Youth Farm Stand

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.....The Youth Farm Stand is a community-based food system that teaches students to grow, process, prepare and sell fresh produce. At Holmes Academy, our students are learning to grow food organically without chemicals or artificial pesticides. Our students are constructing an “off grid” (all of the system’s electrical needs are supplied by solar energy) aquaponic system that will produce 75 pounds of produce and over 10 pounds of fish each month. Using this and other agricultural techniques our students are growing safe, healthy food that can provide support for our school, promote healthy lifestyles, and encourage environmental stewardship.

.....At Holmes Academy this program is part of 21st Century Bridges to the Future after-school program. It is It is funded by a grant from the Kellogg Foundation, and admistered through the Genesee County Intermediate School District, with collaboration from the C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Systems at Michigan State University.

.....Brian Johns, our Youth Farm Stand Program teacher, is a transplant from Southern California and a sixth-generation farmer. Mr. Johns is dedicated to creating new opportunities in agriculture, food production, and sustainability by bridging the best of traditional soil farming methods with cutting edge hydroponic and aquaponic technologies.

.....While actively part of the Flint community and the creation of its local food systems, Mr. Johns is also developing self-contained food systems that can be deployed in under-developed countries as reliable sources of safe, healthy, and sustainable food.

.....Brian and his wife, Becky, are residents of Flint’s College Cultural Neighborhood where they live with their children – Sara, Stephen, McKenna, Marissa, and Noah.

Contacts

Brian Johns

Farming Teacher

email me

Jonique Donald

Bridges to the Future

Site Coordinator

email me

Office Hours

10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.
also available by appointment

(810) 760-4841

6602 Oxley Dr.
Flint, MI 48504

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