YOUTH AMBASSADORS FOR A BETTER

Fighting Climate Change From TheGround Up

Agenda

Welcome & Intros

Who are YABC

Who Is ABC2?

Youth & AG

BATTER UP!

Get Into It!

Introduction/Icebreaker1. Say Your Name

1. State Your Pronouns (She/Her/Hers) (He/Him/His) (It,Their, They)

1. What do you expect to gain from this experience?

WORLD CHANGERSWe Just Don’t Walk In The Space...We Created The Space!

WHO ARE WE?• 75-100 Small town kids• Middle and High

schoolers• Advocates of the

environment • Hard workers• Farmers

2019-2020 YABC Officer Team

• Chance Holmes-Snowden- President• Anthony Gregg- Vice President• Aazizah Lee-Bryant- Secretary• Joi Kemp- Reporter• Gabby Rangel• Devin Bowen• Angelica Hines• T’Miracle Banks

WHERE ARE WE FR• Coastal North Carolina• Columbus, Bladen, Brunswick,

and New Hanover Counties• Whiteville• Wilmington• East Arcadia• Elizabethtown• Bladenboro• Food deserts, Low income

communities.

MISSION STATEMENT To increase the quantity, quality, and sustainability of community gardens in the tri-county areas of Columbus, Bladen, and Brunswick.

Why We’re Noteworthy

• Sell produce to urban markets AND provide food to our local community• First youth-of-color led food policy council in the state of NC!• The ONLY youth vendors, and youth-of-color at any of our farmers

markets• First youth-led food justice Summit in the state• We bought our own mobile trailer and youth helped write the grants!• Create a pipeline: from YA🡪🡪 college 🡪🡪 intern with us• Scholarships for youth• Annual Christmas Banquet

HOW DID WE GET STAR2014: Youth

Empowerment and Leadership

Today: Youth Empowerment and Environmental Leadership Group

Climate Justice SummitBack-to-School Day Farmers Market

OUR GOALS• Give youth a positive outlet to channel their skills.• Shatter the glass ceiling of young adult farmers.• Utilize our land to produce the most organic and

healthiest crops.• Advocate for surrounding communities.• Expose youth to new and challenging environments.

• Increase access to locally grown food• Build leadership and entrepreneurial skills • Support local farmers by creating new markets• Policy & Advocacy

WHO DO WE PARTNER WITH?Farmers Markets• New Hanover Regional Medical Center• Columbus• Elizabethtown

Area Farmers & Businesses (ex. Shelton’s Herb Farm)NC State & A&T Extension• North Carolina State University –Vacation Vittles• Columbus, Brunswick, & Bladen County Cooperative ExtensionFunders• Resourceful Communities Program• Z. Smith Reynolds • Kate B. Reynolds Foundation• Community Food Strategies

Local churches- particularly Graham’s Chapel

Peers: Food Youth Initiative, FFA

Local High Schools

Our Major Programs

Vacation VittlesVacationer Supported Agriculture program through NC State University and NC Cooperative Extension. How it works:

• Areas We Serve:• Ocean Isle Beach• Southport• Bald Head Island• Oak Island • Sunset Beach• Holden Beach

• Sustainable model- we make money, and farmers make money!

Vacation Vittles Coordinator

Local FarmersYouth Ambassadors Beach properties

Farmers MarketWhere are our markets?:• Columbus County Farmers Market –

Whiteville, NC• E-Town Farmers Market- Elizabethtown,

NC• New Hanover Regional Medical Center-

Wilmington, NCHow to conduct good customer service:

• Smile• Customers are always right• Give them a little bit of extra

Sales have increased because we are able to get repeat customers

2NDANNUAL YOUTH FOOD JUSTICE SUMMIT• Three-day youth-led conference May 24-26th 2019

• Incredible undertaking, and opportunity for us to learn about our group dynamics, multi-tasking, and problem-solving!

• Purpose• Learn what work is happening by other like-minded youth organizations throughout North Carolina• Fellowship with each other and have a good time!• Learn new skills and information about agriculture and our environment

2019’s Theme: Climate and Food Systems Resiliency

The day-to-day work• Hold two group meetings a

month.• Officer team leads the

meeting• When’s the next big thing?• Farmers markets• Developing garden schedule• Meeting with local officials

and university leaders• We balance work & play with

college tours and trips

HURRICANE FLORENCE & RECOVERY

• The Youth Ambassador Experience/Operation Airdrop• Post-storm reactions• How did the storm affect us?

