Targeting Food Deserts in Athens, GA through Youth Agriculture: Young Urban Farmers

Issues: Since 2012, the Young Urban Farmer Development Program (YUF^DP), has operated at the West Broad Market Garden located in a low-income, underserved, and predominately African American neighborhood. Additionally, this neighborhood has been designated as a food desert due to community members limited access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food. In an effort to offset the lack of healthy food and fresh produce, YUF^DP students take part in the production and harvesting of fresh produce sold at farmer's market held on Tuesday's and Saturday's during the market season.

Description: The YUF^DP, in partnership with the Athens Land Trust and Classic City High School, is an urban farm-based, youth entrepreneurship program located in Athens, Georgia. Modeled after Grow Dat, a youth urban farming program in New Orleans, LA, the YUF^DP exists to offer at-risk high-school students an opportunity to learn about sustainable agriculture practices and gain entrepreneurial, leadership, and job skills.

Lessons Learned: Thus far, community members have benefitted from farmer's markets by being able to purchase fresh locally grown produce, attend educational workshops that address health disparities, and participate in health screenings. Furthermore, farmer's market allow YUF^DP students the opportunity to promote and sell products they have developed in entrepreneurial classes.

Recommendations: Currently, the YUF^DP is seeking to expand from 8 to 16 students by August 2014 in order to offer more at-risk high school students, who are largely disconnected from their food, opportunities in the field of agriculture and job skills.