Hello PFSN family! My name is Michael Varlotta. I am an FAO Fellow at The Food Trust, and new member of the network. I recently graduated from Oberlin College, and am now working as a Farm to School Educator and Youth Leadership Facilitator. For the next two years, I will be a part of the communications team, sharing news and resources related to farm to school. I am excited to be here and to learn more about the great work you all do!
On October 9th, 2024, Morris Arboretum and Gardens hosted their 13th Annual Outdoor Career Symposium: Leadership in a Changing Climate. This event brought together 60 students from 3 Philadelphia CTE (Career & Technical Education) high schools: Saul, Lankenau and the U School.
All of the participants were student leaders invested in environmental sustainability and were given the opportunity to talk with eight community organizations in this field.
In attendance were Farm Philly, The Food Trust, PA Sea Grant, PA Outdoor Corps, Philadelphia Food Advisory Council/FNC Farms, Sunrise Movement Philadelphia, Penn Sustainability and Philadelphia Outward Bound School.
The organizations were set up in the Arboretum’s beautiful outdoor space, and engaged in discussions about the work they do, the students’ interests, and resources and opportunities for them to get involved. Each student was very passionate, curious, and comfortable in these conversations, and it was amazing to hear about what they were involved with.
Students engaging in conversation with community partners.
For example, students at Saul talked about the Horticulture, Natural Resource Management, and Animal Science programs offered at their school of Agricultural Science. The following is from their website, which shares more on this:
In addition to traditional college-prep classes, students at Saul get involved throughout the 55-acre campus–including a working dairy barn, greenhouses, pastures, small animal facilities and a seasonal farm stand–exploring agriculture through hands-on experiences.
It was clear that these programs had a powerful impact on these students. We heard from individuals who wanted to start their own greenhouses, work their own farms, and pursue marine biology and ecotherapy, just to name a few.
Students participating in leadership exercises.
This was a day of much more than just networking—it was a celebration of youth leadership and the bright future of environmental sustainability. Events like these underscore the importance of providing young leaders with opportunities to explore their passions, ask questions, and envision the impact they can have on the world around them. It is a reminder that we must actively work to center their voices, experiences, and accomplishments.