Yesterday was a hot day to be out in the gardens. Out in Powderhorn they stayed cool playing one of their favorite water games.
Drip!
Drip!
Splash!
Maimouna Making Moves
Maimouna Muhammad is the epitome of an empowered young women! She is a true leader, not just at Youth Farm, where she helps grow youth leaders of the next generation, but in her community as well, where she’s making moves for social justice. When Maimouna first came to Youth Farm in 2012, she was a volunteer that fell in love with the work we do, and would ask for a job at any turn, the whole while proving her worth and enthusiasm for youth work. She is determined and hard working, and has the drive to achieve whatever she sets her mind to.
At Youth Farm, in her youth leadership role, Maimouna has a very powerful presence and influence on the youth and everyone that she works with. She leads by example by putting in work where it’s needed, and people gravitate towards her presence and want to listen to her. She helps create such a welcoming environment by talking and engaging with the youth in a friendly way. If something goes wrong, she helps to mediate situations very respectfully. She is very caring, but firm, wanting what’s best for everyone and making sure everyone has a good understanding of each other. She’s calm and collected with a very good energy about her.
Maimouna knows herself, and she knows her worth. She puts her efforts towards raising her voice and being an activist to the cause of social justice. She is apart of organizations such as Voices for Social Justice, the Black Liberation Project, as well as the Black Lives Matter movement.
Youth Farm has enjoyed many laughs and revolutions with Maimouna Muhammad on our team these last four years.
*This post is part of a series of posts recognizing Youth Farm’s graduating seniors. It was written by Farm Steward Zainab Youngmark*
Powderhorn Snap Poll!
We took a snap poll of some of the Powderhorn staff and asked them their favorite part of this summer’s program. Here is what they shared:
Kemi, Project LEAD: “The activity groups, and leading the kids in activities they like.”
Maimouna, Project LEAD and Garden Staff: “Watching our hard work in the garden flourish, like being able to care and tend for the garden and being rewarded with such delicious fruits/veggies.”
Jordan, Kitchen Assistant: “Cooking with different kids every week & getting to know new people.”
Ellesha, Project LEAD: “The ceramics addition to the program because it offers a new experience for kids that they might not get outside of Youth Farm.”
Madelene, Summer Cook: “Seeing the kids finish a dish and be so proud of it and be excited to serve it to their camp mates.”
Harrison, Project LEAD: “I like the kids because they bring different talents and different attitudes and I like to see all of it.”
Zainab, Summer Program Manager and Farm Steward: “The youth’s enthusiasm to try things, new or old.”
Amm-Ra, Project LEAD: “The generally relaxed atmosphere of the garden every morning and having it be reasonably cool. Everyone’s always sitting about in a circle and generally laid back in the morning ready to discuss the day’s plan.”
Frank, Project LEAD: “Dodgeball. It’s fun for everyone and it’s a good way to connect with the kids.”
Charlot, Project LEAD and Garden Staff: “Personally it’s been leading Powderhorn [garden]. Mouna and I work well together. As for features of the program this summer itself, it’s been seeing and meeting all these new participants.”
Youth Farmers highlighted on KARE 11’s “Kids who Kare”
This is one of the best media highlights that I have ever seen done on Youth Farm, the impact of our work, and the importance of youth leaders in a community.
Thanks for the great highlight KARE 11! Help Youth Farm continue to grow more great youth leaders by contributing to our Summer Growing Campaign 2016.
Charlot-Man of Epic Tales
If you have been to a Powderhorn Youth Farm program or community event in the last 8 years chances are you have met Charlot and experienced the creative expression that has been the hallmark of his time at Youth Farm. Charlot began his Youth Farm journey in 2008. His early years in the program included trips to Farm Camp and days spent reading while gardening (yes, WHILE gardening…and walking….and eating). His love of a good book fueled his creative expressions. Soon he was not reading others’ tales, but writing his own and incorporating his creative expressions into Youth Farm focus groups like the zine group, martial arts, and movement and dance. Throughout the years, he was often seen with a younger group of Youth Farmers, inspiring and mentoring them to also follow their own creative passions.
Not only did Charlot pave his own path but he also found ways to apply creativity to the Youth Farm way of doing youth work. He plays dodge ball without touching the ball, applies permaculture practices to the redesign of our farm spaces, and incorporates finger weaving into after school cooking classes.
While I have known Charlot for years and have been witness to the talents of this “man of epic tales”, I had the honor this year to work side by side with Charlot in the Powderhorn neighborhood. I experienced firsthand his dedication to his community as he poured time and energy into redesigning our Ba’hai Farm space (a space he has contributed to for the last 5 years). I learned from him the best practices and things that make the Powderhorn program unique. He supported the program as we transitioned in new staff helping to build our Green Central hoop house and stepping into increased leadership roles leading his own farm groups and focus groups. He mentored younger Project LEAD demonstrating dedication, thoughtfulness, and a passion to make his community better through creativity and hard work.
While Charlot’s official time at Youth Farm comes to a close as he moves on to college, he has left a lasting mark on our Powderhorn Program. His contributions helped to foster a culture of creativity that makes the program uniquely Powderhorn.
