Guelph Youth Farm officially opens

It’s a small farm with a much bigger goal in mind.

Organizers, supporters and well-wishers came out Friday for the official opening of the Guelph Youth Farm.

Located beside St. Joseph’s Health Centre on Westmount Road, the small farming plot on St. Joseph’s property is a social project aimed at teaching out of work and out of school youth some basic farming skills but also wider-ranging job, life and leadership skills.

The project is piloted by SEED, a community food project run by the Guelph Community Health Centre, although many other organizations and sponsors have been involved to various degrees.

Oliver Maynard-Langedijk runs the local Food Jobs Program that provides the workers for the project.

“Essentially it’s devoted to community building and youth enhancement in terms of employment and leadership schools,” Maynard-Langedijk said.

“We really hit home that we want the youth to be employed once their eight-week contract is up with us.”

He said several of the first group have arranged jobs, others are planning to go back to school.

“We also give them training in interviews, resume creation and all those things that will help them get jobs,” Maynard-Langedijk said.

Project assistant manager Cam Bell said the project is a social enterprise that works towards incorporating the community in the future.

“We have a lot of different partners, a lot of supporters and a lot of funders for this project,” Bell said, adding that expansion is in the project’s future.

The first stage of the project has seen eight youth work on the farm. That group’s eight-week stint is just completing. A new group of 10 starts on Tuesday.

Participants are paid $13 per hour for 25 hours each week for eight weeks.

Workshops, farm visits and other skill-building exercises are also part of the program.

The first crop of food will be a small one, but Maynard-Langedijk said it is hoped other farm locations will be started throughout the city as part of the project.

The group is still figuring out where the food will go. It is hoped it will be sold and funds generated from those sales put back into the program, Maynard-Langedijk said.

Councillor June Hofland and Mayor Cam Guthrie were also on hand for Friday’s grand opening.

Hofland spoke of Guelph’s many qualities, but said one of its strongest qualities “is our ability to work together. It’s a Guelph thing. This project is a fine example of that.

“It’s a terrific partnership,” Hofland said.

Bishop Matthew Ustrzycki blessed the property at the end of the ceremonies.