HAMILTON – Partnerships are blossoming at Homestead Organics Farm.

Five of the partnerships last week involved community youth: Bitterroot Ecological Awareness Resource Farm Camps, Farm Camp interns, Cultivating Connections youth interns, Linda Massa Youth Home youth workers and a MAPS Media Institute team.

Bitterroot Ecological Awareness Resources and Homestead Organics have held a farm camp for the past five years. This year B.E.A.R. had 11 campers, five intern counselors, one head counselor and two support staff from Homestead Organics Farm.

Val Aerni, program coordinator for B.E.A.R., said the Farm Camps are a perfect fit to inspire youth.

“Homestead Organics Farm owners Laura Garber and Henry Wuensche are fantastic people who truly care about sharing their love of farming and community with the kids,” Aerni said. “The farm is a great place for kids to explore and to create all sorts of connections, whether that is with the land, their peers, or with their own potential.”

Garber said the Farm Camp interns learned information about the farm so they could teach the B.E.A.R. campers this week.

“Last week they got used to the farm and found things to do with the B.E.A.R. campers,” she said. “They also did work so they know how a basic farm works and can share that with the campers.”

Aerni said these trained interns lead activities, support the youth and develop their leadership skills as assistant camp counselors.