Daniel’s Story

Daniel Yang, Board of Directors Vice President and former Urban Roots intern

My journey with Urban Roots started in 2012 and is still going! I was introduced to the youth internship program by a friend who had participated the previous summer. Initially, I wasn’t sure I was ready to join; the work they were doing was unfamiliar to me. However, I decided to give it a try because it seemed like a good opportunity to earn money while spending time with friends during the summer. 

Daniel as a Cook Fresh youth intern in 2016.

Little did I know that joining Urban Roots would become a stepping stone to many future opportunities. During my time with the program, I had the privilege of participating in all three programs: Conservation, Market Garden, and Cook Fresh. I was also on the Youth Council and participated in unique projects that collaborated with St. Thomas and Minnesota Twins. Urban Roots instilled in me a deep appreciation for the environment, awareness of healthy living and community.

From the onset, I realized that Urban Roots was a unique program that I knew would help me tremendously. I took every opportunity to learn, whether it was teaching community cooking classes, selling produce to CSA members, or giving presentations on rain gardens. Urban Roots pushed me to be a go-getter early on, which helped me believe in myself and helped me pursue opportunities that were instrumental in shaping my professional career.

Daniel (second from left) and other market garden interns on KARE11 to talk about Roots for the Home Team (2015)

It was through my work with Urban Roots that I first learned about global issues like climate change. Once I entered college, I turned that curiosity into a passion and was eventually selected as a student delegate for the United Nations negotiations on climate change at COP19 in Paris. Even after my time as an Urban Roots intern, I carried those values of community building onward. After university I was awarded a Fulbright teaching scholarship, which allowed me to teach for a year in Thailand. I credit Urban Roots with laying the foundation for my ability to bring communities together through food and culture. Today, in my professional life, I continue to draw on the experiences and lessons I gained from Urban Roots, a program that has profoundly shaped who I am.

Now, I’m Vice President of the Urban Roots Board of Directors. Through this role, I actively help carry out the organization’s goals and contribute to planning its direction to further extend our mission to other youth.

What’s the most valuable seed that Urban Roots has helped you plant, grow, and harvest, in yourself or our community?

Urban Roots helped me recognize and believe in my own skills. They encouraged me to take risks, embrace curiosity, and, through that, discover personal growth. They also highlighted the value of community and the importance of remembering and appreciating the support that helped shape me.

-Daniel Yang, Communications Specialist, TriNet
Vice President, Urban Roots Board of Directors, Former Urban Roots youth intern