RESEARCH

Creating a Sense of Belonging for Hispanic Farmers and Farmworkers in Agricultural Programming

A three-workshop training series aimed to help agricultural educators better connect with Hispanic farmers and farmworkers. The workshops, attended by 22-25 participants over a year, focused on increasing knowledge and skills for creating welcoming agricultural programming for Hispanic farming communities.

Program Types: Social

Population Groups: Immigrants/Refugees

Setting or Context: Farms

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Increased Sense of Belonging (Reduced Isolation), Increased Social Engagement & Skills

Allied Profession Intersections: Education

Type of Activity: Vocational Skill Development

Evidence Type: Qualitative Research, Quantitative Research

Measurement and Evaluation: Patient-Reported Outcomes, Program Effectiveness

Access: Free

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Summary

This article describes a three-workshop training series aimed at helping agricultural educators better connect with Hispanic farmers and farmworkers. The series involved 22-25 participants, primarily Penn State Extension educators, and took place over a one-year period. The workshops focused on increasing knowledge and skills for planning, designing, advertising, and delivering agricultural programs that are inviting to Hispanic farming communities.

The workshops included presentations from experts on inclusion, Latino community studies, and organizations experienced in working with Hispanic farming audiences. Participants engaged in guided activities and facilitated discussions to develop strategies for creating welcoming programming. Activities included identifying barriers to participation, upgrading skills for working with Hispanic audiences, and applying new knowledge to program planning. The series was highly rated by participants, with one stating it was the best diversity workshop in their 22-year career. A follow-up survey one year after the final workshop showed that the majority of respondents had made efforts to build relationships with Hispanic farmers and farmworkers through agricultural programming.

Link

Sanchez, E., Gorgo-Gouravitch, M., & Stivers, L. (2019). Creating a sense of belonging for Hispanic farmers and farmworkers in agricultural programming. HortTechnology, 29(4).

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