Summer Youth Program

By Elizabeth Packer

Last Saturday marked the conclusion of Common Good City Farm’s first Fall Internship Program. The inaugural program was a great success. Through the internship, youth participants furthered their knowledge about sustainable food and developed their leadership skills.

Sweat in my glasses
Water in my black bottle
Committed to work

Arriving on time
Serving my community
Feeding my people

Over 5,000
A goal so illustrious
Seedlings of Summer

The kitchen garden
½ acre of veggies
The community garden

Part of this summer's program involves taking the youth to other urban agriculture sites in the area, including Wangari Gardens, a community garden located a few blocks from Common Good City Farm. On their visit to Wangari earlier this week, the crew workers were asked to write about what they found most beautiful about Wangari Gardens. Here are some of their responses:

By Abby Massey

We were excited to welcome the United States Surgeon General, Dr. Regina Benjamin, on August 3, for the Summer Youth Program’s final Friday Community Lunch. The Crew Workers cooked a healthy lunch with Chef Ebeth Johnson of Whole Foods Market P St using produce from the farm, gave the Surgeon General a guided tour of the farm, and dined with her and community members.

By Abby Massey

For six of the hottest weeks in DC this summer, 16 teens from Washington D.C. and the metro region worked over 90 hours to maintain Common Good’s urban farm. In addition to working on the farm, they volunteered on other farms around the city and Virginia and participated in 60 hours of workshops about gardening, nutrition, sustainable food systems and life skills. The crew workers’ ages ranged from 14 to 17, with varying levels of farm experience—most had never set foot on a farm while a couple of the youth had farmed on a weekly basis.

Common Good City Farm

Friday Aug. 3, 2012
12:30 TO 1:30 PM
V Street NW between 2nd and 4th

Contact: Stephanie Slewka 202 347-6002 stephanie.slewka@gmail.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

WASHINGTON DC – Teenagers in Common Good City Farm’s summer youth program host Surgeon General Regina Benjamin, MD, MBA for a community lunch of healthy food they’ve helped grow in LeDroit Park, Washington DC.

Thanks to Meridian Pint and Smoke & Barrel for a great event last week, and to all who joined us!

This week's lunch is with Whole Foods Market on P Street .

More information at www.commongoodcityfarm.org/communitylunch

Space is limited to first 20 guests who rsvp to events@commongoodcityfarm.org

Thanks to Blind Dog Cafe for a great event on July 20th, and to all who joined us!

Last week's lunch, with Meridian Pint and Smoke & Barrel was also a success!!

More information at www.commongoodcityfarm.org/communitylunch

First, thanks to Bacio Pizzeria for a great event last week, and to all who joined us!

This week's lunch is with Blind Dog Cafe

More information at www.commongoodcityfarm.org/communitylunch

Space is limited to first 20 guests who rsvp to events@commongoodcityfarm.org

Date:
Friday, July 20, 2012 - 12:30pm to 1:30pm

COMMUNITY LUNCHES
FRIDAYS, 12:30 – 1:30PM
FREE with RSVP

Community Lunches are for neighbors, special guests, parents, and supporters. Our Summer Youth Program participants will be working with local chefs to prepare delicious, locally grown meals! Come eat, meet, and learn more about what we do at CGCF and how you can further support Urban Agriculture and our youth.