NCERA 216

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Summary of First Year Activities

Latinos, both native and foreign-born, and immigrants are in many instances newcomers to Midwestern communities. Their presence has engendered many problems of incorporation into local institutions, including the economy, education, and political arenas. Incorporation problems have arisen in part because Midwestern communities are relatively unfamiliar with Spanish-speaking populations and with non-European immigrants. In addition, globalization dynamics have negatively impacted communities across the nation and the Midwest engendering nativistic movements that target and scapegoat Latinos, the fastest growing population, for economic woes experienced by the dominant group.

In light of these developments, NCERA 216 has organized collaborative research, education, and outreach opportunities on Latinos and Immigrants in Midwestern Communities, embarking in the fall of 2009 to make significant achievements relative to each of the following objectives:

1. Catalyze Land Grant University faculty members, students, and Extension/outreach educators to collaborate in the development of knowledge and understanding of the challenges and opportunities confronting the growing Latino and immigrant populations across the communities and cities of the Midwest.
2. Strengthen the teaching, research, Extension/outreach, and public engagement capacity of the region's Land Grant and other Universities to address the needs of and promote the incorporation of the growing Latino populations and recent immigrants into Midwestern communities.
3. Advance the capacity of the region's land-grant university system to provide timely and high quality educational and training programs for Extension faculty, outreach workers and community partners working to meet the diverse needs of their communities.

At the first NCERA meeting (Nov. 4-5, 2009), the focus was on establishing the organizational infrastructure to carry out the work of the initiative. An executive board was established, including a Chair, Vice-Chair, and Communications Coordinator. Representatives were chosen for each of the following thematic areas: Family and Education, Civic Engagement, Immigrant Friendly Communities, Diversity Capacity Building, and Economic Development. Participants selected thematic areas in which to focus their work, and discussed the next steps. It was further agreed to partner with the organizers of the Cambio de Colores: Latinos in the Heartland conference to facilitate professional presentations and meetings of the NCERA. Forty-two individuals attended this first NCERA 216 meeting.

On May, 26, 2010, a mid-year meeting was held to assess progress, reaffirm efforts, and to explore collaborative ties to SERA 37 – The New Hispanic South. New participants became familiar with the initiative and its goals. Thirteen NCERA members attended along with four SERA members. It was agreed that the Cambio de Colores conference would rotate across campuses in the Midwest and that a potential co-conference would be held with the Office of Latino/Latin American Studies (OLLAS) Cumbre Conference.

Currently, NCERA 216 includes 119 members.

NOTE: All items listed were published or accomplished from October 2009 to present.

Webinars

Methodological Approaches and Considerations for Community Action Research with Latino Communities
Corinne Valdivia, Lisa Y. Flores, Steve Jeanetta, Alex Morales & Domingo Martínez
Webinar sponsored by NCERA -216 & North Central Regional Center for Rural Development (December 2012)

Books

Gold, S. P. (2010). The store in the hood: A century of ethnic business and conflict. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.

Martinez, R. O. (Ed.). (Forthcoming). Latinos in the Midwest. East Lansing, MI: Michigan State University Press. Contains 14 chapters on different aspects of the Latino experience in Midwestern communities.

Peer-Reviewed Articles

Greder, K., Sano, Y., Cook, C., Garasky, S., Ontai, L., & Ortiz, L. (2009). Exploring the relationship between transnationalism and housing and health risks or rural Latino immigrant families. Family Consumer Sciences Research Journal, 38(2), 186-207.

Horner, P., Castillo, M., Delva, J., Sanchez, N. (2010). Parental perceptions of neighborhood effects in Latino comunas: The script of —the delinquent‖ in understanding drug use, violence, and social disorganization. Substance Use and Misuse, 46 (In press).

Sano, Y., Garasky, S., Greder, K., Cook, C.C., & Browder, D. E. (2010). Understanding food security among Latino immigrant families in rural America. Journal of Family and Economic Issues. DOI: 10.1007/s10834-010-9219-y. Available online: http://www.springerlink.com/content/t3n7v68630086282/

Thompson Bello, D. (Forthcoming). —Somos del campo‖: Latino/a gardeners and farmers in two rural communities of Iowa. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development.

Valdivia, C. & Flores, L. Y. (In press). Factors affecting the job satisfaction of Latino/a immigrants in the Midwest. Journal of Career Development.

