"Growing good food, and people"
Growing Partners Program 
The Growing Partners Program provides meaningful employment and professional training for rural teens, 16 to 19 years old, from low-income families in south Thurston County. Participating youth ("Growing Partners") become an active part of the Thurston County local food system, learning about organic farming and marketing while also learning how to become a good team member, a good communicator and a leader. The Growing Partners work on integrated crews with Left Foot "Growers" - youth peers and adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities - learning the value of diversity and the meaning of inclusive community.
Growing Self, Relationships and Community: A three-part program for personal and professional development
Spring - Self
Successful applicants enter the program as Interns in the Spring, and participate in 11 Saturdays of on-the- job training and workshops from April 3rd to June 12th. The Spring Internship Program focuses on the self, with an emphasis on learning some new skills and learning about organic growing at the Left Foot farm.
Growing Partners Saturdays begin at 9:00am and go to 3:00pm. In the morning, participants do volunteer work on the farm, planting, weeding, watering and other farm tasks. The afternoon is devoted to training and workshops intended to prepare youth for both the Left Foot Summer Employment Program and for future educational and career opportunities. Upon successful completion of the internship, youth will be awarded a $250 stipend and the opportunity to apply for the Summer Employment Program. Participants can use the Spring Internship to fulfill community service requirements for graduation. 
Summer - Self and Others
Youth who successfully complete the Spring Internship Program are offered the opportunity to apply for summer employment. The Summer Employment Program focuses on the Self in relation to others. Participants will work 25 hours a week and earn $8.55 an hour, Tuesday through Saturday, beginning in late June and continuing through August.
Growing Partners participate in all the work of running the Left Foot farm. Their job duties include field preparation, transplanting, irrigation, weeding, harvesting and caring for the chickens, all in a spirit of cooperation and support for their coworkers with disabilities. They also pack and deliver produce to Left Foot CSA customers (see the CSA page), and sell produce at the Dupont and Tumwater farmers markets and at the farm stand.
By working and learning with the rest of the Left Foot crew, harvesting and marketing the quality, fresh organic produce they grow together, Growing Partners develop meaningful relationships and discover the power and joy of just being who you are and doing your best. 
Fall - Self and Community
Once school begins in September, Growing Partners work only on Saturdays from 9:00am-3:00pm. The program focus turns toward gathering the final harvest and reaching out to the community as Left Foot prepares for its annual fundraising dinner and auction event, the Fall Fun Farm Formal. Growing Partners reflect on their summer's experience, and have a chance to share what they've learned with the broader community. The program closes at the end of October.
For more information on how you can participate in the Growing Partners Program, contact Kerri, Growing Partners Youth Program Coordinator, at youth@leftfootorganics.org.
Left Foot Organics
PO Box 12772
Olympia, WA 98508 |
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360-754-1849
info@leftfootorganics.org |
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