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Youth Empowerment Program

YEP provides exceptional leadership development opportunities to teens of all backgrounds through career/college readiness workshops and technical instruction in regenerative agriculture. Since piloting in 2021, 154 students have graduated from YEP across 12 Cohorts. 

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YEP students gather for 8 sessions that are conducted during summer months, Mondays - Thursdays, 9 AM - 1 PM.

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Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to apply for a paid summer farm internship that strengthens their skills and knowledge, as well as co-facilitate the summer cohort.

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We are now accepting applications for Summer 2025 below. 

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Farming Activities

Ninety minutes of each session are devoted to regenerative agriculture instruction, covering the following topics: 

  • soil preparation

  • fertilizing

  • transplanting

  • weeding

  • harvesting

  • irrigation management

  • pest management

  • field & food safety

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Students will be compensated a total of $200 for their participation in 8 sessions.

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Educational Workshops

Workshops, available in English and Spanish, include the following topics:

  • financial literacy

  • SMART Goals

  • Ag career exploration

  • college knowledge

  • resumes

  • STAR interviews

  • public speaking

  • health & nutrition

  • DE&I in Agriculture

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“The thing I enjoyed the most about YEP was being outside. It was all a great learning opportunity, not only learning about farming, but also about life skills. I'll apply that to my life getting jobs and living a healthy life.”

Hannah V, Fall 21' Cohort

Thank You to Our Program Sponsors!

The City of San Luis Obispo, the County of San Luis Obispo, and Private Donors.

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