The Youth Farm Project

The problem is multidisciplinary in nature and it involves unsustainable food production; it involves social inequality and specifically lack of access to good food; it involves a society where racism, sexism, and ageism (we work with a group of diverse youth) block integration of everyone into the system and into the solution. The project is located in Ithaca, NY and employs a diverse group of youth from 2 local high schools. We grow food for BJM's (an elementary school) fresh fruit and vegetable snack program, hot lunch programs at GIAC and Southside, lunches at LACS, food feeds into Ithaca Community Harvests efforts delivering market baskets to low-income residents in Ithaca, and we are selling at two small farmers markets. So we are educating youth about sustainable agriculture: the big picture and organic growing techniques, social justice, and youth empowerment. And the food we grow goes to primarily schools and community centers, but also goes to a diverse group of folks in our community.