Youth Training & Opportunity on Sustainable Urban Agriculture in North Minneapolis

Project Overview

YENC24-213
Project Type: Youth Educator
Funds awarded in 2024: $6,000.00
Projected End Date: 02/15/2026
Grant Recipient: Appetite For Change
Region: North Central
State: Minnesota
Project Manager:
Steven Forns
Email
Appetite For Change
Project Co-Managers:
Sandy Peacock
Email
Appetite For Change

Commodities

  • Vegetables: beans, beets, broccoli, cabbages, carrots, cauliflower, celery, garlic, greens (leafy), greens (lettuces), okra, onions, peppers, radishes (culinary), sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips
  • Additional Plants: herbs, native plants

Practices

  • Education and Training: decision support system, demonstration, display, focus group, mentoring, on-farm/ranch research, workshop, youth education
  • Farm Business Management: farmers' markets/farm stands
  • Pest Management: botanical pesticides, compost extracts
  • Production Systems: dryland farming, organic agriculture
  • Soil Management: composting, earthworms, nutrient mineralization, organic matter, soil quality/health
  • Sustainable Communities: community development, employment opportunities, ethnic differences/cultural and demographic change, food access and security, food hubs, food sovereignty, local and regional food systems, quality of life, social capital, sustainability measures, urban agriculture

    Proposal abstract:

    Appetite For Change (AFC) is a community-led organization rooted in supporting North Minneapolis to have a community owned food system that works to mitigate the impacts of climate change, preserve high quality green space and land tenure, and build sustainable farming and agricultural practices while increasing access to fresh, affordable and culturally relevant foods.

    Specifically, AFC’s Youth Training & Opportunity Program (YTOP) allows youth to participate in different activities aimed at improving their interest in and knowledge of post-secondary success, promote environmental stewardship, and build their confidence to connect with and make change in their community.

    Project objectives from proposal:

    Appetite For Change is seeking to change the food system in North Minneapolis by sustainably growing and sourcing crops for community food distribution. Our objectives of Urban Agriculture and Youth Training & Opportunity Program (YTOP) include:

    1. Teach up to 40 youth about the benefits of organic growing in urban settings to establish sustainable practices through hands-on projects and community engagement
    2. Establish positive connections and post-secondary outcomes for North Minneapolis youth as they contribute to a community-led food system and break perceived barriers to urban agriculture
    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy.