Youth Ambassadors Shantasia (left) and Anaya (right) |
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What an exciting March! We've been overwhelmed with all the support and opportunities that we've been afforded over this past month, and we love getting to look back and share in the excitement with all of you.
This month is National Garden Month! Come out to St. Pete Youth Farm to learn more about what we do or check out upcoming events and workshops below. Our sister garden, Bartlett Park Community Garden (1443 Highland St South) is a great example of where to go to volunteer and learn more about gardening!
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Youth Farm goes to Tallahassee |
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Left to right: Youth Ambassadors Justin Bowman, Anaya Graham, Shimya Mitchell, and Senator Darryl Rouson |
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One of the most exciting parts of our March was the opportunity to present to the Senate Committee of Agriculture over Spring Break.
Senator Darryl Rouson (who chairs the committee) invited us to come up and speak on the program, the impact it has had on the community and the youth involved. With only a few days to prepare for the trip, three Youth Ambassadors (pictured right) were able to make the journey up to Tallahassee.
It was a 24-hour trip. Arriving Tuesday evening, getting settled in the hotel, and invited for a private tour of the Florida Capitol Building with Senator Rouson. Wednesday morning was the presentation before the Senate Committee of Agriculture.
Our Youth Ambassadors were a shining example of how bright our future is. They spoke on the different elements of the program so seamlessly and impressed every one of the Senators on the committee. Each one took a moment after to share how much they loved what we're doing, some were even interested in having a program like ours in their district.
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After a successful presentation, we were invited up to visit Representative Michele Rayner in her office, another one of our champions in Tallahassee. This trip was an experience that was unforgettable and life-changing. A real example of what youth leadership and advocacy looks like.
Thank you Senator Rouson for this amazing opportunity!
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Women's History Month
Celebrating Amazing Women in St. Pete
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Ava DeVeaux
Bartlett Park Community Garden
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Erica Hall
FL Food Policy Council
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Gwendolyn Reese's award and gift |
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Our Women's History Month workday was so much fun!
It was a beautiful day to celebrate women who are making history now and every day. We celebrated Ava DeVeaux of the Bartlett Park Community Garden, Erica Hall who chairs the Florida Food Policy Council, and Gwendolyn Reese, president of the African American Heritage Trail and one of the founders of SUAC. These three women paved the way for us to do the kind of work we're doing at St. Pete Youth Farm. We gifted each of them a Certificate of Honor that was signed by our Youth Ambassador, Darion Newkirk, and a one-of-a-kind planter pot made by local clay artist Janis Smith. Each was beautifully arranged by Deja-Denice Sherrod.
We got a lot of cardboard and mulching done, counted and logged our veggie beds, extended our compost bins, laid down the sand in the kids' garden area, and did a lot of painting!
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We were so happy to have our volunteer yoga instructor come back to lead our morning yoga session! Thank you, Christie Bruner (Healthy St. Pete) for the donation of 25 yoga mats to the farm for future yoga sessions.
We were so grateful to 360 Eats for coming out and serving delicious food. They are a mobile gourmet soup kitchen and work to rescue food to get it on plates or in compost. Everyone got a chance to enjoy a plate and make a difference.
Special thanks to Council Member Brandi Gabbard and Michael Dema (Managing Assistant City Attorney) for speaking on the new ordinance that passed to allow residents to grow and sell produce from their homes.
Thank you, David Bennett (CEO of the Pinellas Realtor Organization), Lou Murray (Manasota Food Action Council) James Scott (Florida Suncoast Sierra Club), School Board Member Caprice Edmond, Boyzell Hosey (Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival), Erica Hardison (One Community Grocery Co-op), Malik Yakini (Detroit Black Community Food Security Network), Carrie Boucher (NOMAD Art Bus), Rob Greenfield, and Scott Bitterli for coming out and supporting.
Thank you, Noble Nectar Apiaries for dropping off beehive boxes for everyone to paint. An opportunity to bring some life and color to future hives that will be placed around St. Pete.
Thanks to Missy Hurley as well for donating a tent to the Youth Farm and providing bananas and water for the event.
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Volunteer leading yoga session |
Shimya, Youth Ambassador face painting |
Left to right: 360 Eats volunteer, Cameron Macleish, and Ellen Macleish |
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Farm Updates!
- We have 30 beds built out with 25 beds growing various veggies
- 1900+ plants in the ground
- 150 plants donated to us in March
- Planted a plantain, three mulberries, tamarind, passionfruit, dragonfruit, key lime, lime, and orange trees
- 60+ participated in our gardening classes with Rob Greenfield
- Five group farm tours
- 20+ total banana trees planted
- 600+ pounds of food rescued and composted in March
- 1/4 of the land covered and growing food
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Upcoming Events & Classes |
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St. Pete Youth Farm Celebrates Earth Day 2021
We understand the importance of being kinder to our planet, and how the work we do can benefit the Earth and all of us on it. April 21st - April 24th we have events lined up centered around our planet, sustainability, and how we can grow our own food to become more resilient. Saturday, April 24th will be our community workday and market from 9am - 12pm.
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FREE Workshops at the Farm
Join us for any number of workshops we'll be hosting at St. Pete Youth Farm this Spring. We provide weekday evenings and weekend mornings to accommodate varying schedules. All ages are welcome.
The first workshop is TODAY, April 7th! With J Pablo covering the basics of building quality soil. Come out at 6pm! Or join us for our other exciting workshops. Register below so instructors can better prepare.
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Youth Articles in The Weekly Challenger |
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Check out our Youth Ambassadors' articles in The Weekly Challenger! Previous articles can be read on our website or on The Weekly Challenger's "Voices of our Youth" section.
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If you'd like to volunteer, take a moment to fill out our volunteer engagement survey. We're at the farm Tuesdays and Fridays from 3:30pm - 5:30pm.
Interested in donating? Find out how to become an official sponsor on our website.
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