This project is a collaborative effort stemming from the University of Minnesota's (virtual) Robert J. Jones Urban Research Outreach-Engagement Center (UROC) and the MN Landscape Arboretum's Growing Good Outreach Program.

Karen DePratto, Program Coordinator for the MN Landscape Arboretum's Growing Good Outreach Program, welcomes viewers to this webinar. Growing Good's lead instructor, Xavier Porter, joins the webinar to share experiences, findings, and outcomes from the Growing Good YPAR program. Youth research and curriculum consultant Abby Rombalski (UROC/CEHD-UMN) supports the conversations. YPAR stands for Youth-led Participatory Action Research, and this summer was an induction year for the Growing Good YPAR team, whose research is shared in the webinar.

The summer of 2020 was an unprecedented year for community partners and the young people we serve. COVID-19 shut down in-person programs for youth. The police murder of unarmed community member George Floyd sparked protests and unrest in the community. There was a spike in food and housing insecurities and unemployment. There was also an unprecedented response to the community by the community, including a renewed commitment from Growing Good to maintain a program for older youth, to continue growing their community, cultural, and horticultural knowledge. The Growing Good YPAR team met virtually July-August of 2020 and has made recommendations to shape youth-driven, community and culturally-responsive programming.

Growing Good uses the garden as a tool to create teenage skill development and opportunities to raise environmental awareness, promote community engagement, encourage health and nutrition, and build college and career readiness skills.  Growing Good offers programming for youth ranging 5-18.  Our younger audience (k-grade 6) participate in our Children's Garden-in-Residence program, and the older youth we serve (ages 12-18) participate in our paid internship program. On average we serve 185-200 youth each year.

For more information:

Karen DePratto, M.Ed., Program Coordinator, MN Landscape Arboretum, Growing Good Outreach Program: beamo003@umn.edu 

https://www.arboretum.umn.edu/urbangardenyouthemployment.aspx

Xavier Porter, Lead Instructor, Growing Good: porte221@umn.edu 

Abby Rombalski, Ph.D. Youth Research Development Coordinator at UROC: romba005@umn.edu https://uroc.umn.edu/youthroc