Youth Harvest Program offers therapeutic support and employment for adolescents aged 16 to 18. This program has two branches: one opperates at the PEAS Farm, the other at the North Avenue Youth Farm.
A story of success
Read an excerpt (PDF) from Jeremy N. Smith's book, Growing a Garden City.
Youth Harvest Project at the PEAS Farm
The Youth Harvest Project integrates therapy with work and education about all aspects of farm operation. From seed to harvest, the youth work four days a week, side-by-side with university students and community members. Most of the youth participants are referred by Youth Drug Court and Youth Homes. Youth Harvest is part of the Court's innovate approach to treatment. The youth employees work at Garden City Harvest sites and operate the Mobile Market, harvesting and delivering fresh produce to sell at very low cost to seniors and people with disabilities at subsidized housing complexes in town. They also deliver produce to the Missoula Food Bank, Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC), and other agencies serving Missoulians in need. Garden City Harvest partners with the Human Resource Council to provide at-risk youth an employment opportunity.
The Benefits
Participants walk out of the fields on the last day of the season with more than a wage or school credit. What the experience means for each participant will still be growing in them long after we begin again in the spring with the next crew of young people.
Since 2003, the Youth Harvest Project has seen participants revitalized by the program – recovering from substance abuse, re-uniting with families, and finishing their education.
Most of the transformations are deep and gradual. Participants build relationships, skills and confidence - and see new possibilities for their lives. Former participants report that Youth Harvest profoundly impacted them - inspiring incremental changes that planted seeds for future growth, healing and success.
Youth Harvest Program at North Avenue Youth Farm
Started in 2010, the Youth Farm is run in partnership with Youth Homes at the Tom Roy Youth Guidance Home. The Youth Farm employs residents of the Youth Homes to work the farm, the farm’s CSA, and distribution to Missoula agencies and families in need. Read more about the farm.
Flower Share
The Youth are running their own business - read more. . .
Partnerships
Youth Harvest is made possible by numerous Missoula agencies committed to innovative approaches to support our teens. It is a collaboration between Garden City Harvest, Missoula's Youth Drug Court, Human Resource Council, Willard Alternative High School, the University of Montana, Missoula Aging Services, and the Missoula Food Bank. We are funded by some of the above agencies, generous local individuals and businesses, and the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation.
