Youth Farm Story and What's Growing On With Our CSA

A bit about North Avenue Youth Farm….The Youth Farm is a small farm on the west side of town that was created through a partnership with Garden City Harvest and  Youth Homes to give teenagers the opportunity for meaningful work and employment. Teens working at the Youth Farm are responsible for farm tasks, including irrigation, leading groups of volunteers, weeding, harvesting, and interacting with shareholders and customers – to name just a few.

Last year the Youth Farm grew over 13,000 lbs of food that made its way every week to our CSA members, 7 Youth Homes group homes, Watson Children’s Shelter, Mountain Home Montana, YWCA preschool program, Council Groves Boys and Girls after school program, as well as our Mobile Market program.  Five Youth Homes teens found employment through the Youth Farm , and more than twenty Youth Homes teens came out every week to volunteer at the farm.  The Youth Farm is heading into its third year of growing food with and for Missoula kids and families!

The Youth Farm Community Supported Agriculture program, otherwise known as a CSA started in 2010 with ten shares.  In 2012, we are planning for 15 full shares, 25 half shares and 10 winter shares!  The CSA program starts in early June and runs for 18 or 19 weeks. Last year Youth Farm CSA members paid on average $1.50 a pound, which is a fantastic deal for local, amazing food grown by teens who truly need meaningful hard work in their lives.

Being a member of a CSA means you know you will be eating with the season, all season. In the spring, you will eat tender greens; in the summer, you will feast; in the fall, the bounty will take your breath away; and in the winter, you can settle in knowing you are eating food that was grown in your town, by our kids.  At the Youth Farm, being a member of our CSA means you can talk recipes with kid farmers, pick eight-foot tall sunflowers, and become a more active participant in how and where your food is grown.  As a member of the CSA you will also get a weekly newsletter right here about the farm goings-on, photos, recipes and more.  We still have a few shares, but they are selling quickly, so come out, and join us this summer!