Anthony Youth Farm
Grants Awarded
Anthony Youth Farm’s Youth Outdoor Workforce and Leadership Program is a paid, experiential learning initiative aimed at enhancing equitable access to nature-based education and workforce development for rural, low-income Latino and Indigenous youth aged 14 to 18 in Anthony, New Mexico. This program intertwines outdoor recreation, environmental education, and land stewardship, with sustainable agriculture serving as the primary vehicle for connecting youth to the outdoors. The program provides participants with meaningful, hands-on outdoor experiences that cultivate environmental literacy and a sense of stewardship. Through paid workforce training, youth are prepared for future educational and career opportunities related to outdoor and agricultural fields. The initiative also focuses on building leadership skills, confidence, and long-term support systems for youth navigating pathways toward college, vocational training, or community leadership. By increasing their understanding of natural systems, enhancing outdoor workforce readiness skills, and removing barriers to outdoor access through paid participation, instruction, and transportation support, the program aims to foster a brighter future for its participants. Targeting rural, low-income youth in the Anthony area, the program primarily serves individuals who identify as Latino or Indigenous, many of whom face significant barriers to outdoor access due to poverty, limited transportation options, and a lack of exposure to structured outdoor learning opportunities. Numerous participants are first-generation college-bound youth or are referred by community partners assisting families affected by food insecurity or justice involvement. Outdoor activities within the program encompass a range of instructional and recreational elements grounded in farm-based learning. Participants engage with agroecology and sustainable farming practices, learn about soil health, composting, and irrigation systems, and gain insights into pollinator and habitat education. Other topics include integrated pest management, seed saving, medicinal plant identification with ethical harvesting, outdoor cooking, and farm-to-table food preparation. Additionally, the program offers equipment and tractor safety training, as well as opportunities for leadership development and team-based outdoor projects. All activities take place on AYF’s 25-acre farm, ensuring that instruction emphasizes active participation, teamwork, and environmental education aligned with AFNR Career Cluster standards. The anticipated impact of the program includes increased youth confidence, enhanced leadership skills, and a heightened awareness of environmental issues, all while fostering a deeper connection to the land and the community. Expected outcomes involve improved outdoor skills, a greater interest in environmental and agricultural careers, enhanced workforce readiness, and established pathways leading to higher education or employment. Participants also experience a strong sense of belonging and purpose through their meaningful work outdoors. Scheduled to take place during the summer months and selected seasonal sessions throughout the year, the program activities will occur primarily during daylight hours in outdoor farm and garden spaces at Anthony Youth Farm. This structure ensures that participants receive consistent, immersive exposure to nature-based recreation and learning, nurturing both personal growth and community involvement.
Founded in 2012, Anthony Youth Farm (AYF) is a community-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Anthony, New Mexico. We focus on serving rural, low-income Latino and Indigenous youth and their families. AYF’s mission is to create social, economic, and leadership opportunities for youth through agriculture, outdoor education, and land-based learning, while also enhancing food security and promoting environmental stewardship in the border region. AYF operates a 25-acre farm incubator that serves as both an outdoor classroom and a site for workforce development. Through year-round and summer youth programs, AYF provides hands-on, outdoor instruction that aligns with the Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (AFNR) Career Cluster standards. Participants engage in sustainable agriculture, natural resource management, food systems education, and leadership development, all while acquiring real-world job skills and gaining paid employment experience. The proposed Youth Outdoor Workforce and Leadership Program builds on AYF’s successful model by integrating experiential learning modules in agroecology, soil health, irrigation, pollinators, food safety, equipment safety, medicinal plants, marketing, and college and career readiness. Instruction primarily takes place outdoors and emphasizes teamwork, problem-solving, environmental literacy, and community responsibility. AYF’s main funding sources include state and federal grants, private foundations, and strong local partnerships. Community partners, such as the Women’s Intercultural Center and 21st Century Care, recognize AYF’s positive impact on youth confidence, leadership, and overall well-being. Recent accomplishments include training dozens of youth annually, providing paid summer employment, expanding food distribution partnerships, and supporting youth pathways into higher education, agriculture, and community leadership.