COLORBEARER OF ATHENS, GEORGIA LOCALLY OWNED SINCE 1987
July 29, 2016

Land Trust Wins Grant for Young Urban Farmers

 

USDA-Dontae-with-Beets.jpg

Photo Credit: Athens Land Trust

Young Urban Farmer Dontae Meadows.

The Athens Land Trust will continue its Young Urban Farmers program for at least another year after winning a $48,000 grant , in partnership with the Oconee River Soil and Water Conservation Board, from the National Association of Conservation Districts.

The program pays at-risk public high school students to work at the land trust’s two urban farms (one off North Avenue and the other at the West Broad School). Participants also take a six-week cooking class and learn sales and marketing techniques and how to write business plans.

Sixty students have participated in the program since its inception in 2013.

The Clarke County School District previously funded the program but cut it as part of its 2016–17 budget that took effect July 1. Funding was redirected to the Great Promise Partnership, a program that matches students with mentors in business.

comments