The SEED Badge

Empowering youth through hands-on training.

A youth-focused, youth-driven training program that engages young people in the full process of business, through experiential education and community development. Participants gain real-world experience as they work together to create, develop, deliver, and market products and services focused on food security.

GARDEN

SEED provides hands-on land-based learning at our community garden space and at local farms. Youth are introduced to basic gardening skills, from planting through to harvesting. Approximately 12 hours of training.

KITCHEN

Youth will gain valuable hands-on experience alongside our Youth Mentors and a professional Chef in our kitchen and over the fire at our community garden space. Youth will learn appropriate kitchen etiquette, safety, knife skills, and tons of recipe preparation skills. Approximately 12 hours of training.

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE

SEED supports youth in gaining important business skills from start-up to marketing to product development. Our affordable markets and student nutrition programming highlight the importance of supporting community through healthy business practices. Approximately 12 hours of training.

Information for Youth and Families

SEED is a unique program for youth that focuses on social enterprise and addresses food insecurity in our community.
By training in gardens, kitchens, and markets, youth build skills and acquire valuable certifications throughout the Seed-to-Plate program.
Youth can benefit by receiving high school credits, valuable program supports, and hiring incentives with local employers.

Valuable certifications can also be achieved by youth through our program supports that can cover training in:

FIRST AID

MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID

FOOD SAFETY

SMART SERVE

Information for Employers

Here is why you should consider hiring a program graduate with a SEED Badge credential:

The SEED Badge is a youth-created micro-credential that recognizes the skill, experiences, and knowledge built through the SEED program.
Youth spend time in gardens, kitchens, and markets with local experts and educators and receive the Badge to represent their training.
The Badge is a tool for employers hoping to hire youth with Seed-to-Plate skills because it guarantees important credentials and certificates required in the food industry.

Being a SEED Partner has its Incentives

Hiring Incentives up to $1000/employee.
Access to pre-trained, pre-screened future employees.
Strong connection to youth who have gained skills in Gardens, Kitchens & Markets.
Deepened sense of community engagement.