Located in the heart of the Arkansas Delta, Delta Dirt Distillery brings a multi-generational farming legacy to life through handcrafted spirits made from sweet potatoes grown on the family’s fourth-generation farm.
Despite a rich farming history, just 34% of youth see agriculture as relevant to their lives.
To address this gap, Delta Dirt Distillery partnered with Clinton School students to explore the development of a youth agriculture education program – one that would reconnect youth to agriculture careers, build modern workforce skills, and celebrate the Delta Region’s unique cultural heritage.
Using focus groups and interviews with agriculture specialists, educators, and local stakeholders, the students recommended a series of strategic actions a career-based activity workshops to engage middle school students, a plant-to-plate program with partners like FoodCorps and 4-H, and forming a Delta Dirt nonprofit to serve as an information and resources hub for local farmers.
Reviving youth interest in agriculture requires a collaborative and strategic approach – one that Delta Dirt is uniquely positioned to lead.
The Clinton School Impact Minute is a recurring segment with Little Rock Public Radio, highlighting the Clinton School’s field service impact.
Since 2004, Clinton School students have completed nearly 700 field service projects with more than 300 organizations in Arkansas alone, creating immediate and long-term impact for businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies across the state.