• Lost our crop• Lost homes, roads were washed out

• What’s next for the farmers in our area?• Have to find new and innovative ways of gardening,

because storms are more frequent

• Just Florence Recovery Summit

THANK YOU!Please visit us at:https://www.menandwomenunited.org/

Making Sustainable Ag

Cool for Young People 101

December 6, 2019Presented By ABC2 World

Changers:Zachary Clemons

Tray Dekle

Welcome

Tray Dekle

Community StandardsListen and Show You Hear

One Speaker At A TimeAttack Ideas, Not People

Step Up, Step BackWear Our ABC2 Jersey

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A Better ChanceA Better Community

Get In To It!

Hello!We are the ABC2 World Changers

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Specific Purpose

To share ways to engage youth in Sustainable Agriculture Program exhibit through the development

of the Youth Led ABC2 Community Farm Of Hope,

Prosperity & Change

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What is ABC2?

Impact?Programs?

Heard?Meaning?

Who we are

Founded in 2012 by Enfield resident Mr. Chester B. Williams, A Better Chance, A Better Community (ABC2) is a nonprofit organization

that exists to…

“empower young people by providing a life skills program that promotes positive

values, healthy habits, and educationthrough community development, culture,

and awareness—resulting in real life power, World Changers are Game Changers.”

Mission Statement

Connecting underserved and marginalized communities with resources to empower youth and advocate for community solutions and healthier lifestyles.

Changing The World One Community At A Time!

4 Focus AreasHealthy EatingActive LivingCivic Engagement Youth Empowerment/Entrepreneurship

Focus Areas & Moving Forward

Active LivingMeets Every 1st Saturday (World Changers Orientation)

• Recreate U$

– Draft Parks & Rec Master Plan Cliff Notes

– Youth Town Hall Meetings

– Community Engagement Sessions

– Advocate for County Wide Parks & Rec Department

Focus Areas & Moving Forward Civic Engagement

Meets Every 2nd Saturday

• Rock The Vote

– Voters Registration Goal Of 250

– Policies to Lower Voting Age to 16

– Party At The Polls

Focus Areas & Moving Forward

Healthy EatingMeets Every 3rd Saturday

• Community Farm Of Hope, Prosperity & Change

– Grown Kale, Spinach, Tomatoes, Onions, Basil, Dill

– Developing Farmers In Training Curriculum

– Attending & Presenting at Local, State & National Convenings

2 Acres

Garden of Hope,

Prosperity, and Change (aka

“The Community

Farm”)

Healthy Food

A Place for Community

World Changers’

Empowerment Center

A Place to Garden and

Grow

Planting in a community garden in

Westview, Atlanta, GA

Community Farm Coordinator

What’s Growing On?Working Together Works!!!

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The Beginning

Dreaming sessions 2017:

● Community Engagement Sessions

Clearing of land

Funding Support - Resourceful Communities/PICH

Climate Justice Summit

The Grand Opening Saturday, April 27, 2019

● Community & Partners Day● Haliwa-Saponi Tribe Ceremony● Century Farm Dedication● 5K - Farm Run/Walk

Grand Opening

Community Days @ Farm

Every 3rd & 4th Saturdays • Community Gathering Days

• Clean up

• Work on Specific Tasks

• Learn a new Garden Lesson

• Community Luncheon

Youth MEETS FARM

Open MicBBQ & Community

Veterans Farm Party

Student Interns

• DUKE In t e r n s• Z Sm it h Re yn o ld s NPIP • Hig h Sc h o o l In t e r n s• Wa ld e n Un ive r s it y • Co lle g e In t e r n s

Permaculture Garden (Edible Gardens) 45

Permaculture gardening is based on the concept of using the perfect plants for the climate, and utilizing only what works best for the local environment

We planted two Permaculture gardens at Franklinton Center At Bricks and our own ABC2 Community Farm. Edible Gardens which includes native fruit trees,

herbs and bushes.

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Founded March 2019

Growing Real Opportunities With KidsGROW-K Food Council

GROW-K Youth Food CouncilGrowing Real Opportunities With Kids

● Host Trainings. Addressing Social Determinants of Health.● Co n d u c t a He a lth y Fo o d s As s e s s m e n t o f Ha lifa x (He a lth y Fo o d s

Ma p )

● De e p e n th e le a d e r s h ip c a p a c it y o f yo u th

● Sit e vis it t o a r e a Fo o d Co u n c ils fo r g u id a n c e , a d vic e a n d p e e r

le a rn in g .

