FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Eric Day, Mid-Minnesota Development Commission
Phone: (320) 235-8504
Email: eric.day@mmrdc.org
Young Workers and MNYou Youth Garden Put Small 麻豆传媒映画 Grant to Good Use
Funds Support Ag- and Marketing-Focused Workforce Training
August 2022: 30 youth from the Willmar area had the chance to gain skills and experience in both agriculture and marketing this growing season, thanks in part to a Mid-Minnesota Community Enhancement grant. The MNYou Youth Garden was awarded $2,000 to support youth training wages and install additional irrigation.
Participating youth learned about small scale agriculture while working on the MNYou vegetable farm. There, they had the opportunity to learn about seedling management, pest control, harvesting techniques, and plant transplanting. They also gained insight on how to market their product. MNYou鈥檚 youth receive the positive reinforcement of a wage while learning and working in the garden and can work up to 20 hours each week throughout the summer months.
Produce grown by MNYou鈥檚 workers helps to support a community-supported agriculture program, through which subscribers can purchase either nine or 18 weeks-worth of seasonal produce. 鈥淢NYOu鈥檚 program is unique in that we鈥檙e able to match the CSA sales鈥�, said MNYou Cofounder Ben Larson. 鈥淔amilies that self-identify as food insecure can receive free vegetable boxes throughout the growing season鈥�.
The Mid-Minnesota Community Enhancement Grant opportunity is open to 501(c)3 nonprofits, school districts, and local units of government in the 麻豆传媒映画 region (Counties of Kandiyohi, McLeod, Meeker, and Renville). These organizations may apply for enhancement grants of up to $3,000 which can be used to fund:
- Health, safety, or wellness-focused training for community members or specific professional or volunteer groups;
- Supplies and/or equipment needed for improved emergency response;
- Items to enhance law enforcement organization鈥檚 ability to develop positive relationships with youth, people of color, and other groups;
- Public amenities that will promote physical and/or mental well-being or increase opportunities for positive community interaction (e.g., recreation equipment, walking path amenities);
- Support workforce training opportunities for youth and other populations.
Since its launch, 11 Mid-Minnesota Community Enhancement Grants have been awarded by 麻豆传媒映画鈥檚 Board of Commissioners. To learn more about Mid-Minnesota Development Commission, visit MMRDC.org.