Rooftop Gardens
YSS Rooftop Gardens
Rooftop Gardens will offer an apprenticeship program for young adults who are at-risk or experiencing homelessness.
Leafy Greens
Rooftop Gardens features six hydroponic Freight Farms within a state-of-the-art greenhouse. In its first year, the gardens will cultivate romaine lettuce.
Rooftop Gardens provides vital apprenticeship opportunities, helping participants gain valuable employment experience while promoting access to healthy, locally-grown foods and essential nutrition education.
YSS Rooftop Gardens is an innovative program in Des Moines designed to support at-risk youth and those experiencing homelessness. This initiative provides vital apprenticeship opportunities, helping participants gain valuable employment experience while promoting access to healthy, locally-grown foods and essential nutrition education.
Helping youth grow
The youth served by Iowa Homeless Youth Centers (IHYC), a YSS organization, often face significant barriers to employment, such as the lack of a resume or previous job experience. YSS Rooftop Gardens aims to break this cycle of poverty by offering guided work experience and meaningful employment.
About the gardens
Located at 2705 E. Euclid Avenue, YSS Rooftop Gardens features six hydroponic Freight Farms® within a state-of-the-art greenhouse. In its first year, the gardens will cultivate romaine lettuce. Each cohort of youth will undergo a six-month apprenticeship, earning livable wages and bonuses.
Check out the first harvest of romaine lettuce.
Hear from Carlie, a Rooftop Gardens participant.
Support us
You can help youth grow by investing in YSS Rooftop Gardens. Contact Samanthya Marlatt at 515-249-6927 to learn more.