● Ho s t 10 Co m m u n ity En g a g e m e n t Se s s io n s & Fo c u s Gro u p

2020 Bound:

World Changers2020

COMMUNITY FARM OF HOPE, PROSPERITY & CHANGE

SUNFLOWER PROGRAM

HIGH TUNNEL PROGRAM

CHICKEN PROGRAM

Chief Global Catalyst

Tray Dekle

RECREATE U$

● Draft Master Plan Cliff Notes

● Voters Registration Campaign

● Summer Fitness Program

● Teen Focus Groups

● Fitness Party

GROW-K● Garden Parties

● Food Assessment ● Community Based Healthy Foods Model

● Healthy Corner Store Initiative

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How To Get Involve

Ways To Grow With Us!

• Community Days @ Farm Each 3rd & 4th Saturday 10am - 2pm• Community Work Days Every Monday & Wednesday 9am - 12n• Donate to our Community Farm Campaign abc2nc.org• Sponsor a Raised Bed for our Blessing Boxes ($25/month)• Donate Tools

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How to engage youth in Sustainable Agriculture

● Planning fun events about agriculture

● Go in g o n t r ip s t o d iffe r e n t fa r m s

● Sh o w u s h o w g r o win g yo u r o wn fo o d is h e a lth ie r

● En c o u r a g e yo u n g p e o p le t o b e a c t ive o n fa r m s

● We Like to Pa r ty with a Pu r p o s e

● As k yo u n g p e o p le wh a t t h e y like , In c lu d e In e n t ir e p r o c e s s

Engage Youth In Sustainable Agriculture

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● Link social media to agriculture● Improve Agriculture image● Put Agriculture in school curriculum ● Encourage youth to speak up

Youth can engage in Agriculture through social media and things they are very familiar with

Youth EmpowermentDo’s & Don’ts

ForAdult Allies

WHAT NOT TO D

• Force kids to join• Have a non conducive schedule • Make it uncomfortable • Don’t make it where people can’t join due to beliefs and other

reasons• Have the program misrepresent what we believe will help

benefit the community

Do’s/Don'ts for Adult AlliesDo’s ● Listen to our ideas ● Let us have

freedom to pursue our ideas

● Talk to Us Not At Us

● Provide Advice & Support

● Encourage Us● Call Us Youth,

Young People or World Changers

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Don'ts ● Condemn their

ideas● Don’t Talk over

them ● Dictate To Us● Compare Us To

Others● Call Us Kids

How to Maintain Youth Relevancy?

Youth Relevance...

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In a youth required organization the youth have to be the main priority and every decision should be in the best interest of them.

● Allow the youth to have a voice● Incorporate youthful activities● Develop programs with them● Include the youth in decision making● Allow them to represent their own interests

HOW To GET YOUTH TO STICK Incentivize!

• Food • Paid internships, job experience , scholarships,

volunteer hoursHelp the community Balance Work and Play with Beneficial trips

• College tours• Peer visits

Don’t make it a hassle • Keep it engaging, provide transportation, and open

How to connect Youth & Adult par tnerships

Youth and Adult connection...

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Youth and adult partnerships are when grown -ups work in partnership with young people to handle issues that young people face or problems that your society or your community face.

- Importance of youth and adults staying connected

- Having confidence on the judgements of young

people

- Young people are viewed as valued resources with

individual assets

3 Things You Should Do!

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Join the ABC2 & YABC! Networks

Connect with other Youth Groups

Be Honestly Consistent

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Why are partnerships important?

List of reasons why Partnerships are important...

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1) Partnerships are Important for your business's growth, success, and longevity

2) Two or more heads are better than one3) The roles and expectations of each individual

will be well communicated, understood and accepted.

4) Partnerships imply a shared leadership among respected individuals who are recognized and

empowered by their own organizations to build agreements and resolve conflicts.

5) A healthy partnership promotes an atmosphere of learning

Batter Up !

ABC2: Get Into It!

Thank You!Any questions?If you need any additional information you can contact us at...➝ zachary@abc2nc.org➝ shykeem@abc2nc.org➝ tray@abc2nc.org➝ kentwan@abc2nc.org➝ ceo@abc2nc.org

ABC2 Hotline: 252.592.1197Or contact ABC2 CEO: Chester Williams@ (252)-200-6689

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Our social media Outlets

Instagram: @abc2wc

Facebook: A Better Chance/A Better Community