Chapters

Flora, J. L., Prado-Meza, C. M., Lewis, H., Montalvo, C.,[' Dunn, F. (Forthcoming). Impact of immigration and customs enforcement raid on Marshalltown, Iowa. In R. O. Martinez (Ed.), Latinos in the Midwest. East Lansing, MI: Michigan State University Press.

Gold, S. (2010). After the Cold War: Comparing Soviet Jewish and Vietnamese youth in the 1980s to today's young refugees. In G. Holton,[' G. Sonnert (Eds.), How to help young immigrants succeed (pp. 75-88). New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan.

Proceedings/Research Newsletters

Jordan, E. (2009). Michigan migrant housing inspection program in crisis. NEXO, 12(3), 1, 12-14.

Kayitsinga, J. (2009). Household poverty among Latinos in the Midwest: The influence of race/ethnicity, location, and local opportunity structures. NEXO, 12(3), 1, 4-9, 15-19.

Kayitsinga, J., & Martinez, R. (2010). Using technology to enhance survival skills among Latino migrant farmworkers. NEXO, 13(2), 1, 4-9, 18-19.

Martinez, R., & Escobar, R. (2010). The settlement phases of Latinos/as in Lansing. NEXO, 13(2), 1, 12-17.

Prado-Meza, C. M., Lewis, H., & Flora, J. (2010). Building capacity among immigrant farmers in a community college context. In D. Ebodaghe (Ed.), Proceedings of the 5th national Small Farm Conference September 15-17, 2009 (pp. 219-223). Springfield, IL. Available online: http://www.conferences.uiuc.edu/resources/20033/5th%20Small%20Farm%20Conf%20Proceedings%20-%205-5-10.pdf

Abstracts

Flora, J. L. & Lewis, H. (2010). Professionals as participants in their own training for work with Latino farmers. In S. Jeanetta & C. Valdivia (Eds.), Cambio de Colores. Latinos in Missouri. Conference Abstracts 2006-2008 (p. 37). Columbia, MO: Cambio Center, University of Missouri-Columbia.

Flora, J. L., Flora, C. B., & Prado-Meza, C. (2010). Putting ICE on Ice: Immigration and customs enforcement raids in Marshalltown and Postville, Iowa—Impacts and disaster preparedness. In S. Jeanetta & C. Valdivia (Eds.), Latinos in the Heartland: Proceedings of the 2009 Annual Conference (p. 28). Columbia, MO: Cambio Center, University of Missouri-Columbia. Available online: http://www.cambio.missouri.edu/Library/Publications/2009CambioDeColoresProceedingsBookWEB.pdf

Ziebarth, A. (2010). Discourse, discrimination, and domicide: A Midwest U.S. case study. In Sociology on the Move (p.550). Abstracts for the XVII World Congress of Sociology. International Sociological Association. Gothenburg, Sweden.

Theses/Dissertations

Thompson Bello, D. (2010). 'Somos del campo.' Latino/a gardeners and farmers in two rural communities of Iowa: A community capitals framework approach. Unpublished Masters Thesis. Iowa State University.

Manuscripts Under Review

Gonzales, S. M. Colonial borders, native fences: Building bridges between indigenous communities through the decolonization of the American landscape. Submitted for the edited volume of Comparative Indigeneities.

Hughes, A., Horner, P., & Vélez Ortiz, D. Being the diversity hire: Negotiating identity in an academic job search. Submitted to the Journal of Social Work Education.

Jeanetta, S., Dannerbeck, A., Valdivia, C. & Flores, L. Integration and wellbeing: Using Photovoice to engage Latino immigrants in understanding community climate. Submitted to the International Journal of Qualitative Methods.

Papers & Presentations

Fischer, G., Flora, J. L, & Chesser, L. (2010, October). Immigration: Demographic change and the effect on Iowa communities. Paper presented at the Iowa Mosaic Diversity Conference, West Des Moines, IA.

Flora, C.B., & Flora, J. L. (2010, May). Immigrant integration in rural America. Presented at the University of California Immigration Reform: Implications for Farmers, Farm Workers, and Communities conference, Washington, DC.

Flora, C.B., Flora, J. L., Thompson Bello, D., & Prado-Meza, C. (2009, November). Assets and innovation: Latino entrepreneurs in rural Iowa. Presented at the Michigan State University, Julian Samora Research Institute 20th anniversary conference: Latino/a Communities in the Midwest, East Lansing, MI.

Gold, S. (2010, August). Sebastião Salgado and visual sociology. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association, Atlanta, GA.

