The Growing Young Farmers Society was founded in 2011 and became a registered charity in 2013. Our mission is to provide hands-on, land-based learning opportunities for youth and new entrant farmers focused on food production, soil health, ecosystem function, and biodiversity.

We believe that meaningful, practical experience with growing food builds ecological literacy, strengthens food awareness, and supports a more resilient and locally grounded food system. By connecting people directly with how food is produced, we aim to foster long-term stewardship of land and stronger community understanding of agriculture.

From 2011–2022, the Society delivered in-school gardening programs, supporting students in learning food production skills and maintaining school gardens, along with seasonal camps.

In 2023, the organization transitioned away from school garden management and shifted its programming to outdoor, farm-based learning. Since then, Growing Young Farmers has partnered with the Sandown Centre for Regenerative Agriculture in North Saanich, BC to deliver hands-on educational programs on a working farm.

Since 2024, students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 have participated in field-based learning at the Sandown Learning Farm, exploring soil health, food systems, and plant and insect lifecycles. Young and emerging farmers are also trained at the Farm, gaining practical skills to support sustainable farming on their own operations or other farms, while helping pass on knowledge and experience to the next generation through on-farm education and field trips.

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