A garden doesn’t just feed us; it shapes us. It builds resilience, teaches valuable skills, and brings people together. This belief is at the heart of Cibus Mission’s Youth Urban Farm Program, where at-risk youth, ages 8-17, learn not just how to grow food, but also how to grow into their potential.
At Cibus Mission, we see gardening as more than just planting and harvesting! It's a powerful tool for STEM learning, hands-on education, and personal development. Working with soil teaches kids fundamental lessons in science, technology, engineering, and math: from understanding plant biology and ecosystems to learning about soil chemistry and water cycles. Every seed planted is a lesson in patience, responsibility, and problem-solving.
Growing More Than Food
A garden is a mirror of life. As our youth dig into the soil, they uncover not only nutrients and roots but also perseverance and creativity. A child struggling in school might suddenly see science come to life through composting and photosynthesis. Another might learn engineering principles while constructing raised beds or setting up irrigation systems.
There are days when a student might pull weeds and, in the process, let go of frustration or anger. Other days, they feel the joy of planting seeds, eager to watch them grow. Gardening becomes a place where their inner and outer worlds connect, giving them a safe space to learn, heal, and dream.
Hands in the Soil, Eyes on the Future
More than just a summertime program, this initiative is a pathway to real-world skills and opportunities. It empowers young people by teaching them skills that can lead to careers in sustainable agriculture, environmental science, culinary arts, and entrepreneurship.
Vandana Shiva once said, “The power to feed ourselves is the power to free ourselves.” By equipping youth with the knowledge and ability to grow their own food, we are giving them tools for independence, confidence, and success.
A Community of Growth
Through our program, students connect with nature, their community, and a larger purpose. From the millions of microorganisms in the soil to the changing phases of the moon influencing plant growth, they see firsthand how everything is interconnected. The act of harvesting a tomato or snapping a green bean off the vine becomes a moment of empowerment, pride and joy. A clear and simple reminder that they have the ability to create, sustain, and share.
Because our students live in low to moderate income housing, we focus on teaching small-space gardening. They learn how to grow food in small spaces like vertical planters, thus ensuring that no matter where they live, they have the skills to cultivate fresh, healthy food for themselves and their families.
Sowing Seeds of Change
Every seed planted by our youth carries a story: a past filled with history, a present full of effort, and a future full of potential. At Cibus Mission, we are cultivating more than just food. We are growing leaders, innovators, and changemakers.
Because when you give a child the chance to plant something, you’re not just growing a garden. You’re growing a future.
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