Developing projects which are not solely research focused moves away from the extractive model of research, often historically experienced by communities, and embraces reciprocity and community development. Any type of community engaged research with vulnerable communities must include extension and education components prioritized and developed by community leaders and members. To this end, I have led the establishment of Tribal herbaria with Tribal collaborators, led native plant and food related community workshops with Tribes in California, and conducted farmer field days during my Ph.D. research in Kenya. This type of community engagement has left a lasting impression on communities and snowballed into more funding for community engaged programs and projects.