Alchemist
S M H A
The Urban Farm Stands are staffed through an SMHA/Alchemist CDC Youth Leadership
Development internship program. Through this program, community youth (ages
14-18) receive training in farm stand operation and community leadership. This
program focuses on providing the interns with knowledge of the benefits of fresh
produce to overall health and disease prevention, as well as the differences in
conventional and organic produce.
The involvement of youth interns will provide them with essential job skills and increased positive interaction with adults. Youth are involved in community outreach and educating public officials and staff.
 Greenway Village Youth Interns: Breyon Wilkins and Houa Yang |
 River Garden Estates Youth Intern: Wendy Noriega |
 Alkali Flat Youth interns: Jared Borchers (pictured here) and Zachary Johnson |
(Click on a picture for a larger version in a new window)
Urban Farm Stand Youth attend an educational field trip to
Soil
Born Farms’ American River Ranch
www.soilborn.org
On September 6th, the Urban Farm Stand Youth Interns and Community
Organizers visited Soil Born Farms to learn about organic and urban
agriculture, farm stand operations and food security issues.
A walking tour of the farm was led by Marco Franciosa, Soil Born Farms
Director.
 Tomatoes drying in the sun |
 Marco explains organic agriculture techniques |
 Interns observe how Soil Born Farms operates their on-site farm stand |
 Marco points out where on the vine that pumpkin fruits grow |
 We learned about the proper temperatures for storing produce and the interns finally got to see where our produce is stored before being shipped to our farm stands |
 Interns and organizers had an opportunity to taste cherry tomatoes picked from the vine. |
 Youth interns venture out into the fields to learn first hand about organic growing |
 Bell pepper growing at Soil Born Farm |
 Marco instructs the group about growing plants from seed |