More than 60 high school students aged 14 to 18 are helping to transform neighborhoods through urban gardening in Cleveland. The teenagers are working for minimum wage this summer at six learning farms operated by the Cleveland Botanical Garden. Farming in the heart of Cleveland helps the kids develop their individuality, self-esteem and confidence in the process.
The youngsters stay in their own communities, which makes it easy for them to walk to work and improve their neighborhoods.
Joi Green, 17, who works at Buckeye Learning Farm at 11305 Woodland Ave. said the job has helped her come out of her shell and improved her social skills.
“I didn’t talk. I learned to communicate with others,” she said. “I was always a hard worker, but now I am willing to give tours and answer questions.”
The work-study program, called the Green Corps, started mostly in vacant lots around the city. From May to October, fruits and vegetables such as strawberries, raspberries, lettuce, carrots, snap peas, corn, onions, cabbage, squash and tomatoes thrive at the farms. The produce and specialty products made from them are community favorites, especially the salsa and honey.
According to Brad Chase, program manager for GreenCityBlueLake Institute, an environmental organization in the area, the farms are among more than 200 urban gardens in the Cleveland area.
Jesus Sanchez, Green Corps director, said that participants in the program could eventually earn college credit or gain connections to groups that focus on getting adult agricultural jobs. Meanwhile, Green Corps aims to have a headquarters where training and classroom facilities can be built for year-round training and retention of the students, hopefully within the next 10 years.
