San Elizario sets aside field with specialty flowers meant to attract bees

SAN ELIZARIO, Texas -- A small community near El Paso is developing some big agricultural plans.

The city of San Elizario is currently working on a number of farming related projects, most notably a plan to attract and diversify a major bee population around the community.

Project leaders have set an entire field aside and sown it with specialty flowers meant to attract bees.

"Bee forage consists of pastures for the bees to come and get pollen and energy and what they use to feed off of," said agriculture manager Octavio Hernandez.

Additionally, the San Elizario agricultural team has also set up three so called "pocket parks" around town with crops that have already begun to sprout.

"We are growing kale, tender greens and arugula," said Hernandez.

And with much of San Elizario living at or near the poverty line, those projects are being developed with an aim towards saving money for local families.

"We see this growing into something to help hit a lot of target areas that our city has challenges with like health, wellness, city beautification and economic development," said city administrator Maya Sanchez.