‘Entrepreneurship through agriculture.’ BoysGrow teaches teens in KC area life skills

Every farm grows something, but the BoysGrow farm in south Kansas City is focused on more than just tomatoes and chickens. It’s growing responsible young men.

This year’s summer program segment kicked off June 8. The program is designed to teach teenage boys agricultural skills and also give them a first job experience in an environment where it’s OK to make mistakes.

“Our mission statement is entrepreneurship through agriculture,” said John Gordon Jr., executive director.

“They’ll learn a lot of the basics on what it means to have a first job: showing up to work on time, working with others. We try to teach them how to run a small business — create products, see the supply chain, and let the boys not only see it but be a part of it.”

The two-year program takes in a new class of 13- and 14-year-old boys each year from all over the metro area. During the summer, those 20 boys, plus another 20 with a year’s experience under their belts, work three days a week on the farm. When it’s not summertime, they meet twice a month to learn various business skills and talk about topics such as nutrition and healthy lifestyles.

Because it is their first job and not a summer camp, the boys also get paid.

Although everyone does some farming, the bulk of their responsibilities are on whatever crew they’re assigned. That might be construction, culinary arts, landscaping or farming.

Carrots, beets, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, tomatoes and lettuce are grown on the farm. The boys also raise chickens and turkeys.

“When we started I didn’t really realize how much the boys would bond and become a family,” Gordon said.

In addition to working on the farm, the boys create products with the food, such as agave ketchup and jalapeno honey mustard, and do demos in grocery stores. They also sell their produce to local restaurants.

“Initially, one of the biggest challenges is getting the kids to step out of their comfort zone. … The older boys mentor the younger kids; it’s not just staff and adults telling them what to do,” Gordon said.

In terms of responsibility, “not losing a tool, not leaving your shovel in the field is probably one of the hardest things to grasp,” Gordon said.

This year’s pandemic situation has not stopped the program but it has led to some restrictions. Instead of taking a bus together to the farm, the boys have to get themselves there. There are temperature checks and mandatory handwashing, with a general no-contact policy. When they sit down to talk, it’s always outside.

Olathe resident Kaleb Dohrman, 13, just started with BoysGrow this month. Even after full days working in the summer heat, he’s always ready to go back to the farm. One thing he really likes is the social aspect.

“At the end of the day, we get to talk about how to grow your own business and talk about how our day was and how our week was,” Kaleb said.

So far, he’s worked on grouting tile, picking berries, collecting eggs and mulching trees.

Fifteen-year-old Zion Mabin of Lee’s Summit said the role models he’s met in BoysGrow have helped him understand how to be responsible and make a positive work environment.

“You have respect for your brother, as in we’ll be working in the field, and we are one,” Zion said. “You might like the person next to you, but in the end we’re coworkers and we have to get the job done. I figured it would be kind of a lone job. I was surprised there was that much of a bond with a lot of my coworkers.”

His experience meeting and working with new people at BoysGrow helped him when he started at a new school last year.

“You bounce off of each other. You bounce back and forth ideas, and this makes you stronger, so then you’re ready for the school year or any situation. You know how to properly react,” Zion said.

Being part of the construction team at BoysGrow has allowed Lee’s Summit resident Jameson Love, 15, a chance to expand his interest in mechanics.

“I’ve wanted to work with cars for a long time. They’re teaching me how to work with engines and tools to take apart and fix a car,” Jameson said.

“I’ve never been very good at getting things done on time or at all. At BoysGrow, you do everything you can to the best of your ability and you get it done. … I find myself more easily able to start things with the knowledge that I’m getting this done.”

Jameson also appreciated the chance to get out of his usual bubble.

“I got introduced to cultures I hadn’t even thought about before or seen before. I think the first time I heard rap music was about a year ago, after I joined BoysGrow,” Jameson said. “It opens your eyes. You are able to look at things from other people’s perspectives. I think it increases your empathy.”

This story was originally published June 26, 2020 at 7:00 AM with the headline "‘Entrepreneurship through agriculture.’ BoysGrow teaches teens in KC area life skills."