BoysGrow expanding, adding farm kitchen to program

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- BoysGrow launched in 2010 with the goal of teaching entrepreneurism through agriculture.

By 2018, the non-profit has graduated hundreds of boys from its program. 

Now, it's looking to expand by building the BoysGrow Farm Kitchen. 

"It'll be an office space, certified kitchen, canning center post-harvest handling room and then kind of a flex space for education and events,” said John Gordon, Jr., executive director of BoysGrow.

The price tag is $1 million, and they've already raised $815,000.

For the boys involved, it's about more than just a building. 

"It's a lot of blood, sweat and tears that we put into the work and it really pays off once you see all the good food that we've grown,” said Javon Hampton, a 16-year-old who plans to graduate next year. 

His younger brother, 14-year-old Jayvell Hampton, added his praise for the program.

"Everybody sees my improvements in my work and how I don't give up as easily as I used to,” Jayvell said.

If you'd like to support BoysGrow, you can take part in Farm Fest 2018 . It's a family-friendly, chef-inspired event featuring Lidia Bastianich and nine other local restaurants.