Rating:

0.0 (0 votes)

MISSOULA- Western Montana youth have been getting their hands dirty for years at the Garden City Harvest Farms, but this year they started a business called the Flower Share Project

High school sophomore Casey Ellingson says, "we started our own flower business and we've been delivering bouquets to local downtown businesses."

Each week Casey and Rhuzana deliver fresh flowers to over a dozen local businesses.

Iit just makes it so much more cheerful and we had a tradition of having flowers but it's just the best when somebody brings them to you," Buttercup Market and Deli owner Molly Galusha said.

The project provides Missoula's at risk youth with an hourly wage and some tangible life skills.

Youth Harvest Project Coordinator, Laurie Bridgeman says all youth are at risk because being a kid can be difficult, but she says this program really prepares them for the work force.

"They learn to put job proposals together, problem solve, and figure out how to run something from the ground up. None of it was put in place, it was all youth built."

The kids may have made some mistakes in the past, but to their coworkers and business associates they are blossoming youth, full of budding potential.

Youth Harvest Project Coordinator, Ky Nayfield says, "the most rewarding part is seeing their progression as seasons move on."

Soon-to-be College of Technology student, Rhuzana Maddeaux says she loves working on a farm and contributing to growing flowers and food for her community, "it's really rewarding to be like, yeah, we helped grow that."

It costs $15 a week for businesses to have fresh flowers delivered. They hope to have at least six more weeks of harvest before the first frost sets in.

Click here to learn more about Garden City Harvest Farms

Contact Robin O'Day