VINES receives $100,000 grant to expand Grow Binghamton Youth Program

More Binghamton teens will have an opportunity to work at Volunteers Helping Neighborhood Environments (VINES) Urban Farm this summer thanks to a $100,000 grant which will expand the program.

At a press conference Wednesday morning, Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham was joined by VINES Executive Director Amelia LoDolce, members of the board and volunteers. Kraham announced the City of Binghamton grant which will expand VINES youth employment program, Grow Binghamton.

"Grow Binghamton not only provides meaningful employment, but also increases food access to low income residents," said Kraham. "It is part of an unprecedented investment we have been making in youth services all across the City of Binghamton, investing in Binghamton's youth for its future."

What is VINES Urban Farm?

VINES Urban Farm was created in 2010, with the goal of providing "healthy, affordable food to local residents" and fighting urban blight in downtown Binghamton.

In 2018, Federal Emergency Management Agency funding was used by Binghamton to purchase properties in flood-prone neighborhoods, including many near the urban farm.

VINES has leased this Tudor Street property from the city, which increased the size of the urban farm from half an acre to 2.25 acres. This expansion, along with the grant announced Wednesday, have allowed VINES to expand their youth program, and will allow continued growth.

More: Binghamton is giving $300K to support urban farming: Here's how it will be used

What is Grow Binghamton?

Grow Binghamton is a summer employment program for Binghamton teens and young adults ages 14 to 21. The program has employed over 130 young people since 2010.

Members help grow food at the Urban Farm and distribute it to residents in need.

The funding is part of Binghamton's $1 million youth fund, which was established by Kraham in 2022 using Binghamton's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation.

According to Kraham, the expansion of the program will serve as a great opportunity for young people, and will also positively impact Binghamton communities in need.

More: Markets of Broome tool will brings together five local farmers markets in Broome County

"As part of the employment program, the youth participate in every aspect of food production, from starting seeds in a greenhouse to harvesting, washing and packaging the food for distribution, as well as building critical life skills — learning about local food systems, creating greater food security for Binghamton residents." said Kraham. "For some of these kids, it is going to be their first job, giving them those life skills they can use to succeed in their future endeavors.

LoDolce said the funds will help VINES build capacity for the youth program both in the short and long term, creating new positions and expanding opportunities.

"The number of Grow Binghamton positions that we are able to provide at this point really is limited just by our administrative and supervisory capacity," said LoDolce. "By investing ARPA dollars into these positions, we are going to help address those limitations to pave the way for more youth employment opportunities in the future."

The grant will allow the hiring of two new Youth Program Assistants under the age of 25, as well as expanding a part-time administrative role to full-time. According to LoDolce, the program will continue to expand given community needs, and this grant is an instrumental part of the program's continued success.

This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Binghamton youth boost: How VINES will expand employment opportunities