Harvest Heroes; Cultivating Growth, Leadership, and Connection
In the evolving landscape of youth development, few programs have merged education, agriculture and leadership quite as powerfully as Harvest Heroes, an initiative led by Virginia State University (VSU) Cooperative Extension. Through the vision and dedication of educators like Nicole Swinson, the program has emerged as a transformative tool for reconnecting youth with the agricultural roots that sustain our world.
A Vision Rooted in Passion
Nicole Swinson is a passionate Extension educator and youth program specialist who wholeheartedly believes in the power of agricultural literacy and hands-on learning to transform young lives. She is committed to ensuring that every young person, no matter their background, has the opportunity to discover where their food comes from, understand the science behind it and imagine themselves as leaders in agriculture’s future. With years of experience blending education and community service, Nicole inspires youth to see agriculture as more than a career, but a way to build confidence, resilience and a sense of purpose. She encourages young people to engage actively, embrace their cultural roots, and step into leadership roles. These values are at the heart of the Harvest Heroes program, where passion meets empowerment to grow the next generation of changemakers.
“Harvest Heroes isn’t just a program; it’s a framework for engaging, educating and inspiring youth in any community.”
Empowering Through Experience
The unique element of Harvest Heroes lies in its life-size, peer-to-peer approach. At 35x35ft, the game’s size allows youth to physically step inside the game, answer questions and participate in activities within each station.
This summer, agricultural students from VSU and NC A&T serve as Harvest Hero Guides, traveling to youth-serving events across multiple states. These near-peer mentors lead workshops, explain game mechanics and facilitate activities that bring agriculture to life in classrooms, camps and community centers. VCE Agents, VSU interns and agriculture students also co-developed the Harvest Heroes Activity Book—a vibrant, interactive resource filled with puzzles, illustrations, planting guides, journal prompts, ag facts, and life skill reflections.
Since its launch, the program has made a measurable impact in Virginia, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, and beyond—reaching hundreds of students and sparking interest in agricultural careers among groups who may never have considered the field.
Nicole focuses on agriculture education and engaging experiences not only as our history, but as our future, filled with innovation, science and opportunity.
The Harvest Heroes Impact
Evaluations of Harvest Heroes show a significant increase in:
Youth understanding of food systems and agriculture careers
• Interest in agri-entrepreneurship and sustainable practices
• Teamwork, public speaking and problem-solving skills
• Positive associations with agriculture and STEM education
This holistic model—designed with flexibility and scalability in mind—is now serving as an example for Extension professionals nationwide.
A Model for Replication
Harvest Heroes isn’t just a program; it’s a framework for engaging, educating and inspiring youth in any community. Nicole Swinson’s dedication to student leadership, culturally responsive programming and agriculture as a tool for empowerment makes this initiative a standout example of what 21st-century Extension can look like. As Nicole often says, “Agriculture is more than farming—it’s food, science, finance, sustainability, and culture. When young people connect with it, they connect with their power and their voice. Creating space for them to be Beyond Ready!”
Interested in bringing Harvest Heroes to your region? For activity books, facilitator training, or game kits, contact Nicole Swinson, VSU Cooperative Extension, and learn how you can help grow the next generation of agri-leaders—one game, one grow space, one guide at a time.
By Nicole Swinson, Virginia State University Cooperative Extension
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