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1845 N. Farwell Ave., Ste 100, Milwaukee, WI 53202
www.victorygardeninitiative.org
501(C)3 NONPROFIT
EIN: 45-5035466
2017 YEP! Youth Education Program Proposal
Contact Information
Name of Organization: Victory Garden Initiative
Name of Contact: Beverly Tyree
Title: Program and Operations Director
Email: Beverly@victorygardeninitiative.org
Phone: (414) 431-0888
Summary
If you were to stroll through Milwaukee’s Harambee neighborhood before 2010, you would make an appalling discovery on
Concordia Avenue. Many empty lots dot the city of Milwaukee, but this one was downtrodden, polluted, fruitless, and even
dangerous. Rusty metal and shattered glass hid beneath mounds of weeds, waiting to cut deep into a playing child’s foot.
Abandoned tires, bottles, and barrels had been tossed into the lot as if it were a public recycling bin. Altogether, the lot
seemed hopelessly destined to remain neglected.
But in 2010, Victory Garden Initiative (VGI) saw this meager lot as an opportunity. With a long haul, a steadfast resolve, and a
treasured volunteer team, we transformed that threatening eyesore into a 1.5-acre gardening oasis. It was an unthinkable
accomplishment. A beautiful garden, constructed and hidden away in the middle of a densely urban environment.
The Farm was put to use immediately, with gardeners from
the surrounding neighborhoods seizing the opportunity to
finally grow healthy fruits and vegetables close to home. As
the community came together to establish this brand new
food system, youth from nearby, at-risk communities began
to help out alongside the adults. These young gardeners
were the beginning of our Youth Education Program
(YEP!).
YEP! has matured in the seven years since. It has evolved to
feature educational activities, fun-filled games, Scout
programs, and internship opportunities. Today, the YEP! Program works to educate and empower youth in the greater
Milwaukee area to make positive changes in their communities and home food systems, and we hope to keep doing so in
the future.
Through the introduction of gardening, food system management, and community involvement, YEP! continues to provide
youth with more than just soil and spades. We hope to provide the lifelong tools they need to improve the world around
them, such as:
Increased knowledge of fruits, vegetables, nutrition, gardening, community, and the connections between these
concepts
Sharpened teamwork, community organization, and leadership skills
Improved ability to work effectively in a group and act as mentors to others.
With involvement in YEP! programs, youth take these tools home, where they will strengthen and spark development in
their often at-risk communities and neighborhoods.
We strive every day to continue developing our ever-changing program, and to give participants an inspired experience. To
further expand and strengthen these efforts for the youth of Milwaukee, Victory Garden Initiative is seeking $4,500 in
support for the YEP! Program.
Mission and History
Victory Garden Initiative builds communities that grow their own food, creating a community-based, socially just,
environmentally sustainable, nutritious food system for all.
VGI was established in 2009 when community members recognized the negative environmental, social, economic, and
health implications of our dominant food system. The solution was building communities that grow their own food. Since
its inception, VGI has rallied to install over 3,500 gardens, launched our 1.5-acre urban farm, planted 23 orchards in at-risk,
low-income neighborhoods, taught thousands of adults and children how to grow food, and trained 68 community Food
Leaders. Our annual event, The Great Milwaukee Victory Garden BLITZ, has gained so much momentum that it has
expanded to conducting BLITZ trainings in other communities like Green Bay, Wisconsin and Berea, Kentucky.
Our slogan is: “This is a grassroots movement. Move
grass. Grow food.”, and we take action through a variety
of programs.
Youth Education Program (YEP!)
Victory Garden Urban Farm (The Farm)
Great Milwaukee Victory Garden BLITZ
Food Leader Certificate Program
The Fruity Nutty Five Orchard Contest
Through these efforts, VGI is able to bring often at-risk
communities together to teach them how to grow food,
and to supply them with the means to create their own
sustainable community.
When fruit trees fill our parks and nut trees are harvested by our neighbors, when food pantries house vegetable gardens
and school children participate in growing their lunches, we will have a secure, sovereign, socially just and sustainable food
system.
