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The Planting Dreams Urban Farming Program teaches youth:
 
Heritage (organic) Farming Techniques
Crop Production Planning
Planting Schedules
Effective Purchasing Techniques
Crop Rotation
 
Record Keeping & Basic Accounting
Marketing
Distribution


Healthy Eating Habits

 

Activities promote self-sufficiency and self-reliance while developing a safety net to meet the community food security needs. God's Gang has a 25 year plus history of providing food to the community and working with the youth

 

The long-term impact on youthful participants is the exposure to new "Green" career paths leading to self-sufficiency in the area of food needs, ecology, and greening efforts, but more importantly, to long term health and wealth creation strategies.

 

God's Gang has been providing nutrition training to youth since 1999. The urban farming program helps young  people develop the work history they need to enhance their future employment prospects. The youth run businesses creates jobs and gives them hands-on entrepreneurial experience, while providing healthy food alternatives. Participants become more conscious shoppers, and educated consumers. Entrepreneurially, they will have comprehension of planning for target markets, marketing, purchasing, and inventory control of stock. We expose youth to methods that aid families not only economically, but in understanding the importance of conservation, healthy living and dispute resolution.

 

Students are encouraged to participate as volunteers at community gardens and organizations to continue skill enhancement. They are given information as to the possibilities of starting their own backyard and small space plots with the opportunity of creating their own entrepreneurial business. Former participants are encouraged to reconnect and act as recruiting ambassadors at their schools. Acknowledgements are made of their accomplishments. Rewards for participation, successful recruitments and attendance at end of program.

 

Planting Dreams is a UIUC Extension Cook County/Chicago MG project