(Reshaping Outreach Opportunities
Through Self-Discovery)
An Exploration Experience for Urban Youth
Urban ROOTS is a transformative program created via a collaboration between the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, The Ohio State University, the Ohio State College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, OSU Extension in Franklin County, and local community partners.
This initiative offers eighth-grade and high school students from the urban core of Franklin County hands-on, immersive learning experiences. Focused on food, agriculture, the environment, and related technologies, Urban ROOTS nurtures young leaders equipped to tackle tomorrow's challenges.
The program plans to expand statewide, creating opportunities to engage more of Ohio's youth in both classroom and field experiences. The program helps to bridge the rural-urban divide, offering educational pathways that connect communities while highlighting for students that agriculture is for everyone, no matter where they live. From animal sciences to agricultural communication, from food science to precision agriculture, Urban ROOTS introduces students to diverse career possibilities within the agricultural sector.
The experiential program includes:
- Year-round campus and community educational programs
- Neighborhood-based youth and family engagement
- Open house visits to connect the university and community
- Bus tours to events, such as the Franklin County Fair and Farm Science Review
- a five-day, four-night residential summer camp on campus for 40 youth (who are selected based on their program participation)
Priority for this program is given to students from the Columbus, Whitehall, South-Western, and Reynoldsburg school districts.
Collaborative
- The dynamic curriculum includes a series of interactive guides, experiences, and resources for youth, families, educators, community leaders, and volunteers.
Innovative
- Continual innovation will come through the guidance of youth, the emergence of new opportunities, and program evaluation.
Trusted
- OSU Extension demonstrates best practices with youth safety, respectful community engagement, and dynamic camp operations.
For more information, email urbanroots@osu.edu.