Horner, P., Velez Ortiz, and Buntin, J. (2010, May). Latino substance abuse and mental health: A literature review. Paper presented at the University of Missouri Cambio de Colores Conference: Latinos in the Heartland, St. Louis, MO.

Horner, P. (2010, May). Qualitative research: Understanding the approach. Lecture given at the University of Michigan Child and Family Work Group, Vivian A. and James L. Curtis School of Social Work Research and Training Center, Ann Arbor, MI.

Horner, P. (2009, November). Parental perceptions of neighborhood effects in Latino comunas. Paper presented at the 55th annual program meeting of the Council on Social Work Education, San Antonio, TX.

Horner, P. (2009, November). Latino community resistance and counter narrative. Discussant at the Michigan State University, Julian Samora Research Institute 20th anniversary conference: Latino/a Communities in the Midwest, East Lansing, MI.

Horner, P., Grogan-Kaylor, A., Delva, J., & Castillo, M. (2009, October). Understanding structural and agentic forces in tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use among Latin American adolescents. Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the National Hispanic Science Network, Miami, FL.

Jeanetta, S. C., Valdivia, C., Flores, L. Y., & Martinez, D. (2010, July). New people in rural places: Exploring the resources Latino immigrants bring to rural communities in the Midwestern US. Presentation at the 10th International conference on diversity in organizations, communities and nations, Belfast, Ireland.

Jeanetta, S. C., Martinez, D., Valdivia, C., Flores, L. Y., & Dozi, P. (2009, November). Latinos in the Midwest: Newcomers' assets, expectations and integration policies. Paper presented at the Michigan State University, Julian Samora Research Institute 20th anniversary conference: Latino/a Communities in the Midwest, East Lansing, MI.

Jeanetta, S. C., Valdivia, C., Flores, L. Y., & Dozi, P. (2010, July). The role of acculturation, context of reception and capitals in the economic integration of Latino newcomers to the Midwest in 2009. Poster presentation at the Community Development society annual conference, New Orleans, LA.

Kayitsinga, J. (2009, November). The well-being of Latinos in the Midwest: The influence of race/ethnicity, location, and local opportunity structures. Paper presented at the Michigan State University, Julian Samora Research Institute 20th anniversary conference: Latino/a Communities in the Midwest, East Lansing, MI.

Kayitsinga, J. (2010, May). Poverty and health of children from racial/ethnic minority and immigrant families in the Midwest. Paper presented at the University of Missouri Cambio de Colores Conference: Latinos in the Heartland, St. Louis, MO.

Lewis, J. (2010, May) Learning, relationships and reflections: Using ethnographic interviews for outreach and program planning. Paper presented at the Children, Youth, and Family at Risk (CYFAR) conference, San Francisco, CA.

Lewis, J. (2009, November). Learning, relationships and reflections: Using ethnographic interviews for outreach and program planning in two immigrant Latino communities in rural Wisconsin. Presented at the Wisconsin Cooperative Extension's Family Living Programs conference, Stevens Point, WI.

Martinez, R., & R. Escobar. (2010, May). The settlement phases of Latinos in Lansing, MI. Paper presented at the University of Missouri Cambio de Colores conference: Latinos in the Heartland, St. Louis, MO.

Rodríguez, A. (2009, November). Wage and self-employment income for Latinas in Idaho. Paper presented at the Michigan State University, Julian Samora Research Institute 20th Anniversary conference: Latino/a Communities in the Midwest, East Lansing, MI.

Thompson Bello, D. (2010, May). Human, cultural, and social capitals among Latino/a gardeners in Marshalltown and Denison, Iowa. Paper presented at the University of Missouri Cambio de Colores conference: Latinos in the Heartland, St. Louis, MO.

Valdivia, C., & Dozi, P. (2010). The role of acculturation, context of reception and capitals in the economic integration of Latino newcomers to the Midwest in 2009. Poster presentation at the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association annual meeting, Denver, CO.

Velez-Ortiz, D., Horner, P. (2010, October). Reconsidering evaluating a health education program for obese Latino/a children. Paper presented at the 56th annual program meeting of the Council on Social Work Education: Promoting Sustainability in Social Work. Portland, OR.

Works in Progress (2010)

Horner, P., Grogan-Kaylor, A., Delva, J., Castillo, M. Understanding structural and agentic forces in tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use among Latin American adolescents.

