Examining the relationship between civic agriculture participation and civic engagement in South Texas

Civic agriculture is often credited with strengthening democratic life by encouraging civic and political engagement, yet this claim has scarcely been tested in socioeconomically marginalized regions. Using original survey data collected through a combination of random and purposive sampling, this study assesses that relationship in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas, a majority-Hispanic agricultural region marked by high poverty and low civic participation. Phone and online surveys were administered in English and Spanish to reach both the general population and individuals involved in civic agriculture initiatives, yielding over 400 responses. We examine whether civic agriculture participation predicts greater community involvement, political activity, and perceived community cohesion after controlling for demographic and ideological traits. Hierarchical regression models show that civic agriculture participation is significantly associated with community involvement and political activity, but not with perceptions of community cohesion. These results suggest that while civic agriculture may not transform deeper perceptions of cohesion, it can support organizational and political engagement—even in regions facing structural barriers to participation. The findings offer cautious support for civic agriculture’s democratic potential beyond affluent or well-studied contexts.