YouthGROW is an 8 week urban agriculture youth employment program for 14-16 year old young adults that takes place in the Main South neighborhood of Worcester, MA. 

Youth apply in April for the program and are interviewed and reviewed by selected youth leaders from the previous year’s program.  Youth participants are paid for 8 weeks over the summer, for 20 hours a week. 

The program time (as can be seen below in the typical week’s schedule) consists of physical farming, skill building workshops and youth empowerment/leadership activities. 

We work Tuesday-Thursday 9:30-3:30.  Each Wednesday we go on a field trip to another farm or youth program to volunteer for the day and share experiences.  There are also some additional support hours required each week for special events/clean-up/set-up. 

We run our program by consensus which means that staff and youth participants have an equal say into program decisions.  Youth input is highly valued and expected within the program. 

We are always open to getting more people involved with YouthGROW through applying as a youth, interning, being seasonal staff or volunteering.  Contact Casey Burns if you are interested. 

A Typical Week at YouthGROW