Grant Proposals

Submissions – Funded 2010

Flora, C., & Flora, J. Co-P.I.s, subcontract from Aguirre Division of JBS International, Inc., 16, —Rural Development in Regions Heavily Impacted by Immigration,‖ submitted to USDA/CSREES, NRI Rural Development, ISU Share = $124,000, October 1, 2008-Sept. 30, 2010.; on December 16, 2009, requested increase in subcontract in amount of $34,956.

Greder, K. and Cook, C. (2010). —Interactions of individual, family, community, and policy contexts on the mental and physical health of rural Latino immigrants.‖ American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, Ruth O'Brien Project Grant, (Principal Investigator). $6000 ($5,000 for research project, $1,000 for conference attendance).

Horner, P. (2010). —Latino Socio-cultural barriers to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment: An ethnographic case study‖. Faculty Research and Teaching Innovation Summer Grants. School of Social Work. To support research endeavors and teaching innovations during the summer months. $1000.

Horner, P. (2010) —Oral history of Latinos/as in Michigan: The settling phases of Latino/a farmworkers in Lansing‖. Provost's Undergraduate Research Initiative. Grant supports mentored undergraduate research in the social, economic, and behavioral sciences.

Gold, S. & Darden, J. (2009/2010). —Request for student workers to assist with a study of the impact of anti-affirmative action laws on minorities and women in Michigan and other states.‖ Provost's Undergraduate Research Engagement Program, College of Social Science. $4000.

Lewis, H., NCAT PI; John Baker, Jan Flora, and Andrew Larson, ISU, co-P.I.s, —Toward a New Homestead Act: Designing a Farmstead Transfer and Leasing Program for High-Value Farming and Farmstead Preservation,‖ Presented to Leopold Center, submitted Nov. 2009, Total requested $43,390 (ISU share $19, 698). FUNDED AT $32,000, ISU share $8,200, Feb. 2010-Jan. 2011.

Martinez, R. (2010). —Immigration Reform: implications for Farmers, Farm Workers and Communities.‖ North Central Regional Center for Rural Development (NCRCRD), Michigan State University. Grant supported a.) support for the Washington, D.C. Changing Face conference b) presentations at the 2010 Cambio de Colores conference in St. Louis, MO; c) publication of 4 issues of the Rural Migration News (hard copy and on-line newsletter) with a section devoted to the Midwest immigrant issues; d) scholarly papers/informational briefs relating to the North Central region of the US. $17,973.

Martinez, R. (2009/2010). —Transnational Labor across the Americas.‖ Creating Inclusive Excellence Grant (CIEG) from the Office for Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives, Michigan State University. Grant supported symposium series on transnational labor issues in the Americas that brought internationally and nationally known scholars to speak to faculty and students. $17,800.

Proposal Submissions — Not Funded

Flora, J and C. Flora, —Involving New Immigrant and Minority Producers in Local Food Systems,‖ pre-proposal submitted to North Central Sustainable Agriculture, Research, and Extension (NC_SARE), 8/15/2011-8/14/2014, $193,717 requested.

Horner, P. (2010). Latino socio-cultural barriers to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment: An ethnographic case study. Proposal submitted to the College of Social Science Faculty Initiative Fund. $18,000 requested.

Martinez, R., & Velez Ortiz, D. (2010, May). Improving communications about end-of-life decisions among Latino older adults in the Midwestern states. Letter of Inquiry submitted to the AETNA Foundation. $149,988 requested.

Martinez, R., Horner, P., & Velez Ortiz, D. (2010). Proposal to evaluate the Latino Nonprofit Leadership Academies by The Center for Leadership Innovation (TCLI). Proposal submitted to TCLI, Ellicott City, MD. $119,000 requested.

Wood, S. D., KSU; Jan Flora, ISU; Kimberly Greder ISU; and Gerad Middendorf. (2010). —A Pilot Study of Community Needs and Solutions to Food Deserts in Midwestern Rural and Urban Communities,‖ North Central Regional Center for Rural Development Small Grants Program, July 1, 2010-June 30, 2011, $18,037 requested (ISU Subcontract = $8,696).

Submissions — Pending

Gonzales, S. M. (2010) proposal for the creation of a —Center for the Study of Latinos in Health and Human Services‖ to prepare professionals for careers in Latino Health and Human Services and help to eradicate health disparities in Latino populations. $562,000 requested.

