individual and community needs,” said Murphy. “This session is always so timely because it creates space before the busy spring season to bring our urban agricultural community together. Here, we can introduce folks to new resources, upcoming programs and training, and to provide space to network with another.”
