August 17, 2026 | Education
Summer Stories: Youth Development Program, Week 7
Wrapping Up the Season with Full Steam Ahead
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.
Monday was focused largely on farm work as we prepared for the rainy week ahead. We also tested a few new group and leader combinations to carry us through the end of the season. Afterward, our Root Crew leaders shared their feedback and identified a few additional changes that could help the groups work even better. It was great to see them feel empowered to speak up, problem-solve, and have a thoughtful conversation about what could be improved.
We ended the day with a workshop focused on career goals. Anyssa led students through a series of questions designed to help them identify careers that might fit their strengths and interests, along with the steps needed to reach those goals. For several students, the conversation brought some eye-opening discoveries about careers they had—or hadn’t—considered pursuing.
Tuesday got off to a late start thanks to lightning and rain. Once the weather cleared, we headed outside to tackle some of our regular farm tasks. Two groups also spent time at Groundswell Cafe, helping with food prep and moving catering supplies to a new location in the building.
After lunch, students participated in a STEM workshop about weather and its impact on farming. The timing couldn’t have been better with the week’s rainy conditions and the sixth anniversary of the derecho that had such a significant impact on our area. Students also learned more about our new weather station and how the data it collects can help us make decisions on the farm.
Wednesday brought another rainy start, giving students time to work on their end-of-season presentations. There was plenty of activity as they created poster boards, worked on scripts, and planned what they wanted to share.
Once the rain cleared, we headed to Prairiewoods for a field trip. Students toured the donation gardens and learned about permaculture and agrivoltaics—two topics we had introduced during our agroecology workshops but hadn’t yet had the opportunity to see in action. We wrapped up our visit with some independent time to explore the beautiful grounds and trails before returning to the farm. Another round of showers arrived just as we got back, so students used the extra indoor time to continue preparing their presentations.
Thursday brought, you guessed it, more rain! Luckily, it held off just long enough for us to harvest nearly everything needed for that day’s CSA. Once the rain began, we headed to the Matthew 25 office to clean and re-seed our hydroponic system. For several students, this was their first introduction to this type of growing.
We finished the day with lunch together and a feedback session about the summer. Students shared thoughtful reflections about what worked well, what they enjoyed, and what we could improve for future Youth Development seasons.
With just one week remaining, we’re looking forward to finishing the season strong with fun workshops, student presentations, a potluck, and, of course, plenty more work on the farm. It’s a fitting way to celebrate everything these students have learned, accomplished, and contributed this summer.