Youth Farm: Cultivating Leadership Through Planting, Growing, Preparing and Selling the Food They Grow

Article by Claudia Kittock, photos by Rick Kittock

I grew up on a farm in southeastern Minnesota. We all had chores that we did in the mornings and chores in the afternoons. There were chores I liked and chores I hated. My favorite chores were out in the field, raking hay. The smell of fresh cut hay and the solitude of doing my work all by myself was spiritual and very special. All of the best parts of my personality were formed on the farm, learning the lessons nature taught me every single day.

How many of you grew up with a garden? How many of you like to work in a garden? How many of you enjoy Farmers Markets with all of the fresh produce? I recently learned about an exciting program whose mission is to help youth develop by teaching them to plant, grow, harvest, cook, and feed the community where they live, and it all takes place in communities in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Youth Farm is a nonprofit that provides year round programs for youth ages 9 to 24.  The mission of Youth Farm is to educate and train youth through gardens and greenhouses, hoping to cultivate leadership through planting, growing, preparing, and selling the food they grow.

Above, pictures from the site at Nellie Stone Johnson School in the Hawthorne neighborhood.

Youth Farm has 18 farm sites throughout Minneapolis and St. Paul and conducts four 8-week sessions of after school farming and food programs, as well as an 8-week summer program. Over 800 youth are served every year with 273 youth participating in at least one session of after school nutritional programming. 214 youth participated in the 8-week summer program, producing 3640 pounds of produce distributed to the participating families. There were over 7500 pounds of produce grown and distributed through meals prepared and served by the youth.  166 families received family shares.

The youth involved not only find that they
have changed their own eating habits, but have
grown in their ability to take on a leadership
role and in social and emotional skills.

How does the food distribution work?  Families of the youth involved can sign up for food shares and receive fresh produce.  There are cooking classes, and youth prepare and serve lunches to community members during the summer.  There are family and community farm work and harvest days as well as community dinners.

The results of this program are impressive.  60% of families surveyed reported a change in their eating habits.  Families reported an increased consumption of fresh food as well as an increased variety of vegetables eaten, and, of course, an increased willingness to try and prepare new foods. The youth involved not only find that they have changed their own eating habits, but have grown in their ability to take on a leadership role and in social and emotional skills.

There are farm sites in Lyndale, Powderhorn and Hawthorne neighborhoods in Minneapolis as well as Frogtown and the West Side neighborhoods of St. Paul. 150 community partnerships have been formed, with over 10,000 healthy meals served every year.

Youth Farm needs our help.  Please learn about YouthFarm at www.YouthFarmMN.org.  Donations can be sent to http://youthfarmmn.org/get-involved/donate/.

Claudia can be reached at claudia@millcitymedia.org