Go Farm Connect is partnering with Urban Roots to host a free Youth in Urban Ag Field Day, dinner and resource sharing program June 29 at Rivoli Bluff Farm, 749 Arkwright Street, St. Paul, from 2-5pm. Young people between the ages of 10 and 20 who are interested in agriculture and local food systems are especially encouraged to come see what resources are available for them to develop their skills and businesses. Family members, caregivers, youth program leaders, organization representatives, and members of the community are also welcome to attend. For more information and to RSVP, visit gofarmconnect.org.
A tour of Rivoli Bluff farm will showcase the work of Urban Roots in engaging youth in growing food, cooking, practicing conservation, and exploring agricultural careers. This event will also provide an introduction to local United States Department of Agriculture staff, who will explain the USDA Youth Loan program, along with other helpful resources to support young agricultural entrepreneurs. Language interpretation is available upon request on the pre-registration form.
Dinner will be sambusas and snacks from Karibu, an East African and Afro-Mediterranean deli.
“The USDA has done a lot to support youth initiatives in rural spaces, helping to support learning, growth and development of dreams around farming, food production and working with the land. Now that we have an Urban Ag office in St Paul that will serve the Twin Cities, I’m eager to see what’s possible in supporting urban youth as well as the organizations that serve them,” says Barthelemy. “This event will bring together youth, youth programming facilitators and the USDA to learn and share some challenges, hopes, and ideas to foster more opportunities for what’s possible in urban spaces. I’m excited for the mutual learning, ideas and connections that will come from this event!”
Go Farm Connect (GFC) is a farmer-led initiative to build relationships between historically underserved specialty crop farmers and federal farm agencies that can help producers succeed. The core of the program is farmer-Connectors who are trained to help farms of all sizes and specialties in Minnesota and Wisconsin to connect to the right agricultural assistance programs. Services are FREE.
GFC news release
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