Services to Youth

YouthRoots: Nurturing Youth, Nourishing Communities, Linking Generations

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In the Southern Area of The Links, Incorporated, we know that healthy communities begin with empowered youth. The Emerald Plate program is our invitation to roll up our sleeves and plant the seeds—literally and figuratively—for a more just and sustainable food system.

Under our Services to Youth facet, Emerald Plate projects create hands-on opportunities for young people to connect with the land, their heritage, and each other. From vibrant school gardens that double as outdoor classrooms to youth-led farmer’s markets buzzing with entrepreneurial spirit, our members are cultivating spaces where knowledge and nourishment grow side by side.

We also extend our reach to HBCU students pursuing degrees in agriculture and related fields, equipping them to lead the charge toward food sovereignty in their communities. These students represent the next generation of farmers, scientists, innovators, and advocates—visionaries committed to ensuring that fresh, healthy food is a right, not a privilege.

Emerald Plate programs teach more than gardening or business skills. They nurture life skills like teamwork and responsibility, foster entrepreneurship rooted in community need, build nutrition literacy for lifelong health, and inspire civic engagement that drives lasting change.

When we invest in our youth through the Emerald Plate, we’re not just planting seeds in soil—we’re planting seeds of justice, equity, and opportunity. Together, we can grow a future where every young person knows they have the power to feed their community and shape its future.

Let’s grow something extraordinary—one plate, one garden, one leader at a time.

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Initiative Ideas:

• Youth Hydroponic Gardening Clubs – Teach students to grow fresh produce indoors using hydroponic systems, introducing them to modern, sustainable agriculture techniques.  ​

• ​​Cooking & Nutrition Camps – Host week-long or weekend camps where youth learn to prepare healthy meals, explore cultural food traditions, and understand the link between diet and overall wellness.

• Black Farmers Speaker Series – Invite local and regional Black farmers, agricultural entrepreneurs, and food justice advocates to share their stories, skills, and career pathways.

• HBCU AgriGrants – Offer mini-grants to HBCU students in agricultural studies to support research, internships, or community-based food projects.

• Youth-Led Farmer’s Markets – Empower students to grow, market, and sell their own produce while developing business, leadership, and customer service skills.

• School Garden to Table Programs – Connect school gardens with cafeterias to supply fresh produce and involve students in the entire food cycle.

• Community Seed Banks – Establish youth-run seed libraries to preserve heritage crops and encourage home gardening.

• Agri-Tech Workshops – Introduce young people to technology in agriculture, from drones and sensors to data-driven farming solutions.

• Food Justice & Civic Engagement Projects – Partner with local organizations to educate youth on food policy and advocacy, equipping them to address hunger and inequity.