25-07-2025
Project GROWS' youth leadership program has been 'heart changing' for some area teens
Camila Cruz and Leah Cook applied at the same time for the Youth Leader in Agriculture program at Project GROWS this summer. The Fort Defiance High School students weren't sure what to expect, but thought it would be a good first summer job.
Cook is interested in plants and even took a horticulture class in school. She wanted to spend the summer working outdoors. Cruz has no background in agriculture and, until this summer, no real interest in it.
"This is completely new to me," said Cruz, who will be a junior this coming year. "We didn't know what to expect, but it's been heart-changing almost what we've been able to complete in the last two months."
Breaking ground in 2012, Project GROWS is a nonprofit with a focus on food education and food access as solutions to improving long-term health and food security. The farm is located just outside of Verona on Berry Farm Road.
Youth Leaders in Agriculture is an eight-week program for high school students in Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County. The paid summer farm job helps teenagers interested in learning more about a variety of topics related to farming and sustainable agriculture. But it's more than just that.
Reh Franklin is the coordinator of the program.
"They spend eight weeks here on the farm not only developing acuity with farm tasks and farm skills, but also professional development and leadership," said Franklin. "We take them on workshops and field trips so they get exposed to different methods of agriculture. And we have exploration days where we hone interviewing skills, resume building, giving and receiving professional feedback. Then they take those skills and apply them to the work we do on the farm."
There is also peer-to-peer mentorship, where students have the opportunity to lead one another on various tasks. If they return a second season they can apply to be an assistant crew leader and, if they return a third year, crew leader.
"They're not only receiving directions but they're giving them and leading groups of people from as young as 6 all the way up to 60 years old in all facets of what happens here at Project GROWS" Franklin said.
Evan Braun, who will be a senior at Fort this fall, returned for his third year at Project GROWS, where he's a crew leader this summer. He got started in the program when his older sister applied. She would come home and talk about the experience, which intrigued Braun. He wasn't particularly interested in agriculture, but he did like one aspect the job offered.
"I just wanted an outdoor job that wasn't sitting in a convenience store or something like that," he said. "I applied here and now, three years later, I'm a crew leader here; I have my own garden at home. I enjoy it."
As an organic farm, Project GROWS doesn't use pesticides. That means there is a lot of weeding that needs to be done. It's not necessarily Braun's favorite task, but he understands it's part of the job. No pesticides also means bug control falls to those working the gardens.
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"We squish potato beetles and do all the interesting things to help our plants grow best," Braun said.
The part of the job he enjoys most is harvesting. The group gathers crops on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. On Thursdays, they help out the Waynesboro Educational Farm behind Berkeley Glenn Elementary School.
Braun puts in 32 hours a week, showing up at 7 a.m. most days.
The group also helps with Project GROWS' mobile market.
"It was so cool," said Cook. "I loved seeing the people's faces when they got the fresh produce. It was such a cool experience. I never thought with getting this job that would come with it."
The Youth Leaders in Agriculture program runs from June to July each year and the pay starts at $13.50/hour. Applicants must attend an Augusta County, Staunton, or Waynesboro school and be available to work 20 to 30 hours a week.
"A lot of the students when they first start have never set foot on a farm before," Franklin said. "So they're a little nervous and they're a little shy and they're not exactly sure what they're getting into. The first couple of days can be a shock to their system too, being out in the hot sun all day long. But as we grow not just the produce, but as a team, they learn to develop an appreciation for what's happening on the farm."
The program is supported by the Tess Majors Foundation, Waynesboro Public Schools, Augusta County Public Schools, and Staunton High School's mentorship program.
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Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips are always welcome. Connect with Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@ and on Instagram @hitepatrick. Subscribe to us at
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Teens develop leadership skills through Project GROWS' summer program
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