U.S. Department of Agriculture Awards $700,000 Grant to Inter-Faith Food Shuttle to Fund Young Farmer Training Program

Raleigh—In a time when local farmers are aging out— even as demand for locally grown food is increasing— the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle is growing the next generation of North Carolina farmers. USDA representative Ron Brown announced the award of a $700,000 grant to fund Inter-Faith Food Shuttle’s 2-year old Young Farmers Training Program. Initially seeded by funding from the John Rex Endowment in 2010, the Young Farmers Training program currently has 7 returning second-year students and 12 first-year students. Many of the teenage farmers expect to go on to colleges to study agriculture or dig in to work-study programs and internships to get a hands-in-the-dirt education. The program is the only such training in North Carolina targeted to youth 15-18 years of age.

The USDA funding is among the largest awards in IFFS’s 23-year history, and will be used to support staff salaries, purchase farm equipment and supplies, and develop teaching materials—all to be used on IFFS’s 6 acre outdoor classroom, the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle Farm on Dover Farm Road in West Raleigh.

Inter-Faith Food Shuttle partnered with Growing Power Regional Outreach Training Center and North Carolina State University to apply for the USDA grant. The organizations will work together to create a rich and fertile learning environment by:

  • providing hands-on technical training in basic crop farming practices
  • creating a centralized network of farmers to explore new farming methods
  • connecting retired farmers with beginning farmers
  • connecting young future farmers with food system leaders across North Carolina

WHAT IS THE YOUNG FARMER TRAINING PROGRAM? The Inter-Faith Food Shuttle Young Farmer Training Program is a paid multi-year farming apprenticeship for youth in Wake County. The IFFS Raleigh Farm hosts apprentices two days per week beginning each Spring.

  • Apprentices grow vegetables, herbs, mushrooms and flowers on our 6-acre Raleigh farm, helping feed IFFS distribution across 200 agencies in seven counties.
  • YFTP apprentices are leaders that co-design and implement profitable farm plans, market their farm products while keeping good records, cook and share healthy meals, teach the community about farming and gardening, and advocate for a better food system. After graduation from their first year, apprentices can apply for a second year YFTP apprenticeship.
  • Food justice, inclusivity, meaningful economic development and environmental stewardship are pillars of YFTP.

WHO CAN JOIN THE PROGRAM? Wake County teens ages 15-18, who are interested in farming and ending hunger in their community. No previous farming experience necessary!

WHERE IS THE PROGRAM? Most days, YFTP apprentices are on our IFFS six-acre Raleigh farm on Tryon Rd. Monthly field trips include community gardens, farms, homesteads, and food sites.

WHEN IS THE PROGRAM? 3 Sessions:

  • Spring into Farming: April 3 - June 2: Tues 4-6pm & Sat 9am-1pm
  • Summer on the Farm: June 12 – August 18: Tues 9am-1pm & Sat 9am-1pm
  • Fall for Farmers: August 28 - October 27: Tues 4-6pm & Sat 9am-1pm

WHAT APPRENTICES RECEIVE:

  • Weekly stipend, weekly fresh vegetables, and healthy recipes
  • Scholarship opportunities for workshops, conferences and courses
  • Extra income from sales of vegetables, flowers, herbs
  • Hands-on farming and business management skills
  • Culinary and nutrition training; experience cooking with farm fresh food
  • Connection with other teens and local farmers
  • Certificate for each completed training session
  • Opportunities, resources and land to manage your own farm or garden project
Contact:
Jill Staton Bullard, Co-founder & CEO
Inter-Faith Food Shuttle 919-250-0043 Jill@FoodShuttle.org