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Workshop Helps Valley Residents Gain Knowledge on Starting Farm or Ranch

By Melissa Blair, NRCS Public Affairs Specialist

For the 25 attendees at the Hope House at the Yaweh’s All Natural Farm and Ranch workshop in Harlingen in April, it was an exciting time of learning what resources are available to assist in achieving their goal of farming, ranching or even large scale gardening. Some came because they were already working with Yaweh owners Diana and Saul Padilla, and wanted to learn more about the programs the Padilla’s use to accomplish their successes. Others came because they had agricultural land and wanted to know what resources were available to help them start farming or ranching.

Diana Padilla opened the workshop by sharing how she and her husband, Saul, have worked with the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to improve their agricultural production and water usage through land leveling, a drip irrigation system, a rain water harvester, seasonal high tunnel and grass planting.

The free event was hosted by the Texas Mexico Border Coalition and the NRCS through USDA’s StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity Initiative, of which Texas is one of 21 states within the initiative. NRCS Public Affairs Specialist, Melissa Blair, shared with the group how through StrikeForce, NRCS is working with more farmers and ranchers than ever in communities that face persistent poverty. As a result, these producers are seeing their operations become more sustainable while their conservation practices help promote clean air and water, healthy soils and wildlife habitat.

Diana Padilla talks about installing the seasonal high tunnel themselves and vegetables grown. Workshop attendees in front of the seasonal high tunnel.

NRCS Agronomist, Bruce Henderson, enlightened the audience about the importance of soil health in a productive and sustainable farm or ranch, as well as how birds, bees and pollinators also help improve vegetable and crop production. Cameron County District Conservationist, Oz Longoria, shared how NRCS can provide technical and financial assistance for conservation planning to improve the natural resources, soil health, help develop pollinator habitat or for installing seasonal higher tunnels. Henderson and Longoria also shared how NRCS can help with organic and transitioning to organic production. The workshop wrapped up with a tour of the Padilla’s seasonal high tunnel which featured tomatoes, peppers and an assortment of vegetables that attendees were able to enjoy as appetizers during the workshop.

Agronomist Bruce Henderson shares about NRCS pollinator initiative and soil health at workshop. Workshop attendees were able to enjoy the vegetables from the Padilla's season high tunnel.

One attendee, Jesse Sanchez Jr. from Mission, came to learn what he could do to put his grandfather’s dormant agricultural land back into production He was excited to make contacts and learn about the resources available to help him prevent costly mistakes and lost time.

“In fact, the next day I already had the ball rolling by making visits to the USDA-NRCS and Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices in Edinburg, where I ran into a rancher friend who was working with both agencies,” said Sanchez. “I was able to gather more helpful information for my endeavor and learn about more benefits of working with USDA agencies to help me accomplish my goals.”