Hawthorne Neighborhood

We’re excited to announce that Hawthorne Neighborhood has hired its first three Project LEAD youth! (Learn more about Youth Farm’s Project LEAD program) In addition to helping plan the farm sites, plan and host community events, and work with younger youth on gardening and cooking skills, these three youth will play an important role in shaping the future of Youth Farm in Hawthorne Neighborhood.

The Hawthorne LEAD attended a recent Project LEAD retreat with other Youth Farm Project LEAD from across the Twin Cities in Osceola, WI. At this retreat, Project LEAD from across the city came up with concrete steps towards addressing food justice in their neighborhoods. In addition to planning and helping plan the farms in Hawthorne, this spring, the Hawthorne Project LEAD will be working to develop a food distribution plan for the fruit and vegetables grown at Youth Farm.

Last Thursday, Hawthorne Project LEAD and All-Stars also helped prepare a community meal for families at Nellie Stone Johnson Community School. In all, Project LEAD and All-Stars helped cook and serve meals to over 150 parents and children as part of the Meals for Minds food distribution!

We have a busy spring ahead of us as we prepare for our first full summer of Youth Farm programming, but we are excited about the possibilities for our youth as we transition into this next phase of Youth Farm programming in Hawthorne neighborhood.

Support your Community by Supporting Youth Farm 

At Youth Farm and Market Project (YFMP), we respect our roots and our history.Without ongoing support, we would not be where we are today. We would love to have your support.

Click Here to support Transformative Youth Work

Your contribution today can support YFMP Youth-Led Food Movement that is impacting the communities you live in.

Over the past year, we have seen the following significant growth:

• SECURED MULTIYEAR NATIONAL FUNDING
• INCREASED NEIGHBORHOOD REACH: Two new neighborhood programs 
• INCREASED LOCAL EMPLOYEMENT: 60% increase in full-time staff positions
• EXPANDED PROGRAMING:  Introduction of our Farm Stewards Program

YFMP is only as strong as our community and that community includes supporters like you. Your strong contribution will allow YFMP to continue to be a leader in the Youth-Led Food Movement in the Twin Cities. In order to continue with our aggressive expansion and reinvestment into the local community, we have set a goal of $25,000 for our winter fundraising efforts.

Giving to YFMP could not be easier. In addition to the traditional mail in check or credit card gift, online giving through GiveMN.org is the most secure and easy way to make a one time or recurring donation (a $10/month donation goes much further than a one time $50 donation).

The coming year promises to be an exciting one of new growth, new neighborhoods, and many new youth. Contributions from community members like you, assure our continued success and growth. Contribute today and help us continue to have a positive impact on the youth and communities that we serve.

Sincerely,

Gunnar Liden
Executive Director

Michelle Horowitz from Urban Baby finishes mixing a batch of spinach balls with the Hawthorne All-Stars.

Last Tuesday, Urban Baby’s Michelle Horowitz came to cook with the Hawthorne All-Stars class at Farview Park. A previous public defender and chef, Michelle brings a lot of passion, knowledge, and healthy & delicious food to North Minneapolis. A resident of North, Michelle founded Urban Baby to “address health disparities in nutritionally at-risk communities, strengthen communities around food, and help create an equitable and sustainable food system.”

Despite the organization’s focus on working with parents and young children, Michelle offered up her time to come out and guest chef with the Hawthorne All-Stars. What was on the menu? Spinach Balls and Sweet Potato/Zucchini Pancakes with homemade ranch dressing.

One rule we have at Youth Farm is that you can’t call food yucky, nasty, icky, or disgusting. We tell youth it’s ok not to like a food, but they have to be able to explain why. As you might expect from most youth, there was a lot of initial skepticism about the menu. Michelle addressed this by introducing the term neophobia – the fear of trying new foods, and begged the question of how youth learned to try ice cream or pizza for the first time.

After cooking for nearly an hour, the veggie pancakes and spinach balls were finished, and the general consensus among the All-Stars was that despite their names, these two snacks were delicious and not all that hard to make.

Many thanks to Michelle Horowitz and Urban Baby their work in North Minneapolis and support of Youth Farm programming.

Youth Farm All Stars in Hawthorne Neighborhood, kicked off fall after school programming for Youth Farm this last Tuesday afternoon.  The All Stars prepared a meal, consisting of veggie pesto penne pasta, salad using all Youth Farm grown veggies, and baked apple crisp.

Youth also began brainstorming ways to get more involved in their community. This fall, Hawthorne All Stars will be touring various urban farms in Minneapolis, helping prepare community meals, constructing a compost bin for a nearby community garden, and helping plan for next year’s growing season. Check back for updates from Hawthorne as we continue to grow this new program!

Two Hawthorne All Stars pose, taking a moment from cleaning currant cherry tomatoes for the meal's salad.

Last week four Youth Farm neighborhoods hosted over 90 first-year Macalester students for “Into the Streets,” a day of community service for new students. It was the most volunteers to ever descend on Youth Farm in one day! Across our Minneapolis and St. Paul farm sites students were building farms, harvest produce, and putting beds to rest for the winter. Our sincerest gratitude to Macalester College’s Civic Engagement Center for organizing the event and being great supporters of YFMP. Below are a few photos of a group farming in Hawthorne.