Begun in Spring 2003, the Ypsilanti Roots & Shoots Youth Garden program built on the success of the Perry Learning Garden by bringing at-risk middle schoolers together. They learned about nutrition, leadership, entrepreneurial skills, and local history as they a gardened at Depot Town's Freight House, site of the weekly Ypsilanti Depot Town Farmer's Market.

Youth worked both there and other gardens in Ypsilanti, and enjoyed field trips to horticultural, agricultural, and historical sites around our community. The group met twice a week and sold at the Farmer's Market occasionally throughout the summer. In 2005, youth assisted with healthy cooking demos at the Farmer's Market.

In 2006, the Roots & Shoots Youth Garden Program shifted focus and started to bring youth together to learn more about the market possibilities of gardening. The 2006 Youth Entrepreneurs grew their own cut flowers and produce for sale at the Downtown Ypsilanti Farmers' Market.

Now in its third year as the Youth Entrepreneur Program , the 2008 Roots & Shoots participants are learning the basics of business planning, nutrition, and gardening to plan for a successful season selling at Growing Hope's Downtown Ypsilanti Farmers' Market.

In 2008, Roots & Shoots is open to motivated young people in grades 8-12. It'll run late March-early October, Tuesdays & Thursday from 3:30-6:00 pm. We're currently taking applications for this free program, and hope you'll apply! See below for materials, and get your applications in soon!

• 2008 Roots & Shoots Flyer
• 2008 Roots & Shoots Info Sheet
• 2008 Roots & Shoots Application
• 2008 Roots & Shoots Field Trip form
• Logic Model for Roots & Shoots-- this is a tool we use to map out what we're doing and why.

Once you've filled out an application, please give Meg a call at Growing Hope at 734-786-8401 or email her at meg@growinghope.net.