Thirty youth participated in the Sweet Potato Project food-based collaborative project that provides support services education, and training in urban agriculture, business, skills, healthy choices, life skills, and mental health issues. 

PHASE 1: In late spring, the students learned about urban agriculture and sustainability and planted sweet potato slips donated by D&S Farms in Livingston, CA on an acre of land also donated by the African American Farmers Association. The students participated in entrepreneurial and business skills training workshops and classes taught by CSUF professionals from the Lyles School of Business. Participants also learned about creating a business plan for turning sweet potatoes into a product that can be sold.

PHASE II: The second phase of the Sweet Potato Project took place in the fall and winter months, where the students harvested sweet potatoes. The youth also used entrepreneurial and business skills through direct consumer interactions and internet advertising and sales, to take orders for sweet potatoes and sweet potato muffins. The