Anthony Youth Farm
Grants Awarded
Anthony Youth Farm's Youth Outdoor Workforce and Leadership Program provides paid, nature-based education and workforce development for disadvantaged Latino and Indigenous teenagers in Anthony, New Mexico. It blends outdoor recreation, environmental education, land stewardship, and sustainable agriculture to prepare the youth for future employment in outdoor and agricultural sectors while also focusing on leadership skills and support systems. By simultaneously removing barriers to outdoor access, enhancing environmental literacy, and preparing participants for potential careers, this program aspires to propel these disadvantaged youth towards a brighter future.
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.