

Through nutrition demonstrations and redemption of federal nutrition assistance coupons at markets and Women, Infants, and Children offices, Youth Farm students serve their communities and gain a better understanding of pressing social and economic issues.
Participants stay in school and pursue careers. Graduates have found jobs within Chicago’s growing urban agriculture and local food sector or as growers and interns within the program itself, motivated by the knowledge that they can contribute to their communities in meaningful ways.
“[The program] helps me make healthy choices and helps me learn how to grow other healthy foods in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle.” —Mario, Youth Farm in Lake County
“Mario loves it. It’s changed the way he eats! He now changes how I grocery shop. We used to buy pizzas, junk food, now it’s salads all the time. He’s telling me, ‘Buy romaine, Mom!' Romaine!!!” —Mario’s mother
Since its debut serving 13 teens in Lake County in 2003, the program has expanded and has achieved the following:
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Youth Farm teens work in all aspects of sustainable farming and food systems—from planting a farm to managing a beehive, from cooking with the food they grow to selling it at local farm stands and markets. Teens are paid a stipend for four hours per week in the spring and fall, and 20 hours per week in the summer, but the benefits far outweigh the wages they earn. By the end of the season, they have gained valuable job and teamwork skills, discovered a whole new way to look at the food they eat, and grown their support system to include supervisors, program coordinators, legislators, and their fellow participants. In addition to actual farming and farm-based workshops, each Youth Farm season combines field trips, nutrition education, and entrepreneurship to create a richer educational and life experience for each of the participants.
During the season, the Youth Farms join together during four day-trips to explore aspects of the program in depth. These programmed trips incorporate challenges to engage participants in the experience and help them grow together as a team. The challenges include the following:
The Youth Farm carries the Chicago Botanic Garden’s mission into neighborhoods, while creating access to high-quality produce in underserved communities and encouraging healthy lifestyle choices and habits in the following ways:
Through their work at the farm, Youth Farmers are exposed to issues of food and social injustice and discuss how to combat these issues with entrepreneurship. While the demand for local, seasonal, and sustainably produced food has increased exponentially over the past decade, access to fresh produce is still a challenge for many Chicago residents. Youth Farmers are empowered to overcome this challenge through growing, harvesting, and then selling fruits and vegetables, establishing relationships with their customers in the communities where they live, many of which are food deserts.
Contact: Samantha Creightney, Community Education Manager
Headquarters: Farm On Ogden
Address: 3555 W. Ogden Avenue, Chicago IL | Phone: (847) 835-6807