Help Social AgroBusiness of Rural Youth in Ukraine

Summer is a hot season and very important time for our program in the Liebental village. At the farm, we are now observing and caring for plants, harvesting. Our work helps to provide natural organic products to the clients of the social projects of the Way Home Foundation. Basically today it is IDPs who are the people from other regions of Ukraine who fled to Odesa city from the war and occupation. The Way Home Foundation has opened a bakery and a social cafe where up to 300 people a day receive free hot meals in Odesa. Our social centers are also providing three meals a day, along with temporary housing and psychosocial support for migrant families.

Of course, the war in Ukraine forced us to change plans this year. So far, a full-fledged implementation of a long-term agribusiness training program for young people is not possible. Therefore, we conduct regular weekend visits to the farm for children from IDP families and from low-income families. They enjoy spending time here: walking in nature, learning how the farm works, helping adults, playing on the new playground. It is critical now to give children the opportunity to ease the stress and trauma they have suffered from the war.

We have also started developing a new agribusiness course for adult migrants who want to live in the countryside and to change their profession.

In order for the Liebenthal farm to receive additional funds for development, we sell the flowers we have grown, as well as some of the vegetables and greenary. This year we have harvested a very good crop of cucumbers and made canned food for the winter.