The Newspaper of Record since 1878

Dr. Matthew Mars presents Hardscrabble at Bullion Plaza

Posted

MIAMI — “Economic Vitality and Community Wellness through Local Foods Entrepreneurship” will be the focus of the January Hardscrabble program sponsored by the Gila County Historical Museum and the Bullion Plaza Museum on Wednesday, Jan. 17 at the Bullion Plaza Museum beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The program will be presented by Dr. Matthew Mars, Assistant Professor, Agricultural Leadership and Innovation, the University of Arizona and Karalea Cox, Executive Director for the Southern Gila County Economic Development Corporation. 

The speakers will discuss the challenges that threaten wellness and economic vitality in rural communities, concentrating on the value of food system re-localization as a feasible solution to food insecurity and small farm and ranch failures. 

Opportunities to diversify the economic base in the Copper Communities region through local food production, aggregation and entrepreneurship are plentiful, but will be challenging. 

The Southern Gila County Economic Development Corporation and the Copper Corridor Economic Development Corporation have partnered with the Local First Arizona Foundation  to conduct a Food Hub Feasibility Study throughout southern Gila county and eastern Pinal county. 

A discussion of the findings and recommendations from this study, in the context of Dr. Matthew Mars expertise, will add to the conversations and data already collected. 

Matthew (“Matt”) M. Mars, Ph.D. is Assistant Professor of Agricultural Leadership and Innovation and the Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Agricultural Education at The University of Arizona. 

He is also a Fellow in the Cardon Academy of Teaching Excellence in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.  

Karalea Cox is the Executive Director for the Southern Gila County Economic Development Corporation. She has a background in education, workforce development, organizational culture and “all things rural.” 

As a fifth-generation rancher, Karalea Cox has developed a deep understanding of rural and agricultural complexities pertaining to economic and community development and planning. 

Her passion for rural issues and rural advocacy create a backdrop for communities to engage in meaningful dialogue and problem solving. 

Light refreshments will be served when the doors open at 6 p.m.  

The presentation is free, but donations are always welcome.  Both museums are recipients of United Fund Globe-Miami grants.