USDA: Urban Youth Loan Borrower Grows Lettuce and a Passion for Hydroponics

Did you know the the USDA Farm Service Agency provides opportunities for young entrepreneurs to acquire experience and education in agriculture-related skills. These loans provide up to $5,000 for people 10 to 20 years old. Youth loans can be used to start and operate income-producing projects of modest size and are available to members of 4-H clubs, FFA, a Tribal youth group, or similar agricultural youth organizations.

Read the full article on farmers.gov by Shantelle Turner, FSA

“This Friday meet Trinity Waguespack, an 11-year-old urban farmer in Lafayette, Louisiana. When she’s not tackling her schoolwork, Trinity is busy growing lettuce in her three hydroponic garden towers. Through precision agriculture and artificial intelligence technology, the towers notify her when the lettuce needs water, even when she’s at swim practice. “

“What started as a sixth-grade project with one seed turned into several household grown plants and a newfound interest in agriculture, giving Trinity the opportunity to grow lettuce for her family and friends. Despite not having farm experience, Trinity decided to try something new last summer and discovered her passion for hydroponics, a technique that uses a water-based nutrient solution rather than soil to grow plants. “