Growing Tomorrow’s Stewards in Appalachia: Summer Sprouts Advanced Camp

Commodities

Practices

Building on the success of Summer Sprouts, this proposal pilots an innovative garden program for older students, engaging 20 campers and 5 youth Garden Education Mentors (GEMs) in hands-on regenerative agriculture projects led by local farmers. Students will explore sustainable agriculture, learn about local farming careers, and build leadership and stewardship skills. The program blends experiential learning, intergenerational mentorship, and farmer-led, youth-informed curriculum. Outcomes, curriculum, and lessons learned will be shared with educators and presented at local conferences in 2026 such as the School Gardens of Ohio and Rural Action Green Teachers Conferences, to support broader adoption.

1. 20 participating campers and 5 youth Garden Education Mentors (GEMs) improve knowledge of several regenerative agriculture practices through hands-on gardening projects led by local farmers.
2. Youth understand a variety of sustainable agriculture careers available locally by learning from farmers working in various contexts including farmers markets, CSAs, OEFFA, Ohio University, and community-based organizations.
3. Curriculum developed for summer camp that is farmer-led and youth informed. Outcomes and learnings from this pilot are shared by staff and youth with educators and at conferences.