The Youth We Employ

Aiden, youth crew

With being around so many diverse people, I’ve learned to have empathy. Hearing about different peoples’ experiences has pushed me to understand and sympathize with them.

Aleena, youth crew

This job has helped TREMENDOUSLY with my leadership and public speaking skills. Before, I was really shy and didn't have a lot of opportunities to connect with others. LEAF gives me those opportunities and pushes me to be better.

allie, youth crew

The experience at LEAF that taught me the most was leading a post harvest task! We were taking care of radishes and I was in charge of the group. I learned a lot about teaching and leadership.

ashima, youth crew

Before coming here, I was really shy and didn't know how to express myself or start conversations with new people. LEAF showed me that you can bond with anyone, even people you wouldn't typically be friends with. You don't have to start a friendship, you just have to start a conversation.

brad, youth crew

LEAF’s diversity workshops have definitely taught me the most. Seeing people's different opinions is always really important. I also learned that there's multiple ways of being right.

camille, youth crew

LEAF doesn’t judge me for lacking any skills. Instead, it provides me the opportunity to get better at anything I want to improve in (like public speaking).

christyan, youth crew

One of my favorite memories from this past summer getting to be involved in all of the processes on the farm, from harvesting to packing out farm share boxes. I feel really proud that I’m doing that.

david, youth crew

LEAF has allowed me to grow by establishing a new environment to meet and adapt to new people.

didi, kitchen team

The experience that taught me the most at LEAF was the Shared Authority Gathering with youth, staff, and board. I got to learn a lot about what keeps LEAF successful and running. It also gave me the chance to learn more about the power I held in my voice, and how we shape our community.

el, kitchen team

My favorite part of LEAF is that it gives me the culinary and farming experience rather than just one or the other. This gives me foundational knowledge that will help me in what I want to do after high school, like growing my own food to make different dishes.

ella, farm fellow

This summer fellowship has taught me the most at LEAF. Learning how much it takes to run a farm is really powerful. It’s also pushed me to discover ways to help the youth grow and help them find their true talents. I’ve also learned to be confident when necessary but also when to step back.

emily, farm lead

LEAF has allowed me to grow by letting me try new things, and pushing me to be better than the day before. LEAF strives to grant us with new opportunities every day.

emilia, youth crew

What taught me the most this summer is that throughout every task, LEAF encourages youth to reach a level of competency that allows them to start leading. This has helped me not to doubt myself, and to trust my knowledge and capabilities.

emmarose, youth crew

My favorite memory from this summer was transplanting for the first time! I really enjoy that task; I hate dirt, but transplanting made me love it. It’s one of the rare things on the farm that I felt confident in immediately!

ethan, farm team

My favorite part of LEAF is that I like working with the land outside, and LEAF gives me that opportunity. Farm work is very unique and a lot of people do not have the experience. I have it!

gavin, youth crew

An experience that taught me the most was doing a task one day that included things I’d never done before. I really beat myself up over small mistakes I’d made that day, but later I realized they were not as big of a deal. It helped me to cope with failure and see it as something I can grow with versus something that was harmful.

greta, program lead

LEAF allowed me to grow by really boosting my confidence. I'm a very different person than I was two years ago. I’m solid with my personality and LEAF showed me that I'm capable in this world. It also ignited my passion in helping others and helping them recognize their capabilities and see how amazing they are.

jasmine, youth crew

Before I started working at LEAF, I didn't go outside a lot and didn’t like meeting new people. At school everybody knows you. LEAF provided me with a blank slate I could use to connect with others.

joshan, youth crew

It allowed me to establish more social connections and talk to more people. It also allowed me to expand my worldview. I wouldn't have as open of a mind if I hadn't met these new people.

kylie, youth crew

LEAF gives me opportunities to do all different types of work. Sometimes we work in the fields, sometimes we work in the kitchen, sometimes we run a market stand. Sometimes we work on ourselves.

leo, farm team

LEAF has given me a space to be uniquely myself. It's also given me a space to figure myself out.

mya, youth crew

One of my favorite memories from this summer is our check-out circles because they allow you to see what made someone's day. We also get to play games with each other, and those are always fun.

Nailah, kitchen team

My favorite part of LEAF is talking to all of the diverse people here. It’s always fun to talk to people with different personalities and backgrounds because it allows you to see parts of the world you may not experience.

olivia, outreach team

LEAF has taught me a lot about personal growth. Long story short, change doesn’t happen overnight. LEAF has given me patience and grace while I’ve been developing my leadership skills. That has really helped me understand that I need to take my time if I want to be a better leader.

poppy seed bagel, certified farm dog

My favorite part of LEAF is running down the hill and saying hello to everyone in the check-in/check-out circles each day!

Sage, farm team

LEAF has allowed me to improve my public speaking abilities, so much so that I can speak to public officials. Representing LEAF publicly is a huge opportunity and I am so grateful that LEAF shares the stage with youth.

soph, program lead

LEAF has taught me so much about handling conflict with my peers. I’ve learned to give and receive feedback with grace and respond in a reasonable manner.

Sophia, kitchen team

LEAF has encouraged me to be more confident in my abilities. It also gives me a lot of opportunities to try out new things and learn about all aspects of a farm.

wyatt, youth crew

My favorite part of LEAF is seeing the finished product after completing a task. It's rewarding to see all of my hard work pay off.

xyven, outreach team

One of my favorite memories with LEAF is working winter farmers markets. I loved the joy that our soup brought to our community and that we were all building camaraderie through the cold together.