Community Engagement

I see community engagement as integral to meaningful social transformation and foundational for engaged pedagogy. As such, community engagement is central to what I do both inside and outside of the classroom.

I am currently a Fitz Faculty Fellow at the Fitz Center for Leadership in Community at the University of Dayton. As a faculty fellow, I am working with Cross Over Community Development (COCD), in collaboration with other Dayton area nonprofits and local officials, to establish the Center for Urban Farming (CUF). This is an endeavor poised to address the pressing challenges faced by immigrant, refugee, and underserved communities in Dayton, especially those in neighborhoods struggling with food insecurity. The collaboration between COCD, the University of Dayton, and community members is crucial for the success of CUF. UD is providing professional and research support to address the multifaceted nature of food insecurity, integrating educational programs on nutrition, gardening skills, language proficiency, and policy advocacy. CUF aims to leverage the underutilized farming skills of immigrants and refugees from agriculturally rich countries to address challenges resulting from food deserts in Dayton. By pooling resources and expertise, this collaboration aims to establish a sustainable farming and food system education center that will enable capacity development, community engagement, environmental stewardship, equitable access to healthy food, and neighborhood security.

Aside from the important deliverables of the project (e.g., addressing food insecurity and advocating for important policy changes), this project resonates with me because it is premised upon a community-driven collaborative approach. This approach is consistent with research methods that I value and defend, both in theory and practice (e.g., “Participatory Action Research”). Additionally, my overarching research plan advocates for empowerment through democratization, i.e., the cultivation of inclusive collective decision-making processes (self-determination) and conditions for capacity development and meaningful social contribution (self-development), which is at the heart of the mission of CUF. 

The collaborative approach of CUF aims to integrate diverse expertise, resources, and networks, to create a comprehensive urban farming model premised upon reciprocity and conviviality, by promoting and facilitating:

1. Expertise Integration: The University of Dayton will contribute to research, policy advocacy, and sustainable farming practices. Cross Over Community Development will provide insights into immigrant and refugee community needs, and agricultural experts (many of whom are immigrants or refugees) will offer practical farming knowledge.
2. Resource Sharing: Physical spaces, financial support, and materials such as seeds and tools will be pooled from various sources, including grants and community donations, to support the initiative.
3. Network Expansion: The combined networks of the partners will enhance outreach, engage local governments for policy advocacy, and connect with health organizations to address nutrition and health equity.
4. Multidisciplinary Collaboration: This approach combines agriculture, public health, community development, and policy advocacy, ensuring a well-rounded and holistic response to urban farming challenges.
5. Collaborative Governance: A governance model that includes all partners ensures shared decision-making, aligning the initiative with the collective goal of improving food security, promoting health equity, and empowering communities through urban agriculture.