An Innovative Approach To Ending Food Insecurity in Minnesota

More news like this, please. I want all of the news to be like this. Good people teaching kids to help people in need.

Meet Marcus Carpenter: founder of Route 1: a resource hub that introduces farming to people, and then farmers to the people. And he's helping future generations learn farming skills now.

Marcus Carpenter (Route 1 via YouTube)

Marcus Carpenter is a fourth-generation farmer who grew up in Arkansas, and now resides in Minnesota. He named his organization Route 1 after the old dirt road that his great-grandmother Sally bought in 1914.

It's an early-20th century name for an organization teaching 21st century sustainable farming to today's youth.

The program I'll highlight is called Seeds to Success Youth Academy, which is described on Route 1's website as: "...provid[ing] hands-on agricultural education combined with leadership and community engagement." This program aims to help kids who are struggling in school find a positive alternative to flunking out.

Want to keep kids out of trouble? Teach them a trade that helps others. I implore you to read the success story about Anthony Rasmussen.

Food Insecurity in Minnesota

1 in 15 Minnesotans experience food insecurity; of that number, 1 in 4 are people of color. Most of the students in this year's Seeds to Success Youth Academy come from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Variety is the Delicious Spice of Life

It's not just the usual crops being cultivated: Carpenter also incorporates African crops that tolerate Minnesota's weather and soil. Outstanding.

Learn more about Route 1 - and how you can donate to the program - on their website.

H/T: Good News Network

Tips for newbies that are going to the Minnesota State Fair

If you've never been to the Minnesota State Fair and are thinking THIS is the year you are going to test out the fair foods for the first time, check out these tips from seasoned fairgoers!

Gallery Credit: Jessica On The Radio

Categories: Causes We Like, Minnesota