July 29, 2024 | Education
Summer Stories: Youth Development Program, Week 5
We made significant progress on the farm, engaged in justice-themed workshops, hiked Mt. Trashmore, and prepared for the Mega Market.

The Youth Development Program is a paid opportunity for high-school-age students to develop and hone various skills in preparation for life beyond the classroom. The summer session is called the Seed Crew, and is 8 weeks of working, learning, and connecting as a team.
Here is a recap of Week Five:
Monday: We focused on farm work, making progress on various weeding projects and planting some of our Fall brassica plants. We also kicked off this week’s workshops, centered around the theme of Justice. The students discussed what elements of justice were present and absent in their communities while growing up.
Tuesday: Continuing with the theme of Justice, we took a walk up Mt. Trashmore to get a better view of our city. At the top, we held our workshop, discussing societal issues and ways to foster a more just society. Many students had never been to Mt. Trashmore before and enjoyed identifying familiar landmarks from the top.
Wednesday: Despite the rain, we managed to accomplish a lot once the weather cleared. This included significant harvesting for the Mega Market and assisting Groundswell with pizza dough preparation.
Thursday: The day was dedicated to setting up and final harvesting and washing of produce. We had an excellent turnout at the market, with several students stopping by on their own time. We even had the pleasure of seeing a student from a previous year.
Check back next week for Week Six!