A couple of weeks ago, I happened upon an awesome organization in Brattleboro, VT called the Youth Horticulture Project. The Horticulture Project runs programs for young children and teens focused on building life skills and job experience through sustainable agriculture, and also teaching kids how to grow and eat healthy foods. I spoke with Liz Kenton, Youth Horticulture Coordinator, about the programs offered at YHP. The YHP summer program hires local teenagers to grow food at the on-site organic garden. The teens harvest crops every week and bring them to sell at the farmers market, where they can interact with the Brattleboro community and contribute delicious organic produce! These young adults leave the program in the fall with important job skills and knowledge about organic gardening. YHP also has year-round nutrition and agricultural education with regional schools and partners with other groups that have similar missions. My favorite part of the program is their curriculum that teaches safe, informative ways to cook with young children. Violin/baseball prodigies are always nice, but how about young cooks? Everyone loves good food.

 

For more information on the Youth Horticulture Project check out their website here.

 

 

Photos: Julian Post