In 2018, VGI participated in the Earn & Learn Community Work Experience Program by sponsoring 4 young adults on our farm, and again in 2019 with another 2 participants! Earn & Learn is a summer youth employment program initiated by Mayor Tom Barrett in partnership with local business, non-profit, and community- and faith-based organizations. This incredible program assists young people from Milwaukee in making a successful transition from adolescence into adulthood through job skills and work experience.

The youth in our program participated in many aspects of our farm operations, learning how to harvest and wash vegetables, getting to cook farm fresh recipes, and getting mentored by our farm and office staff. We look forward to being a host site again in 2020 and expanding into workforce development within the field of Urban Agriculture!

For applications or more information on the Earn & Learn Program, visit the city’s website at: https://city.milwaukee.gov/EarnandLearn.