Final report for YENC21-157
Project Information
For the last ten years, Growing Places Indy (GPI) has run a summer urban farming apprenticeship for individuals 18 years and older. The proposed program, “Grow Getters,” is modeled off the success of past programs, but is designed specifically as a six-week supervised agricultural program for high school students. Selected students will be involved in all aspects of the organization including farm planning, planting, financial, maintenance, harvest, and distribution. They will also work on other urban farms, meet local leaders in the food and farming community, and have the opportunity to fully engage in the Indianapolis food system.
The program idea was developed by understanding effective programs for accomplishing our mission and collecting feedback from past participants and key partners. This program objectives include:
- Break the poverty cycle of young people and expose them to new career opportunities within agriculture through hands-on learning from experienced farmers, chefs, and industry professionals.
- Build long-term economic self-reliance and food security among participants and their communities by increasing high school students' farming skills and job readiness skills.
- Develop a pipeline of trained farmers by training high school students through hands-on experience and in-class curriculum taught by skilled farmers.
Cooperators
- (Educator)
- (Educator)
- (Educator)
Educational & Outreach Activities
Participation Summary:
The program was designed to teach students vital aspects of urban agriculture through a robust and engaging curriculum. Students also took field trips and worked directly with farmers to gain hands-on experience and better understand the local food system and career opportunities. The students worked on the farm daily and then were assigned readings throughout the program that they had to complete and talk through with our program managers and farm team.
The weekly workshops demonstrations included:
- Farming 101
- Harvesting
- Pest control
- Hydroponics
- Food Safety
- Food Justice
- Benefits of farmers market
- Financial management
- Nutrition
Students went on weekly field trips and talked with experienced farmers to learn more about the business of farming. The field trips included:
- Indy Urban Acres
- Patachou Farms and then lunch at their cafe
- Tyner Pond Farms
- Holloway Flower Farms
- Full Hand Farm
- South Circle City Farm
- Butler University Farm
Lastly, the students worked on the farm and were able to take home produce for their families. We also taught them how to cook the produce and store the produce they harvested.
We also received media placements helping to promote and raise awareness for our program.
Learning Outcomes
Nutrition
Environmental
urban agricultural
The program was designed to teach students vital aspects of urban agriculture through a robust and engaging curriculum. Students worked 15 hours/week for six weeks helping with management at one of our 4 urban farm locations. Students helped with Grow Indy's CSA program and on-farm stand. Students also took field trips and worked directly with farmers to gain hands-on experience, build culinary arts skills, and better understand the local food system and career opportunities. The students worked on the farm daily and then were assigned readings throughout the program that they had to complete and talk through with our program managers and farm team.
The weekly workshops demonstrations included:
- Farming 101
- Harvesting
- Pest control
- Hydroponics
- Food Safety
- Food Justice
- Benefits of farmers market
- Financial management
- Nutrition
- History of Agriculture by Purdue Extension
-
Importance of Building Local Food Systems by Purdue Extension
-
Health and Nutrition
- Career Readiness
- Budgeting, Credit cards, and Banking
- Job Skills and Time Management
- Resume Building and Networking
Project Outcomes
As a result of this grant, we were able to integrate students into our other program areas, pay students for their work, connect them to local farms and adult apprenticeship programs, who in turn helped with skills development. In general students gained a broader perspective in terms of farming as a business and how to grow their own food.
Two of the parents built raised beds and grew tomatoes in their own backyards.
One the parents started a garden at their daycare.
One of the best successes is all of our students developed a bond with each other and continued their friendship beyond the program. They've planned events and meet-ups to stay connected when the program ended.
Two students from Franklin Central High School have started a garden club based on their program's experience. They said they wanted to teach other students what they learned in the program. We are working with the two students to ensure their garden club thrives.
Also, one of the students stated that since the program, they ate more veggies and inspired their families to eat healthier.
Increasing the budget for educating programs would help support bringing in more support to impact more students.
Information Products
- Young Grow Getters (Workbook/Worksheet)