*This post is part of a series of posts recognizing Youth Farm’s graduating seniors. It was written by Associate Director Amanda Stoelb*
Getting Tasty with Wild Sorrell
On a recent morning in Powderhorn Park our garden group took their weeding to the next level. We tasted all sorts of edibles right from the garden, from sorrell to lamb’s quarter, dandelion greens to rhubarb, spinach to snow peas. Mariah and Kamaya loved the sorrell so much they added a bit of its soury flavor to their lemon bars at lunch.
Meet the South Minneapolis Farm Stewards!
Summer is underway at Youth Farm led by our incredible team of Farm Stewards. Meet your South Minneapolis Farm Stewards Zainab Youngmark, Jesus Perez, and Demetrius Hro-Gant!
Zainab joined the Youth Farm team in the Powderhorn neighborhood when she was young. Throughout the years, she served as a Project LEAD staff and also helped to develop Powderhorn’s after school cooking classes. Zainab is the Summer Program Manager for the Powderhorn neighborhood and is the on-site contact for youth and families in that program. Learn more about Zainab here.
Jesus has been involved in the Lyndale Youth Farm Program for over 10 years. As part of the inaugural Farm Stewards Program in 2011, he helped to develop the program into what it is today: an opportunity for program graduates to have increased leadership roles and serve as mentors to younger youth participants. Jesus is the Summer Program Manager for the Lyndale neighborhood and is the on-site contact for youth and families in that program. Learn more about Jesus here.
Demetrius joined the Youth Farm team last summer as a summer staff. Prior to joining Youth Farm, Demetrius gained valuable experience in youth work and food justice through his roles at Beacons, the Cultural Wellness Center, and HOPE Community. In his role as Farm Steward, Demetrius manages the farms in the Lyndale and Powderhorn neighborhoods and is a summer staff in the Powderhorn neighborhood.
Look for the South Minneapolis Farm Stewards through the Lyndale and Powderhorn neighborhoods this summer!
Meet our Amazing Staff!
As we gear up for our 22nd summer, we at Youth Farm want to take a moment to reintroduce and acknowledge our staff that dedicate so much time, expertise, and passion to the youth and families in our Youth Farm neighborhoods.
Meet Director of St. Paul Programs Sarah Sarzoza and Director of South Minneapolis Programs Phil Rooney!
Sarah joined the Youth Farm team 2 years ago as our Frogtown Program Director. She brought with her a wealth of experience in youth development and community organizing as well as a love for the neighborhood she grew up in (Frogtown). In her new role as Director of St. Paul programs, Sarah is the first point of contact for families and community partners in our West Side and Frogtown Neighborhoods. Additionally, her role will focus on leadership development and training in both Frogtown and the West Side. Learn more about Sarah and how to contact her here
Phil is entering his 10th summer with Youth Farm. He began his work with Youth Farm on the West Side and served as the Lyndale Program Director for 6 years prior to becoming Director of South Minneapolis Programs. In addition to his experience at Youth Farm, Phil brings with him strong leadership and youth development experience. In his role as Director of South Minneapolis Programs, Phil is the first point of contact for families and community partners in our Powderhorn and Lyndale Neighborhoods. Additionally, his role will focus on leadership development and training in both Powderhorn and Lyndale. Learn more about Phil and how to contact him here.
We are honored that Phil and Sarah choose to share their talents with Youth Farm and are excited to have their leadership. Look for them throughout their Youth Farm neighborhoods next week as we start our summer program!
Thank You Amm-Ra!
You wouldn’t think that running uphill on all fours would be fun after gardening all morning, But it’s a common event during Powderhorn lunchtimes. Amm-ra started these quadruped races and when not playing himself is often talking or sketching with the youth. Drawings are brought out and discussed, tips given, jokes and stories told. The group breaks down in the mad rush after seconds are called, but re-forms around Amm-ra in a few minutes. He is a steady presence, going about the tasks of the day with a wry grin and a joke. His humor and engagement brings many together, making the work light and the days memorable.
I’ve worked with Amm-ra for three years and known him for many more. He brings his ideas and dedication to the community as a whole, working as an artist and actor at Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask theater, as staff for Adventures in Cardboard and all around volunteer-about-powderhorn.
He’s been a longtime participant of Youth Farm, a fixture of the program we have come to count on. He started Youth Farm 2008 as the Comi-con King of Baha’i farm, and has been consistent, from participant to All-Star to LEAD, working tirelessly on what ever is the task at hand. It has been my privilege to work, and play, with him as he grew into the LEAD staff we are proud of today.
Amm-ra has graduated from South and plans to attend MCTC and keep himself involved in the Powderhorn community in the fall, but until then… Here’s to one more summer of running up hills.
*This post is part of a series of posts recognizing Youth Farm’s graduating seniors. It was written by Powderhorn Project LEAD Charlot Shaw*
Youth Farm Spring Life
Here are some fun photos from just one week in spring!
Not pictured: stir-fry with bok choi, kohlrabi greens, green onions, and green garlic!