Cultural Youth Projects
Native Roots & Recipes and youth gatherings that connect young people to language, food, and tradition.
Oklahoma City
Empowering the next seven generations.
For over forty years, the Indigenous Youth Empowerment Project has nurtured Indigenous youth and families in Oklahoma City. Today, IYEP brings together Closer to Earth and Native Farming Solutions under one umbrella — growing culture, food sovereignty, and intergenerational learning for the next seven generations.
- 200+
- Youth & community served
- 12+
- Heirloom seed varieties
- 5
- Active program sites
A bridge between traditional Indigenous knowledge and the next generation.
Home of Closer to Earth, Native Farming Solutions & community youth programs.
What we do
All programs Five ways we empower our community.
Closer to Earth
Environmental stewardship and cultural learning for youth — connecting the next generation to the land and their heritage.
Native Farming Solutions
Our food sovereignty program — heirloom seeds, urban gardens, and Indigenous cultivation techniques.
Indigenous Gardening Classes
Hands-on workshops covering seed starting, land stewardship, and small-space sustainability rooted in tradition.
Traditional Food Preservation
Reintroducing food as art and connecting raw-food producers with local markets and kitchens.
Community Gatherings
Garden socials and community markets that promote culture, food sovereignty, and dance.
Help us empower more youth.
Your gift funds cultural programs, seeds, and the next generation.
Donate nowPreserving the seeds entrusted to us.
Every kernel of blue corn, every bean, every squash carries the memory of generations. We steward heirloom varieties so that the foods of our ancestors remain on the table — and in the field — for the generations still to come.
Read our storyCome grow with us.
Workshops, garden socials, and youth gatherings happen all season long. Find an upcoming event or get in touch to volunteer.