Cultivating Leaders @ EarthDance Organic Farm School

EarthDance's Junior Farm Crew has been growing and changing in 2018! EarthDance wanted its Apprenticeship program (usually only open to adults) to work more with the JFC, to build synergy between the youth and adults on the farm. In addition, two young people- Verdis and Robert- were chosen to be the inaugural Youth Apprentices from April-August. They have been loving it!  Verdis aspires to be a farmer, and Robert--an alumnus of the JFC--is always seeking to improve his skills for growing his own food.  In an interview about his time with the JFC, Robert said he enjoyed learning a lot of skills like how to work with the Earth and how to face problems every day. The Youth Apprentices receive free tuition to the Apprenticeship program, and were also paid as employees from April through August. 

The summer-only Junior Farm Crew was comprised of 6 dedicated employees: Atalya, Chris, Ijai, Julian, Meghan, and Nicholas. In addition to farm work, the Junior Farm Crew worked on leadership skills, engaged critical thinking, culinary skills, and public speaking.  The Instagram posts below will let the JFC tell you all about themselves, in their own words.

While the Youth Employment program is coming to a close for 2018, EarthDance looks to 2019 with great excitement and expectation!

#juniorfarmcrew #spotlight Meet Julian Hays, a 2018 member of the EarthDance Junior Farm Crew “I think everyone should know where their food comes from and how it gets on your plate. I found out about EarthDance because my mom saw an add on Facebook about it and showed it to me which got me interested. I joined the Junior Farm Crew through EarthDance because I got paid to learn about things I was interested in like farming and gardening. To me it was a win-win.” Julian Hays, age 16 . . . #earthdancefarms #rootedinferguson #farmlife #futurefarmer #farmfriday #urbanfarming #farmer #farm #organicfarm

A post shared by EarthDance Organic Farm School (@earthdancefarms) on Jul 13, 2018 at 12:16pm PDT

#juniorfarmcrew #spotlight Meet 16 year old Nicholas Williams, a 2018 EarthDance Junior Farm Crew member. “My mom found out about EarthDance and the Junior Farm Crew and told me about it. “The thought of working on a farm piqued my interest so I joined the JFC. I really love working at EarthDance Organic Farm School and hope that they'll always be around for the community. I don't really plan to do anything with farming in the future, but that's just me. I might join the JFC again. I pray that Earth Dance will stay successful and overcome any challenges.”

A post shared by EarthDance Organic Farm School (@earthdancefarms) on Jul 20, 2018 at 9:31am PDT

#juniorfarmcrew #spotlight Meet Ijai Jackson, a 17 year old member of the EarthDance Junior Farm Crew “I found out about EarthDance from a man who was the Junior Farm Crew leader. I joined the JFC because I found out I could get paid to learn about gardening and living a healthy lifestyle. I would like to garden later on in life because it helps me improve mentally and physically. EarthDance grows more than just crops. It grows love for the earth and it grows community.” Ijai Jackson Age 17 . . . . #earthdancefarms #rootedinferguson #futurefarmer #farmlife #farm

A post shared by EarthDance Organic Farm School (@earthdancefarms) on Jul 24, 2018 at 4:17pm PDT

#juniorfarmcrew #spotlight Meet twins Atalya (left) and Meghan (right) Robinson. “What drew me to farming was the idea of medicinal herbs. I found out about EarthDance and the JFC through one of my former educational instructors. I joined because I know that learning how to plant and grow crops will benefit me in the future. In my future, I plan to grow my own herb garden and use it for medicinal purposes.” - Atalya Robinson Age 18 “My favorite part about EarthDance is the energy the farmers and apprentices bring to the farm. Everyone is so energetic and positive. They always come up with funny jokes which I think are hilarious” - Meghan Robinson Age 18 . . . #earthdancefarms #rootedinferguson #farmlife #futurefarmers

A post shared by EarthDance Organic Farm School (@earthdancefarms) on Jul 25, 2018 at 1:41pm PDT

Meet Chris Jamison, a 16 year old member of the Junior Farm Crew at EarthDance Organic Farm School. “I found out about EarthDance Organic Farm School and the Junior Farm Crew from my science teacher. Getting to work on a farm was different than anything I’ve done before. My favorite part about working at the farm is harvesting. I want to have my own garden someday and grow lots of tomatoes. My life goal is to join the UFC and do Mixed Martial Arts. Growing my own food and eating healthy can provide nutrients for strength. With the money I made working I was able to do some fun summer things like go to six flags. I plan to join the JFC next year.” -Chris Jamison Age 16 . . . . #earthdancefarms #rootedinferguson #farmlife

A post shared by EarthDance Organic Farm School (@earthdancefarms) on Jul 27, 2018 at 9:21am PDT

Today, the Junior Farm Crew made healing salve with herbs from EarthDance.

A post shared by EarthDance Organic Farm School (@earthdancefarms) on Jul 25, 2018 at 9:55am PDT