Key Takeaways:

1. Urban Agriculture as a Teaching Tool: Teens for Food Justice uses hydroponic farming to educate and empower youth, integrating STEM education with lessons in social justice and community engagement.

2. Understanding Food Inequity: The shift in dialogue from "food deserts" to "food apartheid" highlights the systemic nature of food inequity, which TFFJ addresses by making fresh food accessible in underserved areas.

3. Resilience and Community Support: Katherine Soll's journey emphasizes resilience and the importance of building a supportive community to nurture young leaders in the fight against food insecurity.

4. Industry Engagement: There's a call for the vertical farming industry to engage with educational programs, providing young people with experiences and pathways into sustainable agriculture careers.

5. Strategic Expansion: TFFJ's growth illustrates the potential for hydroponic education programs to impact more communities, emphasizing the importance of strategic planning and community needs assessment.

In a recent episode of the Vertical Farming podcast, host Harry Duran sits down with Katherine Soll, a pivotal figure in urban agriculture, to discuss her journey from a lifelong New Yorker to the founder and CEO of Teens for Food Justice (TFFJ). Through her narrative, Soll not only highlights the transformative power of hydroponic farms in addressing food inequity but also emphasizes the growth it fosters within young minds and communities.

The Path to Food Justice

Katherine Soll’s story begins in New York City, where her deep roots and early exposure to diverse cultures and independent living shaped her understanding of the world. Her passion for addressing food insecurity and her innovative approach to urban agriculture through TFFJ illustrate a profound commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders in the fight against what she describes as food apartheid.

Hydroponics: The Future of Urban Farming

A significant focus of the interview is on hydroponic farming—a soilless cultivation technique that TFFJ utilizes to educate and empower youth in underserved communities. Soll elaborates on the technical and educational benefits of hydroponics, emphasizing its efficiency in urban settings and its role in integrating STEM education with social justice.

The Role of Community and Resilience

Soll’s narrative is a testament to resilience, community building, and the importance of hands-on education. Her experiences reveal the challenges of leading a nonprofit and the crucial lessons learned in fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. By sharing her journey, Soll inspires a collective vision for a more equitable and sustainable future in urban agriculture.

A Call to Action for the Vertical Farming Industry

In her parting message, Soll urges leaders in the vertical farming industry to invest in educational programs and forge stronger connections with the younger generation. She advocates for providing internships, tours, and real-world exposure to the industry, emphasizing the importance of nurturing a workforce passionate about sustainable agriculture and food justice.

Growing Together Toward a Greener Future

Katherine Soll’s conversation with Harry Duran is more than an interview; it’s a clarion call to action for communities, educators, and industry leaders to unite in the mission of transforming urban landscapes into thriving spaces of food production and education. By rooting for change, we can harvest a future where everyone has access to fresh, nutritious food and the opportunity to grow—not just plants, but potential.

To learn more about Teens for Food Justice and their impactful work, visit Teens for Food Justice and follow their journey on social media.

Listen to the full episode here.