MU Agriculture and Environment Extension specialists continue to produce materials with Spanish-speaking Missourians in mind. Huerta Sostenible Familiar: MU Sembrador, a weekly series of online vegetable gardening classes, begins March 17 at 6:30 p.m. All 13 classes will be taught in Spanish.
“The webinar series will cover the basics in vegetable production, technical concepts to grow vegetables, safe food preparation and preservation tips, and so much more,” said Estrella Carmona, MU Extension county engagement specialist in nutrition and health. “We will also explain how growing vegetables can positively contribute to the well-being of their families and communities.”
The series is an interdisciplinary collaboration between MU Extension specialists and Alianzas. A grant from FCS Financial allows the event to be offered free to Missouri residents.
Due to a partnership with the Kansas City Community Gardens free vegetable seeds will be mailed to those who register for courses in advance.
“This generous gift greatly helps us increase engagement with this particular community,” she said. “Missourians ready to begin growing vegetables will be one step closer to their goals.”
For non-Missouri residents, the cost for all 13 classes is $100. Seeds will be mailed to individuals in surrounding states free of charge.
Extension horticulture specialist Juan Cabrera-Garcia said the courses embody MU Extension’s core mission “of improving the quality of life of all Missourians through science-based recommendations.”
“Maybe someone out there bought a piece of land wanting to achieve the American dream of becoming a commercial farmer or avid gardener,” Cabrera-Garcia said. “Maybe they want to supplement their income or just grow their own vegetables. No matter what their circumstance is, MU Extension wants to be there to help that individual achieve his or her dreams.”
Extension specialists Ramon Arancibia and Maria Rodriguez-Alcala, along with the director of Alianzas, Gerardo Martinez, will join Carmona and Cabrera-Garcia in teaching all 13 classes.
“The number of Hispanics is increasing in the state,” said Cabrera-Garcia. “With this webinar series, we want to make individuals aware that MU Extension is a great source of information in topics related to horticulture, scaling up production, community integration and development, health and nutrition, and much more.”
Recordings will be available for those who cannot attend the live sessions. For that reason, the registration deadline is May 5, after the series has officially begun.