January 18 – The Healthy Houston Initiative (HHI) recently committed to a day of service on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by cleaning the garden at Houston Independent School District’ Dogan Elementary School in preparation for the Community Agriculture School Sustainability Program (CASSP).
Led by Prairie View A&M University Cooperative Extension Program (CEP) Harris County 4-H Extension Agent Jeremy Peaches, the HHI team worked alongside community volunteers and staff from the school and HISD.
The group transformed the garden by pulling weeds, vegetables, and chopping and trimming trees. Volunteers cleaned about 15 bags of plant materials and three bags of trash, and tree brush. 
Approximately 15 volunteers assisted at the event, including members from CEP, Senator Boris Miles, HISD Miles Ahead scholars, Dogan Elementary parents, and the Healthy Houston Initiative team.
According to Peaches, the project is an opportunity to build strong relationships with schools and community-serving organizations, while creating a sense of partnership in keeping the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Thanks to the project, the school is prepared for the CASSP, which is designed to teach the youth about innovative growing systems such as aquaponics and hydroponics and the economic, social, and environmental considerations of agricultural production systems. Participants in the program will also learn about the basics of gardening, agriculture entrepreneurship, and developing a marketing plan.
The Healthy Houston Initiative seeks to improve health, nutrition, and wellness in limited-resource communities throughout Houston. Those communities are Third Ward, Acres Homes, Sunnyside, Alief-Westwood, Kashmere Gardens, Magnolia Park-Manchester, and Second Ward in the Houston area.
Karras Mayes
Houston Healthy Initiative, Extension Associate
kbmayes@pvamu.edu
(713) 797-7034