California

California AgrAbility team member Mauricio Guerrero-Villanueva has been working to facilitate a project in ag communities to coordinate gardening and mental health events. Community members were invited to participate in a community talk, called Pláticas Comunitarias, held in Spanish both virtually and in-person. The goal of the talk was to hear firsthand from community members to learn about mental health concerns and the extent to which appropriate services exist, to understand what they would like to see at a mental health and gardening event, and to serve as a supportive space where they could gather and build a community bond. Throughout the talk, participants were given tools and tips to support their mental health and wellbeing.

During the month of May, the California AgrAbility team visited a local produce farm to share information about the AgrAbility program and services available within the community. Team members also conducted outreach at local migrant centers with community partner Migrant Education to provide farmworkers with educational and informational AgrAbility materials. At the migrant center, the team was joined by a local dental office distributing dental hygiene supplies.

California AgrAbility's Esme Mandujano was interviewed by a local web TV program, Escucha y Hazle La Lucha (Listen and Persevere), to talk about the California AgrAbility Program. Esme and host Juan Manuel Garcia discussed the services and resources the program provides to agricultural workers throughout the state, as well as outreach initiatives and educational tools, such as the diabetes and farming novela. Click here to watch the recorded interview in Spanish.

Submitted by California AgrAbility Project