The YMCA of Greater Rochester has provided unique learning opportunities over the years for the campers of the Power Scholars Academy. This summer is no different, as the summer enrichment program has brought its middle school-aged students to Foodlink’s Community Farm.
Every Thursday during the program, PSA kids get a mix of food education and an understanding of what the farming process entails. In a July 23 visit, students got to make a homemade pico de gallo, as well as tending to bees in their hives and learning about the importance of them to farms and the food they produce.
“This has been a great opportunity for these kids to learn why a service like Foodlink is so important to their community,” said Rodney Wetmore, PSA’s Site Coordinator.
The farm itself has new additions. Although Foodlink’s Community Farm has been around for 15 years, its latest renovated spaces opened to the community in October of 2025, so this marks the first growing season and summer there. Being able to help educate the community like the PSA kids has always been a goal in mind for the farm.
“Our vision, at the farm, has always been to not just help produce food, but to also do full-on education of food, where it comes from, how to cook it,” said Frank Keophetlasy, Foodlink’s Community Farm Manager.
Keophetlasy said he’s been grateful to give the PSA campers experiences that many in our community are not accustomed to, the opportunity to see what fruits and vegetables look like coming off the vine, then turning them into food.
“It’s been such a great partnership with the Y,” said Keophetlasy. “We have the vision and goal; the Y has the outreach, community and individuals to bring it all together. I think both of our missions and goals are to uplift the community and give younger people an opportunity to experience things they’ve never experienced before.”
Two campers, Keishliany and Za’nyla, shared how they enjoyed learning new things this summer at the farm. Keishliany believes it will help her in the future as she prepares to cook more as she grows up.
One of her camp friends, Belladonna, agreed, noting how she’s learned how important farms and their plants are this summer.
“They’re important to our society,” said Belladonna. “And to all of our surroundings; people, plants, animals.”
PSA middle school teacher Micah Walker has been with the campers each week as they have visited the farm this summer. He credited the relationship between the YMCA and Foodlink for making this possible and believes it’s highly beneficial for the kids.
“To see how their food is made, to get hands-on learning, I think that’s a huge thing for this age group,” said Micah.
“Teaching them how to grow, teaching them how to cultivate, teaching them about agriculture, harvesting. Giving them agency, and letting them know they have agency, in their own food production in their own community. I think it’s essential, and the kids really enjoy it.”
