Growing Green Leadership at Added Value Farms

This grant will support the design of a leadership curriculum to better prepare participants to succeed at work and in society. Added Value and Herban Solutions wants to improve its teen apprenticeship program, The Youth Empowerment Program (YEP), where teens of color learn how to run an urban farm and farmers market in Red Hook, Brooklyn. The program teaches participants workplace-related skills, such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and time management. Participants are tasked with managing and leading their peers and adult volunteers, yet they lack confidence in their abilities as leaders. Added Value will hire a youth educator to develop a leadership curriculum that will focus on critical thinking, identity, peer-to-peer dynamics, and social justice. In addition, field trips will be planned that will allow the apprentices time to bond with each other, set goals, offer feedback and reflect on the past growing season.