Walnut Way grows produce, leaders
Program allows students to learn about urban agriculture
Benjamin Johnson believes that selling collard greens, peppers and lemonade helps him become a better leader.
He’s part of the Growing Youth Leadership Program at Walnut Way Conservation Corp., a Lindsay Heights-based community group.
On a recent afternoon, Johnson, 18, and others from the group held a farmers market at Milwaukee City Hall, offering workers and the public some healthy options, including collard greens, peppers, cherries, pepper and peach jam and pear preserves.
The market also included garden plants and Youth Leadership T-shirts.
The colorful assortment of fresh produce — along with the good prices — drew in customers. Collard greens were $4 a pound, peppers $2 and cherry lemonade $3.
“Young people seeing economic opportunities. I think it’s important,” said one of the first customers, Sam Coleman, chief of staff for Common Council President Ashanti Hamilton.
The Growing Youth Leadership Program is a summer internship for youth centered around urban agriculture, education, leadership development and job training, the group says. Three high schoolers are program interns this summer, led by Johnson, a former intern.
Participants plant, grow and harvest the fruits and vegetables in gardens on the Walnut Way campus. The group sells its wares at outlets like the Fondy Farmers Market and the visit to City Hall.
Young people in the program also attend weekly learning labs and participate in other community service projects. They have the option of remaining in the program until the end of the growing season in October, said Walnut Way spokeswoman Erica Heisdorf Bisquerra.
Johnson said he’s learned the importance of neighborhoods, communities, a strong work ethic and helping those around him.
“I hope to become a better leader,” he said.
Founded in 2000, Walnut Way has restored and rehabilitated homes and transformed vacant lots into gardens and orchards.
In addition to the youth leadership internship, other programs include yoga wellness classes, the Women’s Healing Circle and the Men’s Wellness Network.