Marshallese Farmer Educates Community About Diabetes and Provides Food

Marshallese Farmer Educates Community About Diabetes and Provides Food

Lucy, a Springdale resident, is on a mission to combat these alarming statistics through nutrition and farming. Rather than selling her harvest, Lucy donates it to her local Marshallese community. She also shares pre-diabetic information, cooking tips, and farming knowledge. The farming tips are helpful since the RMI growing environment is very different from Arkansas. This presents a challenge for those trying to grow their native crops here and prepare familiar dishes after relocating. The Marshallese community in Arkansas has the disease at a shockingly higher rate of 40% compared to only 15% in the state’s general population.

Exploring Farming Options at CAFF Farm School

Exploring Farming Options at CAFF Farm School

Basia loves being outdoors and cooking healthy food. “I was never one of those people who knew exactly what I wanted to do with my life. I’m still figuring that out, but farming brings together many things I love doing.” The program has given her an opportunity to explore options for building a business around her various interests.

Military Veteran Merges Farming Interest with Teaching

Military Veteran Merges Farming Interest with Teaching

Melanee, a military veteran, enrolled in the CAFF Farm School to develop an urban micro-farm on an under utilized half-acre on her school’s property. The project, dubbed Hide and Seek Farm, will provide learning opportunities for her young charges and nutritious food for school meals. The school currently serves organic food and places a standard grocery order each week. Melanee hopes to grow much of the school’s food in the future.

Veteran Chases Her Farm Dream in Arkansas

Veteran Chases Her Farm Dream in Arkansas

As a child, Rori was drawn to farming. While growing up in Noble, Oklahoma, her family didn’t farm. So, studying agriculture was never presented to her as a possibility. Instead, she went on to study art and eventually joined the Navy, serving for fourteen years. Afterward, with a child to support, she worked in the New Mexico oil fields. Throughout it all, the desire to farm remained a constant for Rori. She wanted to learn how to grow food for her family and community. This led to attending the CAFF Farm School on a Hometown Heroes Scholarship.