Growing Together: One Team s Experience with Interdisciplinary Programming in SNAP-Ed Christine Hradek, MPH State Coordinator SNAP-Ed Susan DeBlieck, MS Program Assistant Iowa Master Gardener Program
Our Team Denny Schrock, Cindy Haynes, Laura Irish, Christine Hradek, Shannon Coleman, Susan DeBlieck
Our Team Christine Hradek, State SNAP-Ed Coordinator Susan DeBlieck, Program Assistant, Master Gardener Denny Schrock, State Master Gardener Coordinator Cindy Haynes, Associate Professor, Department of Horticulture Shannon Coleman, Assistant Professor/Extension Specialist, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition Laura Irish, Graduate Research Assistant
Food Insecurity The state of being without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food procured through socially acceptable ways.
Food Insecurity in Iowa One in eight Iowans is food insecure. (insert map with highlighted counties)
Quick show of hands (stand?) Please raise your hand if you are familiar with SNAP-Ed at your university. How about Master Gardener?
SNAP-Education Grant Iowans who experience poverty are at higher risk of chronic disease and obesity. Our job is to educate families about healthy behaviors and make those behaviors easier to do.
Master Gardener Mission Provide current, research-based, home horticulture information and education Master Gardeners extend Extension s education programs through volunteer service
Leap of Faith Could two large programs with different administrative requirements, audiences and leadership tackle the problem of food insecurity together?
Starting from Assets SNAP-Ed Federal funding Hunger and nutrition expertise Connections within the food banking system Master Gardener Volunteer network with gardening skills Gardens Educational training opportunities
Addressing Needs SNAP-Ed Small staff Capacity focused on direct education but need to address systemic issues related to healthy food access Master Gardener Small State Staff Funding
Assets & Needs Activity 1. Identify your project or unit 2. List its assets 3. List its needs
Assets & Needs Activity 1. Identify your project or unit 2. List its assets 3. List its needs Pair up to discuss what partners within the Extension system might help you maximize your assets and address your needs.
Stronger Together Together, we can make fresh fruits and vegetables more accessible for families experiencing poverty in Iowa.
Keys to Successful Collaboration
Partners are flexible and creative
The right people are at the table throughout the project
Impact first, credit second
High level leadership values collaboration
Partners are accountable to each other
Collaborating across Silos 1. List some systems within your university that promote partnership and collaboration 2. List some systems or factors make it difficult
Our collaboration has four major players.
Human Sciences Extension ISU Research Farms Access to Fruits and Vegetables Ag and Natural Resources Extension Department of Horticulture
Project Components 1. Knowledge: Provide webinars on food security and steps they can take to address hunger. 2. Behavior: Plant model donation gardens on research farms. 3. Capacity: Fund projects focused on providing healthy foods to families experiencing poverty.
Demonstration
Demonstration Gardens Strategic planting and donation of 10 crops
Mini Grants Grow Convert, maintain or start a donation garden.
Mini Grants Connect Bring growers and food pantries together to determine methods of cooperation. Start a food rescue among local growers.
Mini Grants Teach Provide food gardening education to individuals who seek services from food banks or pantries.
Funded Projects
Bremer: Waverly Community Garden
Woodbury: Up from the Earth
Dubuque: Sageville School Garden
Measuring Impact Year 1 Pounds/servings of produce donated to food pantries in Iowa. Qualitative feedback from ISU Research Farm superintendents. Stories from Master Gardeners and food pantry staff about the project s community impact.
What s next?
What questions do you have for us?
Contact Us Christine Hradek, MPH State Coordinator, SNAP-Ed Hradek@iastate.edu Susan DeBlieck, MS Program Assistant, Master Gardener Deblieck@iastate.edu