A primary goal for SARA is to facilitate research, student success, and community engagement through staff support. Staffing provides SARA with:
Essential outreach opportunities for applied research
Outreach staff providing agricultural training and technical assistance works directly with farmers, ranchers, and rural businesses to implement strategies and processes developed through applied research.
Exceptional community linkages for Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR)
Outreach staff interacts regularly with agricultural producers to effectively link SARA researchers with community-based research partners.
Robust extension and outreach components for integrated, extramural research projects
Outreach staff provides training and technical assistance that generates contacts and expertise to ensure that the outreach components of integrated projects are accomplished.
Critical cash-match contributions for extramural projects that require match
Outreach staff paid through non-federal sources provides the cash-match contributions required by federally-sponsored projects.
Ample experiential learning and employment opportunities for UTRGV students
Outreach staff with expertise in developing grants and business plans for agricultural clients provide learning and employment opportunities for students.
Staffing for SARA
Colin Cain
Executive Director for Rural Business Development
Phone: (956) 665-7536
Email:
colin.cain@utrgv.edu
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Oversees the outreach and administrative staff at SARA. He serves with Dr. Alexis Racelis as co-director for SARA, and provides access to research and demonstration sites.
Executive Director for Rural Business Development
SARA
Email:
colin.cain@utrgv.edu ECESS 1.223
Phone: (956) 665-7536
Assists rural farms and businesses with forming business plans, securing grants, and completing USDA applications. She helps provide the RGV community with experiential learning through value-added agricultural operations.
Director of Special Programs
SARA - 2501, ACCESS
Email:
aisha.cruzreyes@utrgv.edu ECESS 1.224
Phone: (956) 665-7528
Phone Alt: Default
Fax: Default
Provides training and assistance to cooperatives involved in sustainable agriculture and food systems. She focuses on urban agriculture and provides linkages to advanced food systems in Austin, Texas.
Director of Special Programs
SARA - TRCC
Email:
annelies.lottmann@utrgv.edu Remote
Phone: (512) 773-2925
Serves as PI for a USDA program that assists beginning farmers and ranchers. He provides acess to a seven-acre research and demonstration site that is USDA-certified organic.
Director of Special Programs
SARA - BFR
Email:
juan.raygoza@utrgv.edu ECESS 1.225
Phone: (956) 665-7553
Provides high-level administrative support for budget, time-and-effort, personnel, and other sponsored-project administration and management.
Administrative Manager
SARA
Email:
dahlia.vela@utrgv.edu ECESS 1.227
Phone: (956) 665-7544
Provides high-level administrative support for budget, time-and-effort, personnel, travel, and other sponsored-project administration and management.
Administrative Associate
SARA
Email:
diana.e.navarro01@utrgv.edu ECESS 1.228
Phone: (956) 665-7555
Provides hands-on technical assistance to farmers and ranchers involved in sustainable agriculture and food systems. He assists with outreach for applied research and integrated projects.
Program Coordinator
Email:
a.guerra@utrgv.edu Remote
Phone: (956) 665-7555
Provides training and assistance to cooperatives involved in sustainable agriculture and rural areas. She focuses on start-ups in the RGV.
Cooperative Development Specialist
SARA - TRCC
Email:
blanca.delgado01@utrgv.edu ECESS 1.231
Phone: (956) 665-7525
Operates under the Beginning Farmers and Ranchers program, providing hands-on training and assistance for anyone budding into agriculture.
Agricultural Specialist
SARA - BFR
Email:
demetrio.bonilla@utrgv.edu ECESS 1.200
Operates under the Beginning Farmers and Ranchers program, providing hands-on training and assistance for anyone budding into agriculture and livestock care.
Program Coordinator
SARA - BFR
Email:
misty.cornejo01@utrgv.edu ECESS 1.200
Provides in-depth assistance to rural farms and businesses with developing business plans, applying for grants and USDA applications.
Program Coordinator
SARA - 2501
Email:
sara.saenz01@utrgv.edu ECESS 1.230
Phone: (956) 665-7527
Provides assistance with computer-based technology to faculty, staff, customers, and clients; both on- and off-campus. He ensures that technology requirements for research and outreach projects are met.
Systems Analyst III
SARA
Email:
hector.solis@utrgv.edu ECESS 1.229
Phone: (956) 665-7954
Oversees the video-production activities that are an integral part of outreach and promotion for SARA. He provides students with internships in mass media related to sustainable agriculture and food systems.
Video Production Manager
SARA
Email:
israel.galindo@utrgv.edu ECESS 1.234
Phone: (956) 665-7551
Provides internal support to SARA through the handling and production of promotional material, as well as external support by assisting SARA staff with forming marketing plans, content marketing, digital marketing, advertising, public relations, and crisis communication.
Marketing and Promotions Coordinator
SARA
Email:
alejandra.valdes01@utrgv.edu ECESS 1.200
Phone: (956) 665-7532
