Peer Programs in the Region

Just as the food system relies on bees to spread the pollen, we all need to support each other so we can continue to do the important work.

GRuB has learned valuable lessons, adopted curriculum, and grabbed inspiration from organizations and youth programs around the country since our inception, and we have also made ourselves available to similar existing and startup programs over the years to support communities all over the country through trainings, and locally, through direct partnerships to support the launch of programs.

The South Puget Sound Region of Washington is home to a number of excellent teen & young adult programs based on gardening or farming. We have supported these groups in various capacities over the years; from sharing best practices, bringing our youth on field trips to each other's sites, writing grants together, or in some cases helping them to start their program . We value and appreciate the important work these groups are doing to provide opportunities for youth in their communities, and continue to be inspired by what they have accomplished in their situations.

• Freedom Farmers in Olympia, WA is a year round program within the Olympia School District for students at Olympia High School, developed in partnership with GRuB, and first piloted on the GRuB Farm for two years from 2012-2014. The Freedom Farmers tend a two acre farm year round, earn school credit, and grow 16,000+ lbs of food each year for OSD cafeterias.  In the summer, youth also earn a stipend for their work.
  
• FRESH (Farm Rooted Education for Sustainability and Health) is a Tumwater School District program for high school students, and launched in 2016 through a partnership with GRuB, the district, and the City of Tumwater.  FRESH students grow vegetables on the farm at Isabella Bush Park for the school nutrition program as well as the Tumwater Senior Center.  Students earn school credit, and stipends in the summer.
  
• GRITS (Growing Relationships in the Soil) in Eatonville, WA operates on the historic Kjelstad farm in the Ohop Valley.  Launched in 2017, high school and middle school students learn science through the hands-on cultivation of vegetables and participating in salmon recovery efforts in the valley. Learn more HERE.
  
• HOPE Garden Project in Shelton, WA is an organization serving youth in Mason County. They offer after school and summer programming to teens/young adults in programming centered around vegetable gardening, healthy cooking, entrepreneurship and community engagement. They also educate elementary and middle school students in their school gardens.

Northwest Youth Garden Network (NWYGN) unites garden/farm programs in the Pacific Northwest that serve older youth. To learn more about the network and its activities, visit the homepage.

Rooted in Community (RIC) is a national network that operates a summer five-day youth summit, which GRuB has co-hosted twice since RIC launched in 1998. They also convene leaders from similar organizations for a Winter Leadership Institute. To learn more about this network, visit the website.

For technical assistance, curriculum, and training, visit our Pollination Program page.