2005
Began the pilot education program on Field Day Family Farm
2006
Established the Food Literacy Project as a 501c3 non-profit. Formed a board, and Carol Gundersen was hired as the new Executive Director. Programming was volunteer-led.
2007
Established the Youth Learning Garden. Launched the Entrepreneurial Youth Development program. 1,500 students got their hands dirty on the farm with hands-on experience.
2008
Began the Professional Development program. Opened the Program Office, and established a Garden Pavilion. Held the first Family Farm Day.
2009
Launched the Multi-Visit Field-to-Fork program to deepen student connections with the farm
2010
Served every JCPS environmental magnet school student with the Field-to-Fork Program. Began building the Outdoor Teaching Kitchen. Held the first Field-to-Fork Dinner.
2011
Opened the Outdoor Teaching Kitchen with First Lady Jane Beshear cutting the ribbon. Began the Youth Service Internship program. 3,000+ students got their hands dirty on the farm.
2012
Hired the first Program Coordinator. Reached 15,000 volunteer hours.
2011
Hired the first Farm-Based Educators. Expanded the Entrepreneurial Youth Development program to become the Youth Community Agriculture Program. Employed teens 30 hours a week to create change in their communities.
2013
Opened an Administrative Office and Learning Center. Received our first national foundation grant from Johnson & Johnson.
2014
Received our first Federal Grant (USDA). Launched the Field-to-Fork After School Clubs with family engagement and food access.
2015
Received Her Royal Highness Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, for a visit. Launched the Truck Farm.
2016
Celebrated our 10 year anniversary with the fact that more than 40,000 youth and their families discovered the power of fresh vegetables. Established the Perennial Society.
2017
Launched programming at Iroquois Urban Farm. Established the Iroquois High School A2G program partnership, expanding YCAP to both summer and academic year tracks.
2018
Hired first Youth Community Food Leaders, expanding YCAP to year-round. Began managing South Points Farmers’ Market. Broke ground on Iroquois Urban Farm for the Teaching Pavilion and Outdoor Teaching Kitchen.
2019
Spearheaded a robust community engagement effort; connecting with neighbors, building community support and sharing messages about healthy lifestyles, environmental stewardship and community transformation. Formalized the IUF Advisory Council.
2020
Donated 2,000+ lbs. of youth-grown produce to community partners in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Cultivated online content to reach a broader audience. Offered first multilingual Field-to-Folk Club.
2021
Engaged with 600+ community members through healthy living programs. Notified by LMHA of plans to return Iroquois Urban Farm to housing, reigniting permanent home search.
2022
Moved to The Shawnee People’s Garden in west Louisville. Harvested and distributed 1,800+ lbs of youth grown-produce to YCAP crew members and their families, neighbors, Field-to-Fork participants, and partner agencies.
2023
YCAP crew envisioned and executed first Healing Week at the Shawnee People’s Garden. Hosted first Gather for the Garden event. Installed 10 community garden beds.
2024
Moved to “the mint farm” in southwest Louisville. Established a new farming operation and expanded programming, engaging 237 Field-to-Fork participants and their families and employing 27 YCAP crew members.
2024
Grew, harvested and distributed more than 3,000 pounds of youth-grown produce. Engaged with more than 2,000 community members and established new school and organizational partnerships in west, south and southwest