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University of Arizona Graham County Cooperative Extension

We have the amazing opportunity to partner with The University of Arizona Graham County Cooperative Extension office by presenting a check for $81,751 for an AmeriCorps project to focus on four program areas and community partners. It will host a total of 11 AmeriCorps volunteers over a period of three years for various community organizations. These organizations have a direct impact on the citizens of Graham County, both youth and adults.

Involved in this AmeriCorps project include:

Family, Consumer, & Health Sciences (FCHS) personnel deliver programs to the community of Graham County to build strong families, strong minds, and strong bodies by providing valuable up-to-date information from the University of Arizona to the people of Graham County through programs, research and education in the areas of Youth and Family Development, Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Community Development.

Gila Watershed Partnership (GWP) is a nonprofit organization serving Graham and Greenlee counties in Arizona. Our mission is to engage the community in improving the water quality and ecosystem condition of the Upper Gila Watershed through education and economic opportunity. Examples of this include habitat restoration projects along the Gila River, water quality monitoring along the San Francisco River, a citizen science program for Tamarisk Leaf Beetle monitoring, internships, and community partnerships with local organizations that have similar missions.

Our Neighbors Farm & Pantry (ONFP) mission is to bring food to those in need, grow food for those in need, educate our youth, and house NCCC members during their service to Graham County. Local AmeriCorps members help to fulfill this mission by working with school groups, working in the garden, and helping in the pantry when needed. One of ONF&P AmeriCorps members is not only the garden manager but also the education manager. She works 20 AmeriCorps hours with her team member and an additional 20+ hours for ONF&P. Without her and other AmeriCorps members, there would be no garden nor an education program.

In 4‑H, we believe in the power of young people. We see that every child has valuable strengths and real influence to improve the world around us.  Arizona 4‑H is delivered by the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension—which provides experiences where young people learn by doing. Kids complete hands-on projects in areas like healthy living, STEM, agriculture, and citizenship in a positive environment where they receive guidance from adult mentors and are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles.  Inspiring the next generation of leaders, inventors, entrepreneurs, and problem-solvers, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary.

“The ultimate goals of the Graham County Cooperative Extension AmeriCorps volunteer program is to increase the well being of citizens of the County through effective educational programming in various areas of emphasis including youth development, healthy lifestyle habits, preservation and conservation of natural resources, and home food production and preservation.  These programs have been shown to have significant impacts on the lives of their stakeholders and clients.” – Randy Norton.

We are honored and very excited to see what these organizations can accomplish with these volunteers!

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