Rooted in the Community: Sustainable Ag Youth Summer Camp

View the project final report

Commodities

Practices

• Education and Training: youth education

"Rooted in the Community" is a summer camp program for youth in the west-central region of Illinois hosted by Carl Sandburg College, based in Galesburg. The free, two-day camp introduced children aged 9-12 to sustainable agriculture practices, purposes, and careers. The camp staff worked with local farmers, community gardeners, nutritionists, and ag educators to teach campers about sustainable agriculture through hands-on activities, field trips, and educational presentations. The 2022 and 2023 camps explored sustainable community farming, distribution, and practice. Sandburg will host two summer camps, two days each, open to youth throughout the district.

1. Introduce youth to sustainable community ag practices and purposes through hands-on activities in the Galesburg Community Garden and field trips to local farms.
2. Provide information on careers in sustainable agriculture through meetings with farmers and educational presentations from ag educators.
3. Encourage youth to shop locally and capitalize on nutritional benefits by learning about healthy eating practices and how to prepare nutritious meals.
4. Ensure equitable access to sustainable agriculture education by working with community stakeholders to offer Rooted in the Community free to all participating campers.  
5.  Share project results through social media, radio interviews, press releases, website publications, and conference seminars.