
Youth Empowerment Program

About YEP
Agriculture's Future is our Youth
City Farm SLO's 'Youth Empowerment Program' was developed in April 2021.
YEP's mission is to provide exceptional enrichment and leadership development opportunities for teenagers, of all backgrounds and experience levels in the greater San Luis Obispo area.
We offer our students opportunities to create and mold their own unique experiences through a wide range of educational workshops and farming activities.
Through the Youth Empowerment Program, students develop skills and knowledge necessary for healthy and successful futures.

What We Do

Educational Workshops
Workshops cover a wide range of topics including:
financial literacy
SMART Goals
diverse career opportunities
college knowledge
resumes
STAR interviews
public speaking
self care

Farming Activities
On the 1.25-acre YEP field, students have the opportunity to engage in hands on instruction focused on regenerative farming methods and develop skills in different areas including:
soil preparation
fertilizing
transplanting
weeding
harvesting
irrigation management
field safety

Hannah V.
Fall '21 Cohort
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

Emma M.
Spring '21 Cohort
My favorite farming activity was planting because I got to learn how to transplant and how the irrigation system works.

Sophia G.
Fall '21 Cohort
My favorite workshop has been about compartmentalization
because I learned that I can balance my fun, my priorities, and my work all together.

Ava A.
Summer '21 Cohort
My favorite workshop was the public speaking one because it helped me to be a better public speaker.
YEP students gather for 8 sessions that are conducted from
9am to 1pm on Saturdays.
Ninety minutes of each session is devoted to farming activities and field instruction. Students are paid for their work on the field and
can earn up to $200.
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.
Meet the YEP Team
.png)
Mayte Magallon
Program Facilitator

Adriana Arias
Program Communications & Media Coordinator
Pilot Program student, Natalya Tamayo, helps lay down a sprinkler irrigation system.
Chelsea Nava (summer 2021 cohort) poses with her ice cream that she made during the last session of her program.
Shelby Barrett (summer 2021 cohort) pulls out weeds from tenant farmer, Jerry Mahoney's squash plants.
interested in participating in YEP?
Our SUMMER 2022 application is now open!
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
---|
Meet our 2021 YEP Graduates!
Pilot Cohort: Adolfo De Dios, Ander Ortiz, Carlos Temiz, Emma Murguia, Emmanuel De Dios, Griffin Lucier, Heriberto Méndez, Jairo Rojas Ortiz, Jose Becerra, Juaquin Hernandez, Lucas Fisher, Mateo Trujillo, Natalya Tamayo, Nathaly Aguilar, Yahir Chavez, Yareli Méndez, Zaidad Castellanos
Summer Cohort: Ava Afsari, Axyri Perez, Chelsea Nava, Daniel J. Nava Rojas, Eden Blakeney, Ella Bettencourt, Emily White, Kai Tabata, Lindy Salmon, Miguel Nunez, Peter Trigueiro, Rosalva Farias, Shelby Barrett, Ziona Xzyntua
Fall Cohort: Aaliyah Francesca Corbitt, Alma Tinoco Juarez, Chelsea Johnson, Ella Vowell, Hannah Van Doren, James Gregory, Sophiana Garza
Are you a past YEP Graduate?
Apply for Our SUMMER 2022 Regenerative farming internship!
Thanks to our Program Sponsors:
Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation, County of San Luis Obispo, Marx City Farm Education Fund, and Private Donors.