When food insecurity impacts families, it is often older adults and grandparents who raise their grandchildren who are among the most deeply affected, according to Karleah Harris, associate professor for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Department of Human Sciences.
To address this challenge, UAPB — in collaboration with the Pine Bluff First Assembly of God and the Jefferson County Cooperative Extension Service — has launched a community initiative focused on gardening, nutrition and hands-on learning.
“Grandparents, grandchildren and community members have come together to plant a wide variety of vegetables, fruits and herbs,” Harris said. “We are growing tomatoes, okra, squash, callaloo, onions, cucumbers and watermelon, as well as a variety of peppers, greens and herbs.”
Through their efforts, participants grow fresh produce and gain essential knowledge in soil and water management, sweet potato cultivation and sustainable practices to strengthen food security.
“Beyond gardening, the project integrates education on effective parenting, intergenerational support and ‘food as medicine,'” she said. “By highlighting the connection between nutrition and overall health, the program encourages healthier eating habits to help prevent chronic diseases, improve cognitive function and reduce healthcare costs.”
Harris said the program is unique because it offers sustainable solutions to multiple generations at once. Each year she works to ensure the program expands so more families can participate in community-based interventions that directly address food insecurity.
Lillian Jynes, a grandparent participant, said she is delighted to see how a seed or a small plant grows and produces healthy food for multiple families.
“Over the years, it has been a great experience watching young children and their parents and grandparents so excited about the entire process of gardening and harvesting a variety of food,” she said. “It also decreases my monthly food costs.”
Frances Rodgers has been participating in the program with her daughter and grandson for more than a year. At first, she thought the activity was simply about planting seeds and learning how to care for them, but over time it has become more meaningful to her.
“The garden has turned into a space where we spend time together, connect with nature and learn new things side by side,” she said. “Working in the garden has taught my daughter parenting skills and patience. My grandson loves checking on the plants and seeing how much they’ve grown. It’s given him a sense of responsibility too, since he takes pride in watering, pulling weeds and helping to harvest.”
Rodgers said the program helped her family better understand food insecurity and build healthy habits such as eating the fresh foods they grow and spending more time outdoors. The project has helped her family bond and given them something to take pride in.
Out of all the duties in the community garden, James Nelson’s favorites are tilling the ground and preparing it for planting.
“Of course, I also take pleasure in watching the fruits of my labor grow and eventually harvesting them,” he said. “Growing up, gardening was viewed differently because we had to work from sunrise to sunset. Now I can do it because I want to.”
Carmel Steward, another grandparent participant, credits Harris with helping ensure that she and her granddaughters attend the gardening sessions. When they are unable to make it, Harris still helps them obtain some of the harvest.
“My granddaughters have learned many gardening techniques — planting crops in the appropriate season, watering, weeding, pruning and harvesting,” she said. “Thanks to Dr. Harris they have important skills that could help them in the future.”
Johnny Jynes said the gardening activities bring back satisfying memories of childhood.
“This helps me demonstrate to my grandchildren how to grow, harvest and eat healthy, pesticide-free food,” he said. “I also enjoy the fellowship with other parents and grandparents who work in the garden.”
Tina Jackson recalls the great joy her granddaughter expressed when planting sweet potatoes for the first time — she eagerly dug into the soil, finding comfort and joy in the earth beneath her hands, before exclaiming, “This is fun!”
Jackson said, “Through this program, generations are beautifully bridged with something that is both life-giving and lasting. My granddaughter and I will cherish these moments as part of a legacy of faith, family and growth.”
Harris manages the project along with Sathish Ponniah, professor for the UAPB Department of Agriculture, and Kevin Harris, a Jefferson County Extension agent and staff chair.
“Grandparents’ and their grandchildren’s involvement in gardening promotes the easy transfer of cultivation technology to the next generation,” Ponniah said. “In addition, gardening promotes healthy habits, from growing healthy crops to healthy eating habits — from earth to spoon.”
This project is supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (Accession No: 1026665).
Will Hehemann is with the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences.
Kristy Hatfield holds an onion over cucumber plants. (Special to The Commercial/University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff)
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