For youth ages 13-18 who are interested in creating a more just, sustainable, and compassionate food system, Farm Sanctuary’s Youth Leadership Council provides a sense of community and the chance to connect with like-minded student peers from across the country. Through the Youth Leadership Council, we offer tools and resources to support school- and community-based advocacy projects aligned with each student’s personal interest and the opportunity for experienced student activists to play a mentorship role, as well as new student activists to seek guidance as mentees. Members come together monthly for general meetings where we discuss the interrelated issues of our food system such as farm animal oppression, the exploitation of workers, food justice and food sovereignty, and the environmental impacts of modern food production.

Members are supported in creating advocacy projects like writing op-eds in various publications, starting fundraisers, leading school clubs, campaigning for vegan options in their schools’ cafeterias, activism through social media, and contacting legislators to put laws into place to revolutionize our food system. Check out the Farm Sanctuary 2023 YLC Zine, an advocacy project created and edited by some of our YLC members! (View the 2022 YLC Zine here.)

The application window is now open for the 2024-25 school year. Students (ages 13-18) interested in joining should complete the short application form before October 1.