URBAN FARMER YOUTH INITIATIVE Eight gardens around Ohio are conducting youth programming year-round in this pilot project.
"Youth in urban farming are the pioneers of tomorrow’s sustainable cities."
Program Sites and Highlights
Cincinnati – Jackson Street Farms Focus: Urban youth gardening Activities: Gardening, biodiversity education, and community engagement. Cincinnati – One Day at a Time Focus: Sustainable agriculture Activities: Hands-on farming, sustainability practices, and environmental education. Cincinnati – Urban Youth Garden Focus: Entrepreneurship in agriculture Activities: Growing and selling produce, business planning, and market strategies. Dayton and Trotwood – Edible Flower Garden Focus: Edible gardening Activities: Planting and harvesting edible flowers, biodiversity education, and creating consumable products. Trotwood – Glorified Dirt Focus: Community gardening Activities: Gardening, community beautification, and environmental stewardship. Trotwood – Efinity Harvest Focus: Urban farming Activities: Sustainable farming practices, crop management, and community outreach. Springfield – Springfield Ohio Urban Plantfolk (SOUP) Focus: Urban agriculture Activities: Gardening, plant care, and community engagement. Toledo – Urban Wholistics Focus: Holistic health and agriculture Activities: Farming, sustainability, holistic health education, and entrepreneurship.
Central State University Extension's 4-H Youth Development collaborated with community partners to launch eight agriculture sites for youth programming as part of the Urban Farmer Youth Initiative. This initiative, developed with the vision and support of Ohio State Senator Paula Hicks- Hudson, aims to help urban youth learn about agriculture and entrepreneurship while developing valuable life skills. Ohio State Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson, the first Black female mayor of Toledo, has always been committed to empowering communities and improving quality of life. Her work on Senate Bill 111, which supports urban gardening and youth programs, exemplifies her dedication to addressing food insecurity and fostering community engagement. This initiative aims to empower young people by involving them in urban gardening projects, teaching them valuable life skills, and instilling a sense of community pride. The Urban Farmer Youth Initiative is designed to provide urban youth with hands-on experiences in agriculture, fostering a deep- rooted understanding of the environment and cultivating a sense of responsibility and accomplishment. Each program site has a cap of 15 students to ensure personalized attention and effective learning.
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