Youth Community Agriculture Program Alumni

I wanted to get involved because I feel like I can take the skills I learn here back to people I know. They’re very useful skills to have, and it’s like a new hobby too.

Alajah “Avocado” joins the crew for the first time this fall. A junior at Shawnee High School, Alajah says “People should learn how to grow their own food, especially if you have problems with access to fresh fruits and vegetables. It can also help the environment.”

Food justice to me is a feeling of your food being safe, plus more access to fresher foods.

Christian “Broccoli” spent her summer with the Food Literacy Project before starting her freshman year at Howard University. She studies Civil Engineering but wanted to try something out of her comfort zone that would provide new experiences. When asked, “Why should you grow and cook your own food?”, Christian responded, “To know what is in your food, what it is you are cooking, and experiencing the growing process firsthand.”

Toni “Garlic” spent two seasons with the Food Literacy Project. He previously worked on the Spring 2021 YCAP crew and returned because “of the people they [FLP] have here, they’re kind.” Toni graduated from Iroquois High School. When asked, “Why should you grow and cook your own food?”, Toni responded, “We don’t know where our food comes from. People learn more about what they are eating.” Toni now works with Backside Learning Center.

Danaee aspires to be a prenatal nurse. She is currently a freshman at Jefferson Community Technical College, which she started while working with the Food Literacy Project. Danaee is passionate about food justice. Her favorite part of working with the Food Literacy Project is Field-to-Fork Club. She is inspired by her personal experiences to make a difference!

Emily is a senior at Atherton High School, who was drawn to the Food Literacy Project because she loves being outside and gardening. She will attend Centre College next year, majoring in neuroscience with the hope of going on to medical school. We are looking forward to a bright future for Emily!

Fathma is currently attending Jefferson Community and Technical College for occupational therapy. She has always had a passion for helping others, and her inspiration comes from her parents. Fathma says that working with the Food Literacy Project has changed her outlook on life. “Working here has shaped my outlook on the positive things,” Fathma said. “What we’re doing and what other people are doing towards food justice, racial justice, social justice is inspiring, so I’m really hopeful.”

“Habanero” Hudson is a freshman at Bellarmine University who is joining the crew for the first time this fall. “I like how it’s a break from the busy life and you can actually eat healthily,” he says. “Vegetables and fruit are important as a good way to connect back to the earth.”

Food justice means a lot to me, and it got me into planting stuff on my own. I’ve planted my own potatoes, vegetables, things like that.

When she is not at the farm, Jasmine attends Jefferson Community Technical College and plans to major in occupational therapy. Jasmine is inspired to work for food justice by seeing members of her community struggle to get healthy food. To her, food justice means “making sure everyone has healthy and accessible food.” Jasmine is hard-working and motivated to make a difference!

Jimmicial is a Junior at Iroquois High School and worked with the Food Literacy Project to gain experience and explore what working on an urban farm is like. When asked, “Why should you grow and cook your own food?”, Jimmicial responded, “In my home country [Liberia], the people didn’t have money to buy the food we needed, so growing our food was our next best option.”

Kameron “Key Lime” is a senior at Ballard High School and joined the Youth Community Agriculture Program crew for the first time in the spring of 2022. He heard of the program from friend and former crew member Leo “Lettuce,” and says “I used to be on a farm when I was younger, so working on a farm really interests me. It’s fun and something different.”

I wanted to work with the Food Literacy Project because it’ll be a good way for me to get into the community and do my part.

Leo “Lettuce” spent his summer with the Food Literacy Project before beginning his senior year at Ballard High School. He worked with the YCAP crew to strengthen and develop his knowledge of farming, began growing his own food, and embraced his self-efficiency. When asked, “Why should you grow and cook your own food?”, Leo responded, “You can see the route your food takes from start to finish. You can commend yourself for doing the work and can enjoy the fruits of your labor.”

I wanted to get involved with the Food Literacy Project so I could earn my own money while making a difference.

