In order to care for a place, one must love it. In order to love, one must know. In order to know, one must first be introduced. The Wormfarm Institute develops programs that introduce land and its dependents to urban youth so that they will care what happens to it. The program offers hands-on experience in sustainable agriculture—from milking cows to harvesting peas—with exposure to local culture and a specific program focus in art, science or history.

Renewal Gardens

Renewal Gardens is project developed by the Wormfarm for the Youth Services Program of Renewal Unlimited, a social service agency. Sustainable agriculture is used hto teach young adults job and life skills. Participants learned the intricacies of organic gardening, earned a stipend for their work as well as lots of fresh, nutritious vegetables. They learned about working as a team with adult mentors and gained entrepreneurial experience by marketing much of the harvest to local restaurants. This project was supported by Growing Power www.growingpower.org and Heifer International

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Artward Bound

The Young Women’s Leadership School in Chicago. In Sept. a group of students and teachers spent several days on the farm making art, learning about sustainable agriculture and meeting local visionary artist, Dr. Evermor. The women planted and harvested in the garden, and modeled clay medallions that were cast into bronze. For some, it was their first nights sleeping in tents.