Program Description
In 2017, the Victory Garden Youth Education Program hopes to expand its focus as a hands-on learning site for youth by
highlighting food system equality and practical solutions for growing one’s own food. Through these programs we will be
promoting teamwork, leadership, and entrepreneurial skills.
The Victory Garden Urban farm, our 1.5 acre gardening oasis, is the ideal outdoor classroom for teaching youth practical
gardening skills, composting, and nutrition, while giving them the tools to construct their very own local food system.
Located in the heart of the Harambee neighborhood, and just 15-30 minutes from all WaterStone Bank branch locations,
The Farm is an open invitation for the youth of Milwaukee to come together, make new friends, get outdoors, and learn
something new.
With YEP! Programs, we benefit Milwaukee’s youth through education and community involvement. In 2017, we hope
bring the following programs to at least 150 youth and 15 youth interns, with the goal of 50% retention from year to year.
Day at the Farm
These all-day workshops encourage youth to connect with a local food source, and to learn about growing food while
enjoying activities that highlight nutrition and outdoor play. Youth learn the benefits of soil health and environmental
stewardship, practice growing their own food, and learn the benefits of nutritious, fresh, locally grown food rather than
processed food with high sugar and calorie content. Youth can also attend on- site cooking demonstrations and learn how
to make meals from the food they grow. In 2017, we anticipate at least 150 youth participants, and are always hoping to
expand our outreach.
Scout Days
These Day at the Farm events are customized for Boy and Girl scouts. The experience encourages scouts to participate in
garden-based games, veggie tasting, and more, all while learning and experiencing everything that the original Day at the
Farm event offers. Furthermore, Boy Scouts will meet requirements to earn badges such as gardening, citizenship in the
community, and sustainability, while Girl Scouts will meet requirements for merits such as the love, save, and share water
awards. We take pride in working together with the Boy Scouts to give youth a rewarding experience they will never forget.
FarmStand Initiative
Established in 2014, the FarmStand Initiative allows youth to enjoy the entire
growing season, all while being outside and having fun. FarmStand extends the
garden experience to ages 8-14, and gives youth from the neighborhood an
opportunity to learn entrepreneurial skills by planting, harvesting, and selling
garden produce. In 2017, this will also include participation at local farmers
markets, which will provide the opportunity for children to learn customer
service, business, marketing, and leadership skills in a positive, healthy setting.
Youth will also work with local food pantries to deliver remaining produce for
their clients, ensuring a continuum of healthy, locally grown food for neighbors
in need. This summer, we hope to accept at least 15 youth interns to
participate in the program, and are always looking to raise this number.
Youth Stipends
In 2017, we will implement youth stipends to the FarmStand Initiative program
to provide youth with the added benefit of learning while earning for their
future. Our goal is to use the stipend program to introduce financial
responsibility and literacy to our youth interns, who will doubtlessly put this newfound financial advantage to the test at
home, in their communities, and in all of their future endeavors. The stipends are a new effort by VGI to help participants in
at-risk communities, which is a cause that we are deeply devoted to.
Victory Garden Urban Farm and YEP! Overall Steps and Timeline
After submitting their applications in April and May, youth will experience a summer scheduled according to their
enjoyment and interests. The timeline for YEP! is separated into quarters with specific plans that keep our programming
and youth interns on task each year. These quarters, listed below with the steps planned for them, are reflected in our
reports and evaluations.
June-November 2017
Full farm growing production - youth participate in preparation, growth, harvesting, and sales of crops at The Farm.
June-August 2017
Summer program - full-day weekly youth education programs, including sample learning such as food system realities,
nutrition, growing your own food, soil rehabilitation, cook what you grow, team activities, and more.
August-September 2017
End of Summer celebration - youth highlight what they have done, and celebrate their efforts and experiences at our
FarmRaiser party at The Farm.
