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¡Cultiva!
is a youth operated organic market garden. Participants will plant and nurture a 2 acre garden, harvest the produce weekly
to sell at the Boulder County
Farmer's Market, and donate a portion of what is harvested to those
in need in the local community. Through this project, youth will
learn to care for and protect the environment, will learn how to operate
a small business, and will take part in a variety of activities which
create positive change for the community, the environment, and the youth
themselves.
Goals of the Program:
- Teach youth leadership skills.
- Give youth opportunities to give back to the community – help those in need.
- Connect youth with the environment, promote sustainable agriculture, and teach youth to grow food for themselves.
- Provide youth with valuable
life skills, business skills, interpersonal skills, and entrepreneurial
opportunities.
¡Cultiva! Staff
Vanessa Keeley, ¡Cultiva! Youth Project Director
Vanessa runs the show behind the scenes. She oversees all aspects of ¡Cultiva!, from hiring to fundraising to field trips. Vanessa creates the work schedule and does the payroll for ¡Cultiva! youth. She makes the program happen; she is available to youth employees to answer questions and deal with issues concerning program operation and management.
Ben Turner, ¡Cultiva! Grower
Ben is in the garden most days, nearly year round! In the summer, he is in the garden for all ¡Cultiva! work days. He manages all aspects of growing and marketing for ¡Cultiva!, including the ¡Cultiva! booth at the Saturday Boulder County Farmers’ Market. In addition to overseeing all garden and market related projects, from planting to irrigation to tool maintenance, he provides education and inspiration on a daily basis for ¡Cultiva! youth.
Ellie Goldberg, ¡Cultiva! Assistant
Ellie works with the youth leaders during the school year to facilitate planning for the upcoming season. In the spring, she will manage interviewing and hiring youth for the summer season. She will be in the garden everyday during the summer to help facilitate a positive work experience for all ¡Cultiva! youth. With an extensive background in education, Ellie helps ensure ¡Cultiva! youth are acquiring communication, leadership, and job skills during their time with the program. Participants and family members should initially contact Ellie with any questions or concerns.
Julie Finley Ridinger, Beekeeper
Julie is our resident bee expert . She runs the beekeeping program for ¡Cultiva! youth. All youth will have the opportunity to participate in at least one day of beekeeping with Julie; maintaining hives throughout Boulder County, and, hopefully, getting the opportunity to taste the honey right from the hive. Julie is an invaluable resource for ¡Cultiva! youth; her knowledge of both beekeeping and gardening is extensive.
Other Information
Starting pay for summer participants (ages 14-19) is $7.25/hour.
Apprentices (ages 11-13) receive $5 per day.
Participants will work 10 to 15 hours a week, tending the garden, selling at the farmer’s market, delivering and preparing produce for homeless shelter residents, seniors, and families in need, and working on a variety of community projects focusing on food and hunger issues.
| ¡Cultiva! participants have the power to decide about many aspects of the project. Decisions will be made as a group. Youth are encouraged to be involved with project administration, public relations, and community education, as well as garden work and community service projects. All participants must have a social security card/number. Call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 if you need to get a card. You will also need a photo ID (school ID or driver’s license) or a birth certificate. ¡Cultiva! Schedule: Participants schedule will alternate weeks. For example on Week 1 work days are Tues and Thurs. Week 2 work days are Wed, Fri and possibly Sat. Odd numbered weeks will follow the same schedule as week 1 and even numbered weeks will follow the same schedule as week 2. Tues- Thurs work days are from 8am- 1pm. Fridays are 7:30- 10am. Saturday schedule is a 2 hour shift at the Farmer’s Market sometime between 7am and 3pm. For questions about ¡Cultiva! please call Ellie Goldberg at 303-440-8409 x2, or contact her by e-mail:
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EXPECTATIONS
All ¡Cultiva! participants are asked to fully commit to the program. This commitment includes:
1.
Showing up on time every day!
2. Calling ahead of time if you are sick
or have to be late.
3. Doing the required work without complaining
or slacking.
4. Completing gardening and greenhouse
responsibilities before leaving work.
5. Completing community service projects
and behaving responsibly when out in the community.
6. Participating respectfully in environmental
education and other learning activities.
7. Contributing positively to the group.
8. Helping to make group decisions.
9. Conducting yourself in a mature, considerate
and responsible manner at all times.
10. Showing respect for yourself, others,
and the workspace.
11. Showing leadership and doing what needs
to be done without being asked. Coming up with ideas and sharing
them with the group, when appropriate.
12. Work to your full potential.
There will be no smoking, alcohol, drugs or swearing during ¡Cultiva! time.
You will receive
a paycheck every 2 weeks. Final paychecks can be picked up at our office
or mailed to your house.
Check out the ¡Cultiva! Youth Project in action in our 2009 video by Ontos Media. The video (13 minutes, 5 seconds) premiered at the 2009 Harvest Dinner.