About Us
Agri-Kids serves elementary-aged children who are growing up in a world that’s more connected to technology than to the soil beneath their feet. We work with schools across the district to bring farming, nutrition, and hands-on learning right into the classroom, showing kids where their food really comes from and why it matters.
Rooted In Purpose
Fifteen years ago, I was running a private gym in Langley. Around Christmas, we did what everyone else did: packed up a bunch of food and dropped it off at the food bank. It was supposed to feel good, but it didn’t. The next year, we did it again, and as I watched people standing in line, coffee in one hand and phone in the other, I couldn’t shake the feeling that we weren’t really helping the people who needed it most. It started to feel like checking a box, not making a difference.
So I changed things. The next few years, we started hosting Christmas dinners for families through the Boys & Girls Club and the YWCA shelter. Real turkey dinners. Sit-down meals with tablecloths and kids running around. My own kids worked as servers, and my wife ran the kitchen. It was chaotic and beautiful, and for the first time, it felt right. Every year, it got bigger: 150 families, then 300, then 400. Even when COVID hit, we pivoted to takeout boxes so families could still take home Christmas dinner and breakfast. What mattered was that they knew someone cared.
That same drive to make something meaningful is what started the Agri-Kids Society. I wanted to help kids build confidence, learn where their food comes from, and reconnect with the world around them. It began with hydroponics towers in classrooms, and now we visit schools all over the district, teaching kids about farming, nutrition, and hard work that gets dirt under your fingernails. Every kid leaves with fresh produce to take home and a spark of pride in what they’ve learned. For me, it’s simple. I’m not here to preach about farming. I’m here to help kids grow, in every sense of the word.
FAQs
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Agri-Kids was founded by Blake Venechuk, owner of Venechuk Farms. What started as a small classroom hydroponics project has grown into a community-driven initiative serving thousands of kids each year—all thanks to a team of dedicated volunteers who believe learning should be hands-on, messy, and meaningful.
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Each visit includes a fun, hands-on presentation about farming, hydroponics, or nutrition, plus classroom activities, take-home recipes, and fresh, locally grown produce for every student. We also bring a little something for teachers—like Starbucks coffee—to say thanks for letting us take over for the day!
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Yes! While most of our programs take place in schools, classes that participate in Agri-Kids can also visit Venechuk Farms for free field trips, where students can see real farming in action. We also run our Young Farmers Program every spring and summer.
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We love working with local businesses and organizations that share our passion for food education and community. Sponsors help us expand our reach, provide more produce, and give back to more families each year.