a Menu for Agriculture-Based

Youth Development

Liz Kenton Farm-Based Education Conference November 2011

YOUTH

AGRICULTURE

PROJECT Growing Skills

Presentation Outline• Context: UVM Extension 4-H

• PYD and experiential learning:

What – So What – Now What?

• the Youth Agriculture Project’s history, philosophy, & programs

• Growing Skills• Discussion and Q&A

UVM … Extension … 4-H

Experiential Learning Model

the Youth Agriculture Project

Mission Statement

Through hands-on education in sustainable agriculture and healthy nutrition, the Youth Agriculture Project helps young people build the

life and job skills to participate in Vermont’s local food systems.

Youth Hort / Ag 2001-2011

2001 2004 2008 2011

Summer Work & Learn

Career Center Horticulture

Growing Connections

+ SWL Bennington

+ SWL Manchester

School Enrichment & Other programs

Alumni program

Insta-Gardens

Crop Mob

Pizza Garden kit

Indoor Gardens

School & Community Gardens Conf

Growing Skills

Brattleboro Farm & Educational Programs

Diversity of gardens and programs

Curriculum Assembly & DevelopmentContents

 

Introduction 3Welcome to Youth Agriculture 4How to Use This Guide 5

Teaching 7Positive Youth Development8State Learning Standards 15Curriculum Planning 16

Serious Games 19What is a Serious Game? 20Sample Serious Game 21Menu of Games 22Introductions 23Group Challenges 35Energizers and Transitions 49Workshops 55

Building Blocks 87Field Tasks 88Youth Mentoring Youth 90Farm and Garden Visits 99Market 100Community Service 110Cooking and Sampling 112Feedback 114Community Celebration 117

Growing Food 119Field Safety 120Planning Your Garden 122Using What Your Grow 126Glossary of Growing Terms127Planting Guide 128Harvest Calendar 131Harvest Key 133Ongoing Field Tasks 134Sources for Supplies 136Ways to Grow 137

Managing 141Securing a Space 142Recruitment 143Safety 147Schedules 152Recordkeeping 155Evaluation and Follow-Up 157Alumni 160

Resources 161Resource list 162Recipes 168 

Example pages

So What? –Distribution, feedback, and lessons learned

Criteria for reviewers 

Clear and ready-to-use

Multiple learning styles and abilities

Age-appropriate

Safety

Youth empowerment and youth-adult partnerships

Activities are engaging and have clear objectives

4-H life skill(s)

Now What? –Current Activities

• Winter 2011-12: Workshops; Distribution for field testing

• Spring 2012: Workshops; Support new sites; Ongoing revision based on feedback

• Summer: Field testing; Final feedback• Fall: Workshops; Final revisions

Resources & Connections

Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Patricia Hannaford Career Center (Middlebury)

VT Agency of Agriculture

Green Mountain Farm to School

Post Oil Solutions

Women’s Ag / New Farmers Network

4-H Educators

VT-FEED (Food Education Every Day)

Vermont Community Garden Network

Rutland Area Farm & Food Link

The Tutorial Center

YOUTH AG PROGRAMS

Growing SkillsCrop Mob

Pizza GardenChick to PlateInsta Garden

Q & A