Final report for YENC25-242
Project Information
1) An explanation of what you taught youth about sustainable agriculture:
Through our Food Fellowship, we hosted a nine-month program focused on food cultivation, business and entrepreneurship, policy and advocacy, and STEM.
2) The educational approach used and youth learning outcomes:
This fellowship blended academic learning, hands-on practice, and policy-focused experiences to cultivate future leaders dedicated to driving positive change. Collaborations with business owners, local farmers, and community advocates, provided opportunities for mentorship and hands-on insights into local food systems, sustainable agriculture, and the impact of policy. The Fellowship met 20 to 25 hours a month. Each Fellow who successfully completed the program received a stipend of $1,800. We hope they will pursue for agricultural, public administration, or business-related studies.
3) Succinct statement of conclusions:
This program better equipped students to navigate and understand the intricate dynamics that influence food production access, affordability, and quality. Students also gained unique insights into the challenges and opportunities within the food system. With this contextual knowledge, they will be better equipped to drive change and explore innovative solutions to hunger that are grounded in reality.
4) Youth, educator, parent adoption actions that resulted from the education program:
The Fellowship incorporated a career-preparation component, featuring coaching, experiential learning, and policy engagement. To further support and incentivize students, we provided a stipend upon completion, hoping to encourage the pursuit of higher education in fields such as agricultural sciences, public administration or business. This forward-thinking fellowship ultimately aims to develop a cohort of young leaders who are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and passion to transform the food ecosystem.
- Increase the understanding of 3 high school seniors (fellows) of the food ecosystem, business, and entrepreneurship.
- Expose fellows to agriculture, bees, vermiculture, and specialty crops through hands-on activities.
- Introduce fellows to farmers, government officials, and business leaders who will serve as mentors and teachers.
- Help fellows' see themselves in the food ecosystem and how they can study agriculture and more as a career.
- Deepen fellows’ understanding of the link between agriculture, policy, business, and a healthy food system.
Educational & Outreach Activities
Participation summary:
The Fellowship included learning modules focused on:
- Business and Entrepreneurship: Tony Rushing and Queenie Vesey, both business owners and food growers, will lead programming in this area.
- Policy and Advocacy: Dr. Emma Crocker, DNP, and Erica Williams will guide fellows through policy and advocacy aspects of food justice and sustainable agriculture.
- Growing Food and STEM: Eric Williams and Cameron Williams will lead hands-on learning in food cultivation and STEM, equipping fellows with practical skills essential for sustainable food systems.
A Red Circle has conducted classes on soil health, irrigation, and starting plants. Our Food Fellow attended each class and met with other farmers to hear how they approach growing and distributing food. We also hosted one-off classes for middle- and high-school youth, since our planned partnership with a local high school was cancelled due to school closure.
- Other
Learning Outcomes
What it means to grow food.
Why growing food is good for the environment.
How voting and food policy impact the food system.
The outreach portion of this project has been challenging . Nevertheless, the training components have been worthwhile.
Our program immersed our Fellow and participants in our stand-alone programs in a hands-on curriculum, offering essential practices to support agricultural and economic sustainability. Participants explored specialty crops and learned how beneficial insects, beekeeping practices, and integrated pest management can promote the natural world and reduce reliance on chemicals. Through activities with cover crops, soil nutrient management, and vermiculture, students discovered how these methods improve soil health, retain nutrients, and combat erosion. The Fellow was introduced to small farming techniques, such as hoop houses, greenhouses, and soil berms, to demonstrate how these adaptable practices can maximize yield and sustainability. Fellows also explored the principles of organic agriculture and observed the unique role of goats in natural weed control. Through discussions on zoning, city planning, and the use of native flowers, students examined how these factors enhance city landscapes and improve quality of life.
Curriculum - A Red Circle Food Fellowship has our nine month plan, including all key activities.
A Red Circle focused on nontraditional students who benefit from hands-on and experiential learning opportunities. Farming inside higher populated city regions is a relatively new concept, and many youths in A Red Circle’s area have limited interaction with farmers, are still learning about food sources, and need career guidance. This Fellowship provided the necessary hands-on learning, allow students to make a positive impact on their community, and gain real-world knowledge and experience in the food ecosystem.