Green Market Gardener class filled over capacity

YOUNGSTOWN

The Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp. has launched its Lots of Green Market Gardener Training program and will have its first class Saturday.

The program has been filled beyond capacity after an overwhelming response, showing the groundswell of interest in urban farming in Youngstown, said Presley Gillespie, the YNDC executive director. 

The program was available to 25 residents, and received over 45 applications.

The program, funded by the Ohio EPA Environmental Education Fund and presented in collaboration with the Ohio State University Extension of the Mahoning Valley, will train prospective urban farmers in environmental and business aspects of sustainable market gardening.

The course will run for through May 7.

Participants who complete the 10-week training program will receive assistance in finding further agricultural opportunities and will be provided with space at a market garden incubator site, Gillespie said.