May 30, 2026 Issue, Page 10 of 12

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10• SATURDAY, MAY 30, 2026 The Elk City News Weekly Oklahoma Oil and Gas Proudly Brought to you by: Oil & Gas Report for the State of Oklahoma for May 19 - 25, 2026 Rural Renewal Initiative Seed Grants fund rural research By Baylee Smith STILLWATER, Okla. – The Ru- ral Renewal Initiative Seed Grant Program invests in rural-focused research across Oklahoma, pro- viding critical funds to enhance rural communities. “The seed grants are a way for researchers to address the grand challenges rural community members face,” said Linnea Har- vey, Rural Renewal Initiative coor- dinator. “The research conducted through these grants involves get- ting the community perspective injected into the research process.” Each year, this competitive program awards two $90,000 seed grants to launch research that en- gages rural Oklahoma commu- nities. The winning proposals for the 2026 grants focus on water The Rural Renewal Initiative Seed Grant Program awards funds to initiate research in rural communities. insecurity and community jour- (Photo by Mitchell Alcala, OSU Agriculture) nalism. community nutrition research.” nalists writing about the commu- “We are piloting our citizen Nila Pradhananga, an assistant As part of Pradhananga’s com- nity,” Avance said. “In addition to journalism program to help estab- professor in the OSU Department munity-based participatory re- many newspaper closures, larger lish a new means of information of Nutritional Sciences and nutri- search, data will be collected from companies are buying smaller flow in and out of rural communi- tion state Extensionspecialist in community members through newspapers, and local stories ar- ties,” Abernathy said. “By working Family and Consumer Sciences, Photovoice, fostering local aware- en’t being properly shared.” with high school-aged students, is the primary investigator for re- ness and dialogues. Her research This shift has contributed to a we’re designing a program that search evaluating and addressing also aims to present the rationale disconnect between community will help enhance their media lit- water security in rural western for new water-relevant FCS and members and the information eracy and their awareness of the Oklahoma and its connection to agriculture Extension program- that affects them. To address this role reliable information plays in nutrition. ming. issue, Avance and her collabora- democratic governance.” “Food insecurity is found to be Rosemary Avance, OSU me- tor, Andrew Abernathy, will pilot This year’s funds will become substantially higher among par- dia and strategic communica- a course in citizen journalism for available in August and will be ticipants who have experience of tions assistant professor, is the rural high school juniors and se- used over a two-year period. mild to severe water insecurity,” primary investigator for a project niors. Participants will research Pradhananga’s research will fo- Pradhananga said. “It is important that builds upon three years of re- and write news stories about is- cus on western Oklahoma, and to explore water security issues as search examining access to local sues affecting their communities, Avance and Abernathy will start it plays an important role in food news in rural areas. which will be shared within their in southwest Oklahoma the first preparation as well as drinking “We’ve found that many rural communities and news organi- year and shift to the southeast water; however, this hasn’t real- communities no longer have their zations, including KOSU and the portion of the state for the second ly been explored in the realm of own newspaper or dedicated jour- O’Colly. year.