Summer Scholars at Baton Roots

As September draws to a close and we enter the full swing of a still-new school year, Baton Roots is looking back at our summer hosting MYWE scholars at the community farm.

MYWE, or the Mayor's Youth Workforce Experience, is a summer program led by the Mayor’s office, Big Buddy, and other community organizations. The program connects high school youth with summer internship opportunities at local organizations while simultaneously providing weekly personal and professional development opportunities.

MYWE Scholar Kayden with a boquet of flowers grown and harvested at Baton Roots Community Farm

This year, MYWE matched 13 scholars with Baton Roots. Scholars learned fundamental skills in urban agroforestry and community based programming. They helped us start and maintain seedlings, weed, harvest, distribute produce to community members, and lead educational programs for volunteer groups and summer camps while visiting the farm.

The Walls Project is grateful to Big Buddy for all they do to keep this program going to provide opportunities for young people in our city.

Check out the videos below to see what MYWE scholars Jerry, Kayden, Dylan, Chelsea, loved about working with Baton Roots!

Jerry

"When we started planting lettuce it was actually fun lowkey"

Kayden

"my favorite thing to do at Baton Roots is to plant flowers"

Dylan

"My favorite thing about Baton Roots this year was planting sweet potatoes and squash"

Chelsea

"my favorite thing that I did this summer would probably be picking okra. To me it's therapeutic, I can just walk around."

Thank you to Big Buddy, the Mayor's Office, and most importantly to the incredible MYWE scholars who joined us this summer!