Growing more than food
Growing more than food
CFAES and Highland Youth Garden cultivate community and opportunity
Highland Youth Garden welcomes neighbors with free produce. Photos by James Davis
For Jed Dearing and his 5-year-old son, Llewyn, who are regulars at the garden, the space has become much more than a source of fresh produceBy Tracy Turner
COLUMBUS, Ohio — It’s a sunny autumn afternoon at the Highland Youth Garden, and the air is filled with laughter, the thumping rhythm of a double Dutch rope, and the soft sounds of music. Clusters of children weave through vibrant rows of garden beds, some pausing to make floral wreaths or take turns at a piñata, while others eagerly explore the garden’s many hidden delights.
Parents and community members mingle, accepting bags of fresh vegetables and fruits grown on-site. The garden is a welcomed addition to this Hilltop neighborhood, which struggles with food insecurity and limited green spaces.
For families such as Jed Dearing and his 5-year-old son, Llewyn, who are regulars at the garden, the space has become much more than a source of fresh produce.
“The garden is making a huge impact in our neighborhood,” said Dearing, who lives in the West Side neighborhood. “It’s not just beautifying the area; it’s giving our community exposure to fresh, healthy food. I really appreciate Ohio State’s investment here.”
The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) has been a vital partner in Highland Youth Garden’s growth, providing expertise, resources, and volunteers through Ohio State University Extension, the outreach arm of CFAES.
Photo by James DavisThe garden’s mission — to educate youth about agriculture while improving access to fresh food — aligns with CFAES’ broader efforts to expand urban farming across Ohio’s cities, offer STEM education, and foster economic opportunities for urban communities.
CFAES’ broader efforts in urban agriculture
CFAES has long promoted urban agriculture in Ohio, particularly in cities such as Columbus, Cleveland, Toledo, and Dayton, where fresh food access is a critical need. Through OSU Extension programs and Master Gardener Volunteer training, the college has inspired many to engage in urban food production.
According to Mike Hogan, OSU Extension educator and CFAES faculty member, these initiatives have built a growing network of urban farmers dedicated to addressing food insecurity and revitalizing neighborhoods.
The impact of these programs is visible across Columbus, where urban farms have flourished.
“About nine years ago, Columbus had about five urban farms,” Hogan noted. “Now, there are more than 100 urban gardens throughout the city. Entrepreneurs have benefited from starting farm businesses, and neighborhoods have gained access to fresh, healthy foods.”
This expansion is particularly meaningful in Ohio, where 12.8% of households faces food insecurity, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Urban agriculture addresses these challenges and provides opportunities for economic enterprise, community building, and job training.
Kids enjoying the day during the Highland Youth Garden Fall FestivalBuilding a foundation for STEM and agriculture education
Agriculture is more than planting seeds; it’s an avenue for teaching science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) principles embedded in everyday life. For Yolanda Owens, CFAES’ pathways and partnerships strategist, connecting students to agriculture is crucial for fostering a new generation of innovators.
“A lot of people don’t realize that agriculture is science,” Owens said. “When kids learn how STEM concepts apply to real-world scenarios like growing food, they grasp these ideas in a much deeper way.”
Owens, who also serves on the board of Highland Youth Garden, has been instrumental in linking the garden’s programs to CFAES resources. Her work includes facilitating visits to Waterman Agricultural and Natural Resources Laboratory on the Ohio State Columbus campus, where students learn about controlled environment agriculture, and connecting young people with agricultural career opportunities.
The impact of these initiatives is already visible. In the midst of an urban landscape dominated by concrete, the garden offers a rare glimpse into the natural world, and it’s sparking interests that could last a lifetime.
“When students can see it, they can be it,” Owens said. “Some participants have even applied to CFAES for degrees in animal sciences, inspired by their experiences here.”
“When students can see it, they can be it,” Owens said. “Some participants have even applied to CFAES for degrees in animal sciences, inspired by their experiences here”Yolanda Owens
Addressing food insecurity while empowering youth
The Hilltop neighborhood where the garden sits is a known food desert, meaning access to fresh produce is limited. However, activists such as Owens prefer the term “food apartheid,” noting that access to fresh food is limited because of historical and systemic inequities.
For parents such as Brian Pierce, whose two elementary-aged children, Briland and Raelynn, regularly participate in garden activities, the garden is a breath of fresh air — literally and figuratively.
“It’s something great,” Pierce said, as he watched his children dart around the garden. “It gets the kids outside, away from video games. They’re having fun, meeting other kids, and learning how to grow vegetables. It builds up your spirit in the neighborhood.”
Highland Youth Garden tackles food insecurity head-on by teaching youth how to grow culturally relevant crops and distribute the harvest throughout the community. Last year alone, the garden donated thousands of pounds of produce to local families.
Sara Moya, a 2024 CFAES graduate and environmental educator at the garden.“The inclusive environment fosters conversations about food justice,” said Sara Moya, a 2024 CFAES graduate and environmental educator at the garden. “We empower local youth to participate in agricultural practices, fostering self-sufficiency and resilience.”
Moya’s journey to the Highland Youth Garden began when she was a geography student at Ohio State, studying maps and landscapes from afar. But after witnessing the effects of food scarcity during the pandemic, she felt called to make a more direct impact. Inspired by her time at the garden, she switched her major to agricultural communication, education, and leadership in CFAES.
“That decision opened my eyes to urban agriculture and the ways it can transform communities,” she explained. Now, as a CFAES graduate, Moya is putting her education to work as an environmental educator at Highland Youth Garden, where she shares her knowledge and passion with the next generation.
CFAES’ longstanding support and impact
CFAES’ collaboration with Highland Youth Garden is just one example of the college’s extensive urban agriculture initiatives. Through the Franklin County Master Gardener Volunteers program, the college has been involved with nearly 70 community garden projects in the area, donating tens of thousands of pounds of produce annually to food pantries.
“Our hope is that Highland Youth Garden serves as a model for what can happen when universities and communities work together”Shelly Casto
“Master Gardener Volunteers play a critical role by volunteering, teaching, and supporting the garden,” said Hogan. “Before the garden had a director, Master Gardeners led grant proposals to fund its growth and development.”
Today, CFAES continues to provide invaluable support, from remediating soil problems to developing youth educational programs.
“Our goal is not just to address emergency food needs, but to build a sustainable and equitable local food system,” Hogan said. “We want to empower communities to grow their own food and reduce their dependence on emergency food programs.”
Shelly Casto, Highland Youth Garden executive director, highlights the importance of this ongoing partnership.
“CFAES has been with us from the beginning, providing the resources and expertise we needed to grow,” Casto said. “Whether it’s remediating soil, guiding us on gardening techniques, or helping us develop our educational programs, Ohio State has been a constant source of support. Our hope is that Highland Youth Garden serves as a model for what can happen when universities and communities work together.”
Nande Gilbert, manager of school and teen programs for the Highland Youth Garden, paints a student’s face during the Fall FestivalA model for other communities
With the growth of community gardens throughout Columbus and other urban areas, CFAES envisions cities where each neighborhood garden could serve as an education hub and a source of local pride.
“Imagine if every community garden focused on serving its surrounding area like Highland Youth Garden does,” Owens said. “It would transform not just individual neighborhoods, but the entire city.”
As CFAES continues working to advance urban agriculture and STEM education, communities throughout Columbus and beyond are beginning to see what’s possible. Programs such as the Highland Youth Garden serve as a model, illustrating the positive impact of connecting education, food production, and community building — one garden at a time.
