Presented By: Delphine Iradukunda, Purdue University
Co-Authors: Aster Bekele, Felege Hiwot Center
Theoneste Nzaramyimana, Kentucky State University
Kathryn Orvis, Purdue University
Nathan Shoaf, Purdue University

Urban agriculture initiatives developed for youth have the capacity to motivate learning, include minority groups, and allow participation in activities that foster self-growth, community engagement, and entrepreneurship. This pilot study builds on a partnership between a midwestern university and the Felege Hiywot Center's (FHC) successful youth urban farming program, now focusing on how that programing could contribute to developing life skills, sustainable agriculture knowledge, and entrepreneurial skills. A mixed methods approach was utilized, including pre/post surveys, student presentations, and observations. Participants were twenty-eight high school aged youth, of which 91% self-identified as African American. Main foci of the project were participants' life skills, entrepreneurial skills and mindset, sustainable agriculture content, and community collaborations. Key findings from the summer pilot post survey (n=23) indicate that 48% of participants could define sustainable agriculture, 55% understood its significance to their community, and 52% recognized the advantages of crop rotation. Sixty five percent of participants could identify the three sustainability pillars: economics, environment, and social. The program's influence on participants' future plans was notable, with 52% experiencing a change in their outlook. This impact is attributed to the collaborative efforts of volunteers, professionals, sponsors, and the structured nature of the FHC program, which also emphasizes the importance of individual backgrounds. The potential to impact and enhance life skills, foster self-awareness, improving family communication, and opening avenues for future education and career opportunities will allow for a broader development and expansion of this project. This pilot contributes to the broader discourse on youth programs in urban agriculture by highlighting the integrative approach of experiential learning, farm-based education, and student-centered learning within a youth development framework. While early in the project, this pilot shows promise in underlining the critical role of urban agriculture programs in shaping the lives and future prospects of minority youth.