With Leadership St. Pete, St. Pete Youth Farm unveils new kitchen, event space

People on a farm
Photo courtesy St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce

Two of St. Pete’s most impactful organizations joined forces this spring, and today they unveiled the fruits (literal, in this case) of their combined labor. Leadership St. Pete and the St. Pete Youth Farm had a ribbon cutting this Wednesday for the new kitchen and massive upgrades the outdoor seating and event spaces.

The St. Pete Youth Farm is one of the city’s most meaningful organizations, not only helping to provide fresh and healthy produce in South St. Pete, but educating and developing the city’s children as they learn invaluable life skills. The renovation and completion of the new kitchen and outdoor event space will allow the Youth Farm to expand both its educational and community curricula. The kitchen provides opportunities for children and volunteers to learn, while also giving them the ability to host large community and private events and dinners.

People on a farm
Photo courtesy St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce

The updates to the outdoor areas included the installation of new waterproof sails to provide shading, the leveling of the ground, and improvements to the farm’s multi-use areas – all done by the 2024 Leadership St. Pete class as part of their “Sprouting Success” class project. Altogether, this year’s LSP class raised more than $50,000 to go toward the updates, while they also put in the man hours to construct and complete the renovations. Much of the work went into enhancing the main gathering space with comfortable, permanent seating for community members during training, workshops, and other events held at the farm.

The star of those renovations, of course, is the updated kitchen, prep area, and event space, which includes a new butcher block, a wood-fired oven, and additional storage areas. St. Pete Youth Farm anticipates expanded programming utilizing the additions, including cooking classes, educational experiences, and other culinary-themed events.

People working on a farm
Photo courtesy St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce

“At St. Pete Youth Farm, everything we do is in support of the community we serve. We are humbled to have been selected as the 2024 Leadership St. Pete ® class project,” said Carla Bristol, Collaboration Manager at St. Pete Youth Farm. “We’re familiar with prior LSP class projects and the rippling effects their contributions produce. We know their ability to transform spaces, impact function, and better fulfill an organization’s mission. Coincidentally, this project will be completed just before our 5th anniversary, and will no doubt elevate the way we serve our community. We affirm the indelible legacy this project will leave for our teens and community!”

Leadership St. Pete develops future city leaders

Leadership St. Pete, which is now on its 55th class, is one of the oldest leadership programs in America and exists as a division of the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and its 501(c)(3) Foundation. The six-month program is a dynamic, intensive and interactive experience designed to promote and enhance community leadership through an in-depth introduction to social, economic, business and political issues in the St. Petersburg area.

Made possible through the support of the Chamber’s community partners, the mission of LSP is to identify, recruit and develop leaders who represent the diversity of the city and who will assume future leadership roles in the community.

ADVERTISEMENT

Subscribe Now

Don’t miss out on All Things Good in the Burg 👉
👇 GET UPDATES 👇

Stay connected to All Things Good in the Burg by subscribing today.