Home Tess Majors Foundation grant supports Project GROWS youth leadership program
Education

Tess Majors Foundation grant supports Project GROWS youth leadership program

Chris Graham
tess majors
Tess Majors. Photo: TessMajors.com

A foundation working to preserve the memory of former AFP intern Tess Majors is partnering with Project GROWS to advance a local youth leadership program.

“We’re incredibly grateful to the Tess Majors Foundation for their generous gift,” said Clara Metzler, executive director of Project GROWS, a nonprofit educational farm in Augusta County.

The foundation gift will support the Youth Leaders in Agriculture Program at Project GROWS, which aims to provide local youths with essential skills in farming, leadership and sustainability, while preparing them for future careers in agriculture and community development.


Sign up

Applications for the 2025 Youth Leader in Agriculture Program are open now.
More information and instructions on how to apply can be found at www.projectgrows.org/yla.


The Youth Leaders in Agriculture Program offers paid positions for high-school juniors and seniors interested in exploring careers related to farming and food systems. Participants gain hands-on farming experience, help out with summer camps, support community farmers markets, and learn about local food systems.

By combining education and community engagement, the program helps youth develop job-readiness skills in leadership, teamwork and responsibility while opening doors to various career pathways.

“We are so proud of the tremendous impact this program has had on local youth over the last four years and are excited to deepen that impact with support from this foundation. Through this partnership, we aim to honor the incredible life and legacy of Tess, a remarkable young person and a true force for good,” Metzler said.


About the Tess Majors Foundation

The Tess Majors Foundation is a private foundation with a mission to support and partner with organizations that provide young people instruction in music, nature, and the arts, especially in regions of the country where such opportunities may be lacking and programs can have a significant impact. To learn more, visit www.tessmajorsfoundation.com.


Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham, the king of "fringe media," a zero-time Virginia Sportswriter of the Year, and a member of zero Halls of Fame, is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, or subscribe to his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected].