Soil Born Farms

Needs

**Did you know that Soil Born Farms impacts the lives of over 70,000 youth each year?**

This Big Day of Giving, we are raising funds to support youth in all stages of development-and thanks to generous donors every gift will be matched! That means your support goes twice as far to create meaningful, hands-on learning experiences for youth across our community.

We believe that learning begins in the garden—with tiny hands planting seeds, curious minds asking questions, and young hearts discovering the magic of nature. From toddlers in our Li’l Sprouts classes to teens working in our Teen Empowerment & Job Training Program and college students applying their education through internships, every step along the way builds meaningful ties to nourishing food, personal well-being, and the natural world..

Youth are a central part of life at Soil Born Farms. From the earliest explorations in nature to job training and leadership roles, our farm is powered by young people at every stage of their journey.

Whether they're loading your car with farm fresh produce, teaching younger youth the magic of the natural world, or welcoming guests with a smile, young people are at the heart of everything we do.

Every class, field trip, internship, and job training opportunity is a stepping stone—nurturing skills, relationships, and a lifelong connection to food, health, and the land.

As Kyleigh, a Cordova High School teen in our program, puts it:

“Now I have a bunch of skills I didn’t have before. Now that I’m graduating, it's helpful for future jobs. It’s also nice since I’m taking agriculture classes—to work on a farm when I live and go to school in an urban area.”

From first steps to first jobs, learning truly grows here.

**From First Steps: A Joyful Beginning on the Farm**

Before our teens grow into confident leaders and job-ready young adults, they start by simply being kids—playing, exploring, and discovering.

At Soil Born Farms, the journey begins with the joy of the outdoors. Toddlers and young children learn through their senses: digging in the soil, tasting fresh fruits and vegetables, and watching butterflies and bees among the flowers. They come to the farm to play in the mud kitchen, visit the chickens, listen to live music, and experience the natural world.

Through our Roots & Wings program, families engage in nature-based learning that grows with their children. Young ones start with Li’l Sprouts in the Garden (ages 3–5), where parents and children discover the rhythms of nature together. As they grow, kids branch out into more independent experiences like Just for Kids classes (ages 6–11), summer day camps, homeschool classes, and field trips. These immersive farm activities build foundational knowledge in science, ecology, nutrition, and the history and legacy of the American River Ranch.

Our Growing Together school garden program extends the learning beyond the farm and into classrooms across the region, helping students make meaningful connections to healthy food, outdoor learning, and their environment.

These joyful early experiences spark curiosity, confidence, and a deep connection to food, health, and the land. They are the first steps in a journey that leads into our Teen Empowerment & Job Training Program—and continues into adulthood.

**A Teen Program Rooted in Purpose**

As teens step into their roles at Soil Born Farms, they become essential members of our team—bringing energy, ideas, and heart to every corner of the farm. Through our Teen Empowerment & Job Training Program, young people gain hands-on experience that supports both personal growth and community well-being.

They build real-world skills in diverse settings across the farm:

*Marketplace: Teens work at Milly’s Mercantile where they interact with customers, manage inventory, handle cashiering, and help create a welcoming shopping experience. hey assist with the Drive-Thru Pack by preparing pre-orders and loading farm-fresh produce into customers’ cars. At the Produce Stand, they engage with visitors, replenish produce displays, and promote healthy eating. In the Greenhouse, they gain hands-on horticulture experience and learn how to talk with the community about plants. They also help create a smooth and engaging experience for all who visit the farm by setting up classrooms, demonstration booths, and the Marketplace.

*Phoebe’s Tea & Snack Bar and Farmhouse Kitchen: Teens gain practical kitchen experience through food prep, learning food safe handling techniques, and assisting in cooking meals for farm visitors. They build communication and leadership skills, practice teamwork, customer service, interact with the public and gain valuable experience handling payments and processing transactions.

*Roots & Wings: In the youth garden, teens take on leadership roles as they become mentors, engage with younger children, lead activities, and share the joy of gardening and the natural world.

*Stewardship: Teens take responsibility for caring for the land and community through a variety of hands-on projects. These include recycling and composting efforts, habitat restoration, and food production in the greenhouse and on the farm. Through these tasks, they learn the value of environmental care, resource conservation, and the importance of contributing to a healthier ecosystem.

Through this work, teens are doing more than gaining job skills—they’re actively serving the community. They help increase access to healthy food, share knowledge about sustainability, and model stewardship in action.

Each task offers an opportunity to build confidence, responsibility, and purpose. They see that their efforts matter—that what they do contributes to something bigger. They’re not only preparing for future jobs; they’re making a difference right now.

In a world where many young people feel disconnected or overwhelmed, this program offers a different path—one rooted in connection, contribution, and possibility.

**Where the Pathway Leads: College Internships and Beyond**

The pathway continues into young adulthood with college internships and career exploration. College students join us from a variety of academic backgrounds, including nutrition, public health, agriculture, education, environmental studies, and social work. Through hands-on internships, they apply what they’re learning in the classroom while making a real impact in the community.

Interns at Soil Born Farms are:

Supporting food education through our Eat Your Veggies cooking demo program, where they teach community members how to prepare simple, affordable recipes with seasonal produce.

Bringing learning to life in school gardens through our Growing Together program—helping students connect to where their food comes from, explore nature, and practice healthy habits.

Inspiring the next generation through our Roots & Wings program by leading youth classes and camps, mentoring teen interns, and helping in the Li’l Sprouts and Just for Kids programs.

Growing food from seed to harvest, learning regenerative agriculture practices, and contributing to the health of their community.

Interns gain valuable experience in teaching, communication, leadership, and community service. But perhaps even more importantly, they discover their voice, their purpose, and their power to be changemakers in the food system.

**Why It Matters Now**

In the face of rising food costs, economic uncertainty, and growing concerns around youth mental health, we are doubling down on what we know works:

*Teaching young people how to grow their own food

*Creating opportunities for meaningful work and leadership

*Helping young people feel seen, capable, and connected

*Cultivating hope, belonging, and resilience

This is how we grow a healthier, more connected future—from the ground up.

**You Make This Possible**

Your Big Day of Giving donation will support the full journey—from toddlers to teens to future educators and food system leaders.

Your gift helps us:

*Expand teen job training opportunities throughout the farm

*Grow our partnership with the Cordova High Agriculture Academy and launch the Animal Education Program

*Offer more internship opportunities for college students to gain real-world experience

*Provide scholarships for youth programs so every child can participate, regardless of income

**Be Part of the Story**

In 2025, we’ll break ground on our new Animal Barn, bringing chickens, sheep, and goats back to the land. In partnership with Cordova High School’s Agriculture Academy, we are adding a powerful new animal stewardship program to the youth experience at the farm.

From first steps to first jobs, your support helps create life-changing opportunities for young people in our region. Help us grow this pathway by making a gift today.

**Give Today. Grow Tomorrow.**

Did you know your gift supports over 70,000 youth every year? And right now, it’s matched—doubling your impact!

When you donate to Soil Born Farms, you are investing in a future where youth are empowered, the environment is nurtured, and everyone has equitable access to a local food system that supports healthy living.

Your gift helps us grow more than fruits and vegetables—it helps grow a sustainable community. Together, we’re creating a place where teens develop job skills and confidence, children connect to nature and where their food comes from, and families have access to fresh, local produce regardless of income.

Our mission is to cultivate an urban agriculture and education project that empowers youth and adults to discover and participate in a just and resilient food system. Your support fuels that mission.Together, we’re not just growing food. We’re growing the next generation.