Rio Grande Valley Resilience Garden Initiative
by Mani Skaria, PhD
I’m reaching out today to share an idea—one that has been growing in my mind for quite some time—and to formally introduce an initiative I plan to launch on April 22nd in Edinburg, Texas.
The launch of the Initiative will be at the 4th annual Food Summit, which will take place April 22, 2026, in Edinburg, and will be organized by the Institute for Ecology Scholarship and Health at the Region One Education Service Center in Edinburg, Texas.
I’ve been invited to participate in a panel organized by the Institute for Ecology Scholarship & Health, the Region One Education Service Center, University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley and the food producer and industry partners.
So, I’ve decided to make this moment meaningful – the day is special – the 2026 Earth Day, which honors the Earth and is now 56 years old, observed in 193 countries.
I will be announcing the Rio Grande Valley Resilience Garden Initiative—a regional effort to reinvigorate community gardening, starting right here in the Valley. Then it can expand to the rest of the state and beyond.
This idea is inspired by history.
During World War II, the United States saw the rise of what were called Victory Gardens. At that time, nearly 20 million gardens were cultivated across the country. Families and communities stepped in while many were away at war—and these gardens produced close to 40% of the nation’s fresh produce. That was with a population of about 135 million people.
POPULATION
1940s (WWII Era): ~135 million
Today (2026): ~340+ million
~35% of vegetables are imported
• Highly global, supply-chain dependent
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IMPORT DEPENDENCE (TODAY)
• ~60–70% of imported vegetables come from Mexico
• ~20% from Canada
→ ~20–25% of all vegetables consumed in the U.S.
come from Mexico alone
Today, we are a nation of over 340 million.
And yet, we rely heavily on imported produce—from Mexico, Canada, and other countries. While global trade is valuable, recent events have shown us how fragile these systems can be. We experienced major disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve seen supply chain breakdowns. We’ve seen fertilizer prices spike due to global conflicts like the war in Ukraine. These are not distant issues—they directly affect the cost and availability of food on our tables.
Even in everyday life, we can feel it. Something as simple as sweet corn—once 25 cents—is now over a dollar. That change tells a much larger story.
But here in the Rio Grande Valley, we are uniquely positioned.
We have the climate, the soil, and the growing seasons to produce food multiple times a year. Crops like sweet corn, for example, can be grown two to three times annually, with life cycles of just 60 to 90 days depending on the season. Yes, we face challenges—water scarcity, drought—but we also have the knowledge and the innovation to work around them.
This initiative is about resilience.
It is about empowering families, schools, and communities to grow what they can, where they are. It is about reconnecting people with the land, while strengthening local food systems.
I am in a position to help organize and share this effort—through videos, newsletters, and educational content. Together, we can identify what grows best in our region, what resources are needed, and how to make this sustainable.
I am encouraged that Region One has already expressed interest in collaborating. They have existing programs within school systems, and I look forward to exploring how we can build something meaningful together.
I also want to acknowledge that this is not a new idea.
Many have come before us—leaders like Barbara Storz, and experts like Dr. John Goldsby from the USDA. Their work has laid a strong foundation. I consider myself a newcomer—but one arriving at the right time, with renewed energy and urgency.
Because the timing matters.
With ongoing global instability, supply chain vulnerabilities, and environmental pressures, this is a moment to think differently—to act locally, and to build systems that can endure.
And it feels especially fitting that this initiative will be announced at a regional summit in McAllen, Texas, on Earth Day.
An auspicious time. An intentional place.
My hope is simple:
To invite policymakers, educators, community leaders, and homeowners to begin thinking differently—to see the potential in something as simple, yet powerful, as a garden.
Not just as a hobby—but as a step toward resilience.
Thank you.