Madisyn “Madi Mango” spent the summer of 2021 with the Food Literacy Project. She is a junior at Western Kentucky University where she studies Psychology and Gender/Woman Studies. In the future, Madisyn would like to start a clinic that assists individuals with eating disorders and explore how food justice plays a role in their diagnoses. Her summer with YCAP allowed her to work outside, learn farming practices, and participate in a rare opportunity that will help her in the future. When asked, “Why should you grow and cook your own food?”, Madisyn responded, “You feel connected to the world and know the origin source of your food.” She also added, “Smaller farms deserve more recognition for being a part of the change, supporting local businesses, and using more organic farming methods.”

The Food Literacy Project helped to shape my love of food. My time at the Food Literacy Project helped me realize that I wish to be in the food industry. Today, I am a Senior at Johnson & Wales University, majoring in Culinary Nutrition. This summer, I will be working with the Food Literacy Project again to accomplish my Senior Internship and help run both the social media outreach and work with YCAPers, which is where I started. YCAP spurred a passion for food, helping educate others on nutrition and understanding that not everyone thinks about food the same way I do. YCAP does a fantastic job teaching young adults where their food comes from and the work that goes into getting food into the grocery store. It also teaches young people culinary skills and creates a knowledge base of food and cooking to carry them into the future. My passion for food has given me the inspiration to create my own business, “The Diabetic Nutrition Coach,” to educate people with diabetes on nutrition.

Marissa started at the Food Literacy Project in 2019. Before she started, Marissa considered herself an introvert, but quickly came out of her shell. One of her favorite things about working with the Food Literacy Project is getting to cook and see people in the community. She even wants to have her own culinary business one day, employing vulnerable members of the community. Her goal is to make a difference in the lives of others!

Marthe “Marigold” is a senior at Doss High School. After graduation, she hopes to attend school to become a nurse. She was inspired by her mother, who is a nurse and has taught her many things already. After learning about the Food Literacy Project, she liked the idea of getting her hands dirty and growing her own food and decided to join. She hopes to learn about many topics, including how to better take care of plants and how to teach others to love what they eat.

Nick “New Grass” is a senior at the University of Louisville with a major in Sustainability and minor in Public Health. He decided to join the Youth Community Agriculture Program crew to acquire another perspective on sustainability. The opportunity to work on an urban farm is unique and provides an experience not available in every school and university. When asked, “Why should you grow and cook your own food?”, Nick responded, “It’s important to be knowledgeable of what you consume. Additionally, you bring POWER back to the people, and allow them to be choice makers.”

Suzana “Flowers” is a Senior at Iroquois High School and is exploring her options after graduation. She is working with the Food Literacy Project to explore agriculture and learn more about urban farms. When asked, “Why should you grow and cook your own food?”, Suzana responded, “It is important to me. I like having fresher foods and knowing what is happening throughout the growing process.”

I wanted to get involved with the Food Literacy Project because I like agriculture.

“Turnip” Trent is a junior at Seneca High School and joins the crew for the first time this fall. “With a rising population and changing climate,” he said, “urban ag is more important than ever in terms of getting food to people.”

Tyaiera is a junior at New Albany High School. She was drawn to this work because “people should know that not everyone is able to access fresh food. Being down here farming gives people a chance [to access it].” This is Tyaiera’s first season on the crew.

Ruby is motivated and works hard so that she can work towards her goal of being a nurse. Ruby first joined the Food Literacy Project after seeing how much her sister enjoyed her work. One of the most valuable experiences she has had so far with the Food Literacy Project is getting to hear all of the guest speakers and working on individual projects. “The project that stood out to me was the petition,” she said. “We each chose a different topic dealing with food injustice and mine was about food insecurity in Louisville.” Ruby says the project broadened her knowledge of food insecurity. She is inspired by the change she knows she can make in the community!

Zach “Zucchini” spent the summer with the Food Literacy Project to expand his view of community before beginning his senior year at Trinity High School. He plans to attend college and study cosmetology after graduation. Working with YCAP during the summer provided a unique, community-oriented experience that served an under addressed social discrepancy in the food system. When asked, “Why should you grow and cook your own food?”, Zach responded, “It is healthier and provides the experience of planting, growing, harvesting, and preparing your meals. It’s a true farm-to-table experience.”