This initiative was made possible through the partnership between Green Teen and Cornell University and Nubian Directions II, Inc.

The LEAD staff of Dutchess County's People USA branch reached out to Green Teen and gave the youth the opportunity to grow food for more members of their community in a way they had not thought about. Thanks to the support of Assembly Member Jonathan Jacobson, this initiative was expanded to Poughkeepsie, New York.

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The partnership between Green Teen Poughkeepsie and Nubian Directions II Inc. was the driving force behind the successful execution of this project.

The Green Teen program empowers urban youth to be effective community change agents by immersing them in the local food system. This youth development program teaches life and work skills through hands-on experiences in farming and gardening, health and nutrition, entrepreneurship, and leadership.

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They are best known for our paid youth programs where we hire teenagers to grow food in the Green Teen gardens and distribute the food with Common Ground Farm through our Free Farm Stand, “Common Greens.”

Nubian Directions, a non-profit organization based in Poughkeepsie, is dedicated to providing technology training and youth development programs to underserved communities.

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Through this partnership, Nubian Directions students were able to gain hands-on experience in horticulture and contribute to the community in a meaningful way.

This project not only provided access to fresh produce but also encouraged the community to consider growing their own food and to be mindful of the impact that their choices have on the environment.

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By providing opportunities for youth to learn and grow in fields like horticulture, these organizations are helping to build a better future for all.

We commend Green Teen, Cornell University, and all the partners involved for their dedication and commitment to making a difference.

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