Des Moines Founders Garden Club Assists Youth Social Services with Rooftop Garden Program

Workforce Program in Iowa Supports and Trains At-Risk Young Adults in Employable Skills

May 21, 2025

By: Connie Tjarksen

Since 2020, the Des Moines Founders Garden Club (DMFGC) has been instrumental in bringing Youth Social Services (YSS) Rooftop Gardens to life.  Their donation of $25,000 laid the foundation for one of the most innovative workforce development programs in Iowa, connecting youth with meaningful employment and hands-on agricultural experience. Above city streets, DMFGC and YSS Rooftop Gardens have helped create a positive impact on food security and workforce development for youth.
 
The Rooftop Gardens empowers youth who have aged out of foster care--or are experiencing homelessness--with employable skills.   On the Des Moines branch of YSS roof sit six containers each equipped with four growing panels.  The gardens produce around 4,000 heads of lettuce every six weeks--comparable to a harvest from 2-3 acres of traditional farmland. 

The Rooftop Gardens employ eight young people, paying $15 an hour-- a crucial stepping stone, providing both income and practical experience. 

In addition, the program offers:
--Hands-on training in growing, harvesting, and packaging produce;
--Life skills training (budgeting and meal planning);
--Employment skills (resume building and interview preparation);
--Food safety certifications;
--Bonuses, in addition to wages;
--On-site mental health support from YSS therapists;

DMFGC seeks to help nurture both the garden and the futures of the young people tending it. The workforce training can help overcome unemployment, homelessness, and break the cycle of poverty.