Seeding Change, Planting Local Food, & Growing Young Leaders

Abstract

This is an exploration of community building, youth development and urban agriculture, as tools for economic, environmental, social and cultural development. In order to create effective and successful models of positive community change, we must understand what a healthy community looks like and examine the community assets that support this. We are currently faced with a variety of problems, including declining social capital, a lack of opportunities for youth, and a broken food system. This paper explores what is being done in these areas and how a significant approach to addressing these issues is one that combines youth development and urban agriculture. This emerging practice, as it pertains to building positive community change, can be seen in three different organizations: The Food Project, Massachusetts Avenue Project, and Youth Farm.