Multicultural Urban Food & Ecology Initiative: YOUTH STEWARDS

Project Overview

YENC24-216
Project Type: Youth Educator
Funds awarded in 2024: $6,000.00
Projected End Date: 02/15/2026
Grant Recipient: Prairie Rose Agricultural Institute for Research, Innovation and Education (PRAIRIE)
Region: North Central
State: Minnesota
Project Manager:
RICHARD HALL
Prairie Rose Agricultural Institute for Research, Innovation and Education (PRAIRIE)

Commodities

Not commodity specific

Practices

  • Animal Production: feed/forage
  • Crop Production: high tunnels or hoop houses, low tunnels, organic fertilizers
  • Education and Training: mentoring, workshop, youth education
  • Energy: solar energy
  • Farm Business Management: land access
  • Natural Resources/Environment: biodiversity, drift/runoff buffers, habitat enhancement, Rain gardens
  • Pest Management: mulches - general, physical control
  • Production Systems: integrated crop and livestock systems, organic agriculture
  • Soil Management: composting, earthworms, green manures, soil microbiology, soil quality/health
  • Sustainable Communities: community development, ethnic differences/cultural and demographic change, food access and security, food sovereignty, leadership development, partnerships, urban agriculture, urban/rural integration

    Proposal abstract:

    The Urban Food & Ecology Project
    is a collaboration of seven organizations, representing diverse
    cultures.  Our summer YOUTH STEWARDS will enjoy hands-on
    experiences in community gardens and at Prairie Rose Farm, under
    leadership from farmers and gardeners with decades of experience
    in Sustainable Agriculture. 

     

    Project objectives from proposal:

     

    1. Introduce underserved BIPOC
    youth and their families to sustainable community gardening and
    farming to ensure they have access to fresh food and build a
    sustainable local food system that  unites small-scale new
    farmers with urban gardeners.  

    1. Increase sustainable
      farming/gardening skills of 12-20 high school students through
      hands-on work with urban and rural organic and regenerative
      farmers and gardeners 
    2. Introduce youth to Food and
      Ecology career opportunities through interviews and 3 hands-on
      projects with farmers, grocers, food pantries, and
      chefs.

    4.. Increase agricultural and
    environmental awareness/literacy, including regeneration, soil
    health, carbon sequestration, bioremediation, perennial crops,
    pollinators, and climate adaptations.

    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.