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At AYDEPI, we believe that youth are the heart of community transformation. Our Youth Climate and Food Justice Program combines farming, composting, education, and cultural engagement to empower young people to take action for a healthier, more sustainable world.

Growing Knowledge and Community

The program introduces youth to sustainable farming practices, teaching them how to cultivate a variety of crops including glowing carrots, cabbages, onions, and African nightshade. Participants learn about soil health, seasonal planting, crop rotation, and ecological balance, connecting them directly to the land and their communities.

Composting is another key focus. Youth learn how organic waste can become nutrient-rich soil, reducing landfill waste while supporting healthy crops. This process reinforces lessons in environmental stewardship and circular economy principles, giving participants practical skills they can apply at home and in their neighborhoods.

Education Meets Culture

Beyond farming and composting, the program integrates climate and food justice education, helping youth understand how systemic inequities affect access to healthy food and environmental resources. Workshops cover topics like:

  • Climate change and its local impacts
  • Food insecurity and equitable access to nutrition
  • Community activism and advocacy for environmental justice

The program also celebrates cultural traditions around food and farming. Youth explore diverse culinary practices, heritage crops, and storytelling, creating a space where culture and sustainability intersect. Growing African nightshade and traditional vegetables helps participants connect to cultural roots while learning sustainable farming practices.

Leadership Through Action

Youth participants are encouraged to lead initiatives, mentor peers, and share knowledge with their families and neighborhoods. By growing food like cabbages, glowing carrots, and onions, managing compost, and educating others, they develop leadership, teamwork, and civic engagement skills that extend far beyond the garden.

One parent reflected on the experience:

“I can’t imagine my son has planted, weeded, watered, and seen the plants grow until harvest. It’s a process he will never forget — also for feeding the less fortunate and those who cannot do the work.”

Training for Real-World Impact

“As a chemical engineer, reported by one of the recent graduates, I see tremendous value in programs like this. Scientific training empowers communities to understand pollution at its source, interpret data, and take informed action. With knowledge and practical skills, residents can educate themselves and others, leading to healthier environments and safer food and water for everyone.”

Building a Sustainable Future

AYDEPI’s Youth Climate and Food Justice Program equips young people with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to address climate challenges, promote sustainable food systems, and inspire community change. Through hands-on learning, cultural engagement, and environmental advocacy, youth become empowered to create healthier, more equitable communities.

By bridging education, action, and culture, AYDEPI is fostering a generation of environmentally conscious leaders who understand that climate justice and food justice go hand in hand.