According to the USDA, Agriculture and its related industries make up 10.3% of U.S. employment, but less than 1.4% are engaged directly in farming. With most of the American public generationally detached from farm life, the justification for ongoing urban agriculture programing and a subsequent research poster entry at the 2022 Association of Extension Administrators National Conference, are justified. The efforts to re-establish a link for youth to learn where food actually originates, and when applicable to contribute to its growth and harvest first-hand, resonated with judges.

Multiple presentations to rotating judges resulted in a first place recognition among over 100 poster entries at the 1890 institution awards ceremony in August. Personal integration into working the land is often resisted, especially by urban youth of color, due to a variety of reasons. There exists negative stigmas and stereotypes that have been perpetuated for generations, both from within minority communities and from outside influences. To combat this isolation, the target audience of this project is at-risk urban youth, often from lower socio-economic neighborhoods. The two primary groups are participants in a summer kinesthetic series at the urban garden and students at Russellville Independent High School engaged in aquaponics education. The latter curriculum arose as an extension of collaborative efforts with an ensemble of diverse teachers from multiple disciplines, the founder and director of the Russellville Urban Garden Project and KYSU Extension professionals.

100% of the participants in the Summer Garden Program Series were African American and ranged in age from eight to fifteen years old with both genders represented. Over the five-year span of Aquaponics courses being offered, the percentage of minority and female students exceeds the national and state averages for agricultural based courses. Russellville High was one of the first schools without an Agriculture program to offer a stand-alone aquaculture course in Kentucky. The teacher attests that her students have taken full responsibility for every water quality test, water exchange, feed conversion ratio calculation and and fish behavior monitoring. One particular young person attributes the scientific nature of his aquaponics class as being instrumental in his acceptance to the prestigious Gatton Academy, Kentucky’s first two-year residential STEM school for gifted and talented 11^thand 12^thgraders, housed at Western Kentucky University. Data he recorded during his time at RHS is being applied to his current research project. 

Many youth have been influenced positively through direct or indirect involvement with the RUGP. A greater interest in Agricultural and related STEM careers, increased engagement in school, and appreciation for the food supply chain have been observed. One of the youngest Summer participants now has her vision set on a career in veterinary medicine. In addition to Gatton Academy enrollees, RHS will have a completer of the Biology and Aquaponics courses serve as a Laboratory Assistant this coming Fall. The award winning poster has subsequently been on display at the 2022 Kentucky Small Farms Conference and referenced at other statewide programming events.