Horner, P. (2010) Managerial capacity with Latino substance abuse providers. Grant proposal submitted to Michigan Applied Public Policy Research (MAPPR).

Rodriguez, A. (2010). Enhancing the competitiveness of Latino businesses in Idaho: Better businesses create better jobs. Proposal submitted with the collaborators of the Latino Economic Development Center for possible selection by the CDS for the 2011 special issue.

Panels/Workshops/Conferences

Gold, S. (2010, August). Immigration and intergroup conflict and cooperation. Presentation at the American Sociological Association Meeting: International Migration Section Session, Atlanta, GA.

Martinez, R. (2009, November). Latino/a Communities in the Midwest, Michigan State University, Julian Samora Research Institute 20th Anniversary Conference. East Lansing, MI.

Thompson Bello, D., Prado-Meza, C. M., & Flora, J. L. (2010, April). Featuring the efforts of the value chain partnerships working groups. Presentation at the Iowa State University Annual Leopold Center Marketing and Food Systems Workshop, Ames, IA.

Outreach and Educational Activities

Flora, J. L. Co-chair. (2009, October). Field trip to Marshalltown Community College farm incubator as part of Community Food Security Coalition conference, Marshalltown, IA. 21 persons from around the U.S. in attendance.

Flora, J.L. (2010, March). Addressing hunger through growing farmers locally. Presentation to Friends of the World Food Program, Des Moines, IA.

Flora, J. L., Flora, C. B., & Prado-Meza, C. M. (2009, October). Rural Latino immigrants in the Midwest of the U.S.: Inclusion and exclusion. Presentation at the Iowa State University Research Seminar Series and Sociology Seminar Series in Marshalltown,IA, Sioux County, IA and Postville, IA.

Flora, J. L., Prado-Meza, C. M., & Lewis, H. (2009, October.) What is Comida and how did it get started?‖ Presentation at Community Food Security Coalition field trip, Marshalltown, IA.

Paulin, J., Prado-Meza, C. M., Lewis, H., Thompson Bello, D., & Flora, J. L. (2009, October) Planning your community's local food system: The experience of COMIDA (County of Marshall Investing in Diversified Agriculture). Presentation at the Community Food Security Coalition conference, Des Moines, IA.

Prado-Meza, C. M., Thompson Bello, D., & Flora, J. L. (2009). Helped plan and participated in four community meetings to develop an organization to foster local food systems in Marshall County and the surrounding area. Marshalltown, IA. June 4, Sept. 14, October 5, and November 2. Approximately 50 people attended each meeting.

Thompson Bello, D. (2009 and 2010) coordinated Denison, IA planning group for predominantly Latino Community Gardens. Meetings held about every two months between April 2009 and May 2010.

Thompson Bello, D., Prado-Meza, C. M., & Flora, J. L. (2009). Participated in Regional Foods Systems Working Group meetings, July 22 (Johnston, IA); Sept. 30 (Madrid, IA); Dec. 16 (Ames) as members of COMIDA (County of Marshall Investing in Diversified Agriculture).

Thompson Bello, D., Prado-Meza, C. M., & Flora, J. L. (2010). Worked with Marshalltown Community College (MCC) personnel to plan and evaluate continuing education sessions in the —Start your own Diversified Farm‖ class at Marshalltown Community College plus three field trips. January-June. (Every Sunday afternoon for 3 hours), 17 class members, including 8 Latinos.

Other Activities

Thompson, D., Prado-Meza, C. M., Flora, J. L., Lewis, H., & Barnes, L. (2010). Recipients of Innovative Program Award of the Community Development Society (work with Latino farmers in Marshalltown, IA)

Flora, J. L., & Flora, C. B. (2010). Recipient with of the Faculty Award for Diversity Enhancement, Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Ames, IA.

Flora, J. L. (2009) Member Iowa Host committee, National Community Food Security Coalition conference, Des Moines, IA, Oct 10-13, 2009.

Prado-Meza, C. M., Thompson Bello, D., & Flora, J. L. (2009). Participated in Regional Foods Systems Working Group meetings, Dec. 16 (Ames, IA) as member of COMIDA (County of Marshall Investing in Diversified Agriculture).

Flora, J.L. (2010). Organizing Committee, Cambio de Colores: Latinos in the Heartland Conference, Columbia, MO, May 24 – 26.

Martinez, R. (2010). Organizing Committee, Cambio de Colores: Latinos in the Heartland Conference, Columbia, MO, May 24 – 26.