At the Rotary Club of Clinton, our commitment to Service Above Self extends far beyond local borders. Through meaningful international service projects, we partner with Rotary clubs around the world to address global challenges, support sustainable development, and improve lives in communities in need. From empowering families with agricultural greenhouses in rural Oaxaca, Mexico to contributing to large-scale humanitarian efforts, our international initiatives reflect Rotary’s core mission of advancing goodwill, fostering peace, and creating lasting, positive change across cultures and continents.   

Greenhouses in Oaxaca, Mexico

The Rotary Club of Clinton has partnered with the Rotary Club of Seattle to support families in rural Oaxaca by funding the construction of small-scale agricultural greenhouses. This collaborative international project reflects Rotary’s commitment to sustainable development, food security, and economic empowerment.

Project Overview

As of January 2026, the Rotary Club of Clinton has donated $8,350, resulting in over twenty-five greenhouses being built in Oaxaca, Mexico! Though modest in cost, each greenhouse has a significant and measurable impact on the families who receive them.

These greenhouses:

  • Provide a reliable source of fresh vegetables for household consumption

  • Improve food security and nutrition

  • Create surplus produce that can be sold in local markets

  • Generate additional, consistent income for families

For many participating families, average daily earnings were approximately $0.65 per day prior to receiving a greenhouse. With greenhouse production, families can earn an additional $75–$100 per month, nearly doubling their annual income. This increased income helps cover essential expenses such as school supplies, healthcare, and reinvestment in agricultural production.

Why Greenhouses?

In many rural areas of Oaxaca, farmers face challenges including:

  • Irregular rainfall

  • Limited irrigation systems

  • Soil degradation

  • Unpredictable growing seasons

Greenhouses provide a controlled environment that protects crops from harsh weather conditions and pests, allowing families to grow vegetables year-round. This consistency increases both productivity and profitability.

Sustainable Impact

Beyond the financial benefits, the project promotes:

  • Self-sufficiency – Families gain skills in greenhouse management and crop production.

  • Women’s empowerment – In many cases, women manage greenhouse operations and control the income generated.

  • Community development – Knowledge-sharing among families strengthens local agricultural practices.

  • Long-term resilience – Year-round production reduces vulnerability to climate variability.

This initiative demonstrates how a relatively small investment can create lasting change. By partnering across borders, Rotary clubs are helping families build stronger, more secure futures through sustainable agriculture. 

Don't Bottle It Up!

In 2020, the Rotary Club of Clinton started focusing on mental health. In an International partnership, The Rotary Club of Clinton (Iowa) encouraged its members to participate in the “Don’t Bottle It Up!” campaign as part of its support for mental-health awareness. Specifically, Rotarians were invited to take part in the campaign by being featured on campaign promotional material, which included the club’s secretary, Jill O’Neill, being featured on a “Don’t Bottle It Up!” poster to help promote the message of speaking out about mental-health issues instead of bottling them up.
 

By participating in the “Don’t Bottle It Up!” campaign, the Rotary Club of Clinton helped promote openness about mental health and encouraged people in their community (and beyond) to seek help rather than hide their struggles. Their involvement also reflects Rotary’s broader commitment to addressing mental health stigma and supporting well-being through awareness campaigns, not just traditional service projects.

 
See either the RAGonMentalHealth.org website, the Rotarians4MentalHealth website
(rotary-site.org/rotarians4mentalhealth), the Rotarains4MentalHealth Facebook page
(Rotarians 4 Mental Health | Facebook)or email Darren Hands, Director, Mental Health Initiatives RAG, at dazhands1971@gmail.com to learn more.