The Food Literacy Project has been planting an understanding of food and farming in the minds of young people since 2006.
“Our mission is youth transforming their communities through farming in the land…youth development is our thing,” said Alix Davidson, director of strategic initiatives. The Food Literacy Program was founded by Carol Gunderson at Oxmoor Farm in Louisville. Initially started as an organization that hosted field trips at the farm, the work of the program has since shifted to longer term engagement as it develops stronger community roots. Having shifted parks a few times, programs are active at Oxmoor Farm, Iroquois Urban Farm, and The Shawnee People’s Garden.
One of the Food Literacy Project’s core programs is the Youth Community Agriculture Program, both a leadership and employment program for young people between the ages of 16 and 21. “The youth also start digging into the local food system and connecting with local stakeholders here in Louisville. They are learning about the injustices that exist in our community today,” said Davidson. “Through connecting with local leaders and policy makers, they are getting the opportunity to share their thoughts about what matters most and helping to bring about change.”
Youth don’t just function as volunteers for the program; they are employed as members of the team. “They come after school, three days a week during the school year for about four hours each day. They also come during the summer as a more intensive employment experience, working 30 hours a week,” said Davidson. The program also partners with the SummerWorks Program through KentuckianaWorks, offering youth real work experience and exploring a career that might interest them.
Young people are learning more than just the important aspects of farming. “Of course farming is a core part of their work – learning where their food comes from, how to grow, and how to turn their food into delicious meals. But they are also getting all kinds of experiences that could take them in various directions,” said Davidson. Youth at The Food Literacy Project are learning valuable lessons in leadership as they serve as presidents of clubs and learning principles of teaching as they work with younger children in community engagement efforts.
Davidson explained that the youth also do youth participatory action research. “They will pick a particular issue that they’re interested in around food injustice. Sometimes they conduct interviews or do surveys. At the end, they do a final project that highlights and elevates their voices around that particular issue.” Youth have done projects like zines, art, or poetry to help share the message in a broad way.
There are a number of ways to support the Food Literacy Project that include volunteer activities and community engagement events. Individuals can help tend crops, work alongside garden and greenhouse crews, or volunteer in administrative tasks.
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The Food Literacy Projecthttps://foodliteracyproject.org/ ● (502) 491-0072
