History – The West Side Neighborhood Program began in 2000 with its first farmsite at the La Puerta Abierta UMC Church, a space that has grown over the past decade and continues to be a central programming location both in the school year and the summer. The West Side YFMP has 4 farm sites and a year round greenhouse located at Cherokee Heights Elementary School. Over the years, the West Side YFMP has worked with hundreds of West Side youth, running neighborhood markets in the business district, contributed to a number of public art pieces including Cesar Chavez wood sculpture in La Placita, Mosaic Mural at REDA, and a Paint the Pavement project in 2011.
Farm locations
View Youth Farm and Market Project Farmsites in a larger map
Current Programming
Neighborhood Food Distribution - Weekly Family Produce Shares – In the West Side Neighborhood, as a result of our community food assessment surveys, the Project LEAD determined that the most effective way to distribute their produce would be to have “Family Shares”, modeled after the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) process. This past summer, the West Side YFMP has 15 Family Share members who receive a weekly box of produce that they pick up every Friday from our farm. These boxes include: onions, tomatoes, carrots, potatoes, raspberries, and lettuce. In addition to these family shares, West Side youth also sell produce to El Burrito Mercado and other restaurants in District del Sol Business District.
For more information about the West Side Neighborhood YFMP or if you are a youth that lives or goes to school in the West Side Neighborhood and are interested in learning more about programming during the school year or summer, contact West Side Program Director Tyler Berres on our staff contact page.
LATEST NEWS FROM THE WEST SIDE NEIGHBORHOOD
Support YFMP with a year end contribution
Gunnar Liden : December 20, 2011 11:54 AM : Events, Frogtown, Hawthorne, Lyndale, Powderhorn, West Side, Youth LeadershipSupport 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
Out of the classroom and into the Farms
Phil Rooney : September 12, 2011 12:20 PM : Frogtown, Hawthorne, Lyndale, partners, West SideLast 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.
West Side YFMP are Compost Cup Champions
Gunnar Liden : August 12, 2011 1:05 PM : Compost, Events, West SideIf you missed the presentation of the much coveted “Compost Cup” at the Lyndale Harvest Festival on Wednesday, you missed your chance to see how excited youth can be about Compost. The West Side YFMP won the Cup this year with a compost temperature of 142 degrees. Come celebrate with the at our last neighborhood Harvest Festival tonight, August 12th, from 5:30 – 7:30. Here is a video of the winning moment, and the Compost King and Queen from the West Side accepting their trophy.
Harvest Festivals August 10, 11, and 12!
Gunnar Liden : August 4, 2011 11:39 AM : Events, Lyndale, Powderhorn, West SideYFMP Harvest Festivals
This is one of the most exciting times of year at YFMP. Our summer programs have been amazing and are heading towards their conclusion. One of the great culminating events at YFMP is our neighborhood Harvest Festival. If you have never been to one, this is the place to get a true sense of what YFMP is, who the youth are, and what impact they are making in their communities. Each one of our established neighborhood programs hosts a Harvest Festival with a free community meal (which is a feast of the best lunches cooked throughout the summer), recognitions of youth, and performances from different youth focus groups. Consider yourself, and all your friends and family invited. We hope to see you there.
Lyndale Neighborhood Harvest Festival
When: Wednesday, August 10th – 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Where: Zion Lutheran Church, 128 W. 33rd St.
Powderhorn Neighborhood Harvest Festival
When: Thursday, August 11th – 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Where: Powderhorn Park Building 3400 15th Ave S.
West Side Neighborhood Harvest Festival
When: Friday, August 12th – 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Welcome new West Side Program Director Emma Paskewitz
Gunnar Liden : May 26, 2011 4:21 PM : West Side
We are excited to introduce Emma Paskewitz as the new West Side Program Director. Emma began her work with YFMP in 2010 as a summer staff in the Lyndale Neighborhood, and was hired as the West Side Program Director in April of 2011. Emma, who graduated from the University of Minnesota last week, has a degree in Chicano Studies. Prior to her work at YFMP, Emma was involved in many youth and community organizing efforts through work at the Minnesota Immigrant Freedom Network. She has also been an active Board Member of La Raza Student Cultural Center at the University of Minnesota. Emma is a fluent Spanish speaker and has received several awards for her community centered work. She served as a Peer Advisor in the Community Service-Learning Center at the University of Minnesota for 5 years. Emma was born and raised in Minneapolis. She has hit the ground running and is excited about meeting as many West Side residents and youth as possible over the next few weeks and months. She can be contacted at emma@youthfarm.net or 651.600.6099
