Ronni Rena Brasher, the Extension coordinator for Fayette County is fighting food insecurity one family at a time. She learned through a grassroots meeting that some county residents were struggling to purchase food when their local grocery store closed. The nearest options for purchasing fruits and vegetables were more than 3 miles away, and there was no access to public transportation.
Ronni Rena took this problem to heart and went to battle for the people in her community. Through the formation of a committee and by receiving a grant, Fayette County Extension and local partners worked to move the local farmers market to a location where these residents can now walk to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables.
“At the heart of our Extension mission lies a deep commitment to service, driven by the relationships we cultivate. I feel truly privileged to be part of an organization where I can work alongside and serve my neighbors and community members. Whether we’re supporting local farmers and landowners, educating youth and community members, or tackling challenges like diabetes and food insecurity, our collaboration with neighbors and community partners strengthens our ability to achieve shared goals. Together, we can accomplish so much more!” — Ronni Rena Brasher
Ronni Rena has also helped facilitate the installation of a raised-bed garden at the housing authority, in a partnership between the housing authority and the Fayette County Extension Office. Residents were able to harvest more than 530 pounds of produce from the garden in 2023. This community initiative also generated interest in public transportation, ultimately contributing to the launch of Fayette’s new public transportation program.
Ronni Rena believes in the mission of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, which provides resources and programming for all Alabama residents
Ronni Rena’s fight to create more accessible food in her community is just one of the many ways to discover food fights. Whether it is helping people Grow More, Give More or partnering with others to start a community garden, an Alabama Extension educator in your area is working to find practical solutions, provide opportunities, and empower people. Discover more at www.aces.edu/discover.
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