Jade Brannon, a vibrant young leader from the United States, is making waves in her community with her innovative Grassroots Compost Project. Last year during this time she was one of 17 recognized with a special NGFP-YV 2023 SDG Recognition Award for her work addressing SDG 1: No Poverty, Jade's project focuses on sharing composting knowledge with families to create strong grassroots initiatives.
This past year, Jade's commitment to positive change led her to participate in Teach the Future's Young Voices Network mentoring opportunity. This experience has undoubtedly contributed to her growth as a young leader and helped shape her impactful project. Jade's passion for sustainability and community engagement is set to shine at the upcoming Harvest Farm Festival, taking place from October 25-27, 2024 at Brookside Ranch in Tyler, Texas. This free, family-friendly event promises a weekend full of fun, learning, and giving back to local farms and families.
The festival, co-sponsored by Central Youth Academy (CYA) and Grassroots Childcare Cooperative, will feature a wide array of activities including:
- Live performances
- Farming workshops
- Hayrides and a petting zoo
- Carnival games and arts & crafts
- Cooking classes and storytelling
- Camping opportunities and a silent auction
As a featured young leader, Jade will likely have the opportunity to share her composting knowledge and inspire other youth to take action in their communities. Her project exemplifies how small, local initiatives can contribute to larger sustainability goals and poverty reduction efforts.
The Harvest Farm Festival also offers various participation options for community members and organizations, from vendor booths to VIP camping packages. This inclusive approach ensures that people from all walks of life can engage with sustainable farming practices and community-building activities.
Jade's story reminds us that age is no barrier to making a positive impact. Her dedication to sharing knowledge about composting not only helps reduce waste but also empowers families to create their own sustainable practices. As we look forward to the Harvest Farm Festival, we're excited to see how Jade and other young leaders will continue to inspire and drive change in their communities.
For those interested in supporting this exciting event or learning more about Jade's project, be sure to scan to code for the Harvest Farm Festival and keep an eye out for updates on Jade's continuing work in sustainability and community development.
Some words from Jade herself in this mini interview:
1. What inspired you to start your Grassroots Compost Project?
-My mom inspired me to start a composting project because we started a garden but then we realized that we needed better soil then store bought soil.😁
2. Can you tell us about a fun experience you had while teaching families about composting?
-The fun experience that I had when I was teaching families about composting was when they had to find the materials for composting outside.
3. What was your favorite part of participating in the Young Voices Network mentoring program?
-My favorite part of participating in the Young Voices Network mentoring my program was when I was talking about composting and sharing knowledge to people that didn't know how to compost.
4. How do you think composting can help fight poverty in your community?
-I think that composting can help fight poverty in my community because everyone can't keep on going to grocery stores to get fruits and vegetables with chemicals on them but everyone can grow their own food with their compost.
5. What are you most excited about for the upcoming Harvest Farm Festival?
-I am very excited about the upcoming Harvest Farm Festival because I will be sharing to families more facts about composting.😁
6. If you could teach one composting tip to every kid your age, what would it be?
-One composting tip that I would share would be what things you should or shouldn't put in your compost so you don't mess up your compost.
7. How has winning the NGFP-YV 2023 SDG Recognition Award made you feel?
-When I won the NGFP-YV 2023 SDG Recognized Award I felt very happy and accomplished.
8. What's the coolest thing you've learned about farming or sustainability this year?
-The coolest thing that I learned about farming or sustainability this year was what animals are good to be on land and what not.
9. Do you have any advice for other kids who want to start their own community projects?
-One piece of advice for others who start their own community projects would be to always believe and have leadership.
10. What do you enjoy most about making baking videos, and has that helped with your composting project in any way?
-What I enjoy most about making baking videos that helped with my composting project in any way would be the eggs that I have in the videos because those eggs are from my chickens and it helps with my compost.
11. How do you balance your interests in cheerleading, video games, and hair styling with your work on the Grassroots Compost Project?
-How I balance my interests in my work is to work hard enough to do everything that I want to do.
12. If you could add one new activity to the Harvest Farm Festival, what would it be and why?
-One new activity to the Harvest Farm Festival would be making compost because more families can learn more about compost so they can take it home and use it for a garden.