September - October 2017
Summer Conclusion - Conducting the Project Evaluation, Analysis, and Reporting, and planning the 2018 budget.
Reporting Results /Evaluation Process
Evaluating the program's success is multi-faceted. Student, leader, and volunteer questionnaires will evaluate specific
details about the program, including each student’s learning, behaviors, skills, effectiveness, and impact. Our evaluation
process covers several different areas.
Attendance
VGI will track who spends time, who joins in on community efforts, and who is present at events. In 2017, we hope to host
at least 150 youth participants and 15 youth interns. With increased effort, we are dedicated to increasing these numbers
in the future.
Repeated participation
VGI will highlight who returns each year to participate in YEP! Programs, which will be influenced by increasing the quality
and value of our programming. In 2017, we will aim for a 50% retention rate, with the hope of increasing this number even
further in 2018.
Parental Surveys
VGI will provide surveys to families and gather their
feedback regarding the youth’s participation. In 2018, we
can apply this information to the YEP!
program and improve how children take home and use the
tools we give them to shape their communities.
Community Impact Surveys
VGI will determine who is already aware of the YEP!
program and The Farm, and who has received produce from
the youth. We will reach out to those who have not, with
surveys asking questions such as: “What kind of food would
you be interested in growing?” and “What would you like to
see improved in the neighborhood?” We hope to use this
information to attract new participants in the future.
These results are reported to our generous funding sources
through a post-program report submission. The impact and
success of YEP! is highlighted in the annual report,
FarmRaiser celebration event, our website, our social media
accounts, and other outreach avenues.
WaterStone Bank’s Benefits and Recognition
VGI strives to provide ample opportunities for grantor and donor recognition, in an effort to thank contributors for their
generous financial support and commitment to the future of Milwaukee’s youth. Primarily, grantors or donors will be listed
by name and logo as sponsors in our newsletters, reports, event materials, publications, and online platforms. There are
many avenues in which sponsors are recognized at VGI.
The VGI annual report
Our annual FarmRaiser celebration event
The VGI website
Our social media accounts Outreach
materials
Youth education materials The
VGI newsletter
Through these areas and more, we aim to recognize sponsors in materials that reach our largest audiences. Our efforts
include the VGI monthly newsletter, which alone reaches over 10,000 subscribers. With over 800 volunteers and over 20
college interns, sponsors can expect recognition from a vast network of participants. Waterstone Bank will also benefit from
being the first financial institution to sponsor VGI.
Furthermore, we hope to contribute to the success of our grantors and donors through the benefits participants receive
through our programs. VGI will assist residents of the greater Milwaukee area who may also be current and future clients of
WaterStone Bank. With new foundations in the economy of growing food, Waterstone Bank clients will find their financial
situations and literacy improved. These benefits will result in financial savings for clients, which will subsequently benefit
Waterstone Bank.
VGI is also registered as a 501(c)3 tax-exempt nonprofit. Although donations do not qualify for the CRA, all donations are
fully tax deductible.
WaterStone Bank Volunteer Opportunities
We recognize volunteers as an integral part of accomplishing our mission. Groups of any size are welcome. We invite our
partners, their colleagues, and their associates to participate in our mission through many avenues.
Working at The Farm
There is much to do at Victory Garden Urban Farm, and we can use all the help we can get. Participants can expect to work on
various gardening-related tasks, such as planting, digging, harvesting, and more.
Volunteering for The Great Milwaukee Blitz
The Great Milwaukee Blitz is our biggest event of the year. In 2016, over 400 volunteers constructed over 500 gardens in the
Milwaukee area. Volunteers help build and install gardens, filling them with fresh, organic soil. Drivers are also needed for
moving supplies between households.
Becoming a program participant
Volunteers can become trained to be food leaders certified in the development of their own community food system
projects. VGI also offers training for garden mentors, who are equipped to teach Milwaukee residents how to garden
effectively.
Volunteering will give individuals a new perspective on food systems, and an opportunity to connect directly with nature. We
hope to provide a unique, rewarding, and educational experience.
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