YOUTH LEADERSHIP & DEVELOPMENT
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Youth participate in the GTC program throughout the four seasons, and are very prominent in every aspect of growing food on our farm, running our farm store and pop-up markets, and assisting with GTC EATS! (our CSA or Farm Share program). Additionally the youth support initiatives and activities that involve food access and food justice work throughout the city.. GTC youth have provided some assistance to residents starting other community gardens in the Mason Square area, thus encouraging families to build self-sufficiency and better health.
Youth are also engaged through field trips to farms, other non-profits and community groups. This deepens their knowledge of agriculture, social change, and community service. GTC regularly hosts groups from around the region to expose youth and adults to the role that urban agriculture can play in community transformation.
In addition to serving as participants in the program, a number of the GTC youth serve on the board and actively participate on Board committees, making recommendations about organizational decisions. GTC youth are taught public speaking skills and often make presentations on behalf of GTC, most recently to the Springfield City Council, the Maple High Six Corners Neighborhood Council, and the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group among others.
Participation with GTC provides young people in Springfield with skills to increase self-motivation and commitment to community, as well as allows youth to experience the satisfaction of being more than just ancillary contributors to this amazing city. Continued involvement with GTC also assists youth in building self-confidence in themselves and in each other, as well as developing critical thinking, speaking and listening skills.
Are you a young person interested in joining GTC? Click here!
Youth are also engaged through field trips to farms, other non-profits and community groups. This deepens their knowledge of agriculture, social change, and community service. GTC regularly hosts groups from around the region to expose youth and adults to the role that urban agriculture can play in community transformation.
In addition to serving as participants in the program, a number of the GTC youth serve on the board and actively participate on Board committees, making recommendations about organizational decisions. GTC youth are taught public speaking skills and often make presentations on behalf of GTC, most recently to the Springfield City Council, the Maple High Six Corners Neighborhood Council, and the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group among others.
Participation with GTC provides young people in Springfield with skills to increase self-motivation and commitment to community, as well as allows youth to experience the satisfaction of being more than just ancillary contributors to this amazing city. Continued involvement with GTC also assists youth in building self-confidence in themselves and in each other, as well as developing critical thinking, speaking and listening skills.
Are you a young person interested in joining GTC? Click here!