Confidence Grows at Jamie's Farm Thanks to ADM Cares

For some young people, challenges with confidence, wellbeing and engagement in education can make it harder to recognise and fulfil their potential.

A partnership between ADM Cares and Jamie's Farm, a UK-based charity, is helping young people grow more than fruits and vegetables by building confidence, resilience and life skills through hands-on experiences with food and nature. In 2025, 2,455 young people participated in the Connecting Young People to Nature programme, strengthening their connection with nature, wellbeing and sustainable food production. Since 2020, ADM's support has helped the programme reach close to 10,000 young people, alongside investments in garden infrastructure that will benefit future generations of visitors.

“The support from ADM Cares has enabled us to give thousands of young people opportunities to connect with nature, food and each other through hands-on experiences that build confidence and support their wellbeing. Just as importantly, the investment has helped us develop growing spaces at Skipton and Lower Shockerwick that will continue to benefit young people for years to come, creating a lasting legacy beyond the lifetime of the grant,” said Jamie Feilden, Founder & Co-CEO, Jamie's Farm.

ADM Cares funding helped strengthen one of the most distinctive aspects of the Jamie's Farm programme: enabling young people facing significant challenges to engage with food, nature and themselves through practical, hands-on experiences. Young people participated in gardening and cooking sessions that allowed them to sow, grow, harvest and prepare fresh produce while learning about nutrition, sustainability and teamwork.

At Jamie's Farm Skipton, funding supported the continued development of a productive and welcoming garden space, including raised beds, herb planters, vegetable plots, fruit trees and sensory planting areas. Young people were involved throughout the growing cycle, from nurturing seedlings in the polytunnel to harvesting crops that could be used in cooking sessions.

At Lower Shockerwick, Jamie's Farm's newest site, ADM's support helped establish and expand a thriving kitchen garden and orchard. Young people helped maintain growing areas, build composting systems and cultivate a variety of fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes, beans, sweetcorn, onions, courgettes and strawberries. These activities created valuable opportunities to learn about food production, seasonality and environmental stewardship.

The programme delivered meaningful benefits for participants. Young people reported increased confidence, greater curiosity about healthy eating and a stronger appreciation for the restorative power of spending time outdoors. For many, the chance to spend time in nature and step away from the pressures of busy urban environments was particularly valuable. One participant described the gardening sessions as "nice and calm and peaceful," while another said the experience inspired them to become more involved in gardening at home and try new things.

“ADM is proud to support programmes that create meaningful opportunities for young people to learn, grow and thrive. Our partnership with Jamie's Farm demonstrates how connecting young people with food and nature can help build confidence, develop practical life skills and unlock positive, lasting change in communities,” said Jonathan Lane, Managing Director, ADM Agriculture and ADM UK Country Manager.

By supporting both transformative experiences and long-term infrastructure improvements, ADM Cares has helped create lasting opportunities for young people to connect with nature, gain valuable life skills and develop greater confidence in themselves. The enhanced gardens, orchards and growing spaces established through the partnership will continue to enrich the lives of young people visiting Jamie's Farm for years to come.