OUR MISSION:

To cultivate self-sufficient, confident, and joyful youth who enthusiastically pursue their career and life goals through internships, training, and entrepreneurship.

What is Supa Fresh Youth Farm?

Supa Fresh Youth Farm is an established Social Purpose Enterprise that has employed and trained underserved youth, ages 16-24, in the Tigard-Tualatin School District (TTSD) and Southeast Washington County since 2009, and serves as a learning space that provides rich experiential vocational opportunities for youth.

Supa Fresh Youth Farm is a component of the YouthSource program, and is administered by the non-profit organization, Impact NW, located in Portland. YouthSource is funded by Worksystems Inc. through a grant from the Department of Labor, The City of Tigard, as well as other grants, corporate and private donations, and farm profits.

Supa Fresh Youth Farm, which started with just four raised beds at the Durham Education Center Alternative High School, has grown into a learning space that includes three 1/4 acre gardens, located in Tigard, Oregon at the Creekside Community High School, Durham Elementary School, and Metzger Elementary School. The farm employs up to 50 youth per year in paid internships that include Work Readiness Training, Leadership Development and Support Services. The hands-on, student-centered approach to learning at the farm empowers and supports youth to learn by doing.

At the farm, youth earn money, develop transferable work skills and earn school credits while learning about sustainable agricultural practices, environmental stewardship, and healthy nutritional habits. Youth also develop entrepreneurial skills, learn about business management, customer service, marketing, and teamwork by running a farm stand, online soap business, and operating a CSA.

The farmers grow a variety of produce, herbs, and flowers using sustainable, organic techniques. We use ZERO chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides on our crops.

Proceeds from the farm go toward paying the farmers and purchasing tools and supplies, and 20% of the produce grown at the farm is donated to an onsite culinary program as well as a student accessible food pantry.

Who are the farmers?

They are hardworking youth from the Tigard-Tualatin area, who want to learn employment and life skills while making the world a better place.

They are the future.