Ed Davis Youth Farm Camp is a partnership program of the local Extension Horticulture Program and Scott C. Parks and Recreation’s Ed Davis Learning Center. The goal is to provide a motivating agriculture experiences for minority urban and suburban youth far removed from agricultural environment. This year the camp focused on increasing awareness of sustainable agriculture practices and economic diversity.  Youth were engaged in such activities as visiting the Kentucky State University Research Farm, and the Center for Sustainability of Farms and Families where they were exposed to plant and animal research projects. Day two the group traveled to the Thoroughbred Center and the North American Racing Academy where they were exposed to race riding, care and management of racehorses, and the workings of the racing industry as a whole. Day Three provided tours of Food Chain Aquaponics Farm. Here youth were exposed campers to growing food in an untraditional, urban environment. Campers were provided  lunch at Smithtown Seafood, and to round out the West 6th Street experience, a tour of West 6th Brewery emphasized agriculture diversification of growing hops and other crops.  At the learning center throughout the week, campers used plants in the youth garden for learning about plant parts, needs, growth and creating healthy and nutritious food.

This Farm experience encouraged responsibility and respect, rewarding children with merits of teamwork, self-confidence and exposure to diverse food systems that was unknown to their everyday lives. The farm camp program made positive impressions that will last a lifetime for the 11 youth, and 6 volunteers attending. Two campers, ages 10 and 11, said they would be back to North American Racing Academy, which provides an associate’s degree in cooperation with BCTC, as students in the future.