Founder of H.O.P.E. Small Farms for Sustainability Before being full-time operator/co-owner of Yahweh's All-Natural Farm and Garden, Mrs. Padilla worked for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security She currently serves as grant administrator and is responsible for maintaining the new and beginning farmers. She serves as community outreach coordinator and as instructional training coordinator for these farmers and the youth program. She is an experienced chef in the use of diverse plants in the preparation of culturally traditional dishes and has coordinated with Texas AgriLife Extension Service in developing a cooking training and nutrition program. As an entrepreneur, she recognizes that the development of a multi-farm cooperative of local organic producers can serve existing and new markets, and has recently established the “Valley Green Growers Coop” with previous years’ the new and begging farmers who have completed the HOPE organic farm training program. Through HOPE, Mrs. Padilla created three projects: (a) An Organic Farming Course that offered to train those with limited access to land on how to grow enough organic vegetables to feed their families and have a little extra to sell. For those Socio Economic Status (SES) families taking the classes without land they were provided a plots at little or no charge; (b) an approved Commercial Kitchen for shared use in providing nutritional meals and as a classroom for instructing food sanitation, food safety and food preparation and as a research lab for creating value-added products; and (c) an Organic Farmer’s Market for providing the community organically grown products.
Dr Mercado gave us a presentation on the 8 Essentials of Leadership. We had a little fun with her guinea pig, Bob Grider. We established that Bob is a task-oriented planner, but is also a People Person that utilizes both sides of his brain in his unique brand of leadership. According to Rosalinda, the 8 Essentials of good leadership include being an Intentional Leader, Sharing a Vision, having Clarity of Rules and Processes, Trust, Diversity & Inclusiveness, Commitment, Accountability, and Learning & Continuing Improvement. Bob certainly intends to be a good leader and regularly shares his vision unilaterally. All kidding aside, we thank Dr. Mercado for her presentation, and Bob for being a wonderful leader and a willing participant for our entertainment last week.
Bulletin
Joseph Woellhof will be putting our bulletin together. If you have a Rotary event or item you would like in the bulletin, please contact Joseph at joseph.woellhof@xerox.com