#GRO1000 and #SMGFoundationGives
Jackson County 4-H is working with students at Marianna Middle School and Jackson Alternative School to develop their School Community Gardens with Support from a GRO1000 Grassroots Grant from The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Grant program, which helps communities nationwide through garden, greenspace development. We also have donations of seeds from Marianna Walmart and Marianna Tractor Supply Company!
These gardens are part of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation’s GRO1000 initiative, designed to create 1,000 gardens and greenspaces by 2018, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company’s 150th anniversary.
Jackson County 4-H received a GRO1000 Grassroots Grant award to purchase tools and materials for use in the garden projects. It was one of more than 100 organizations across the U.S. to receive funding for a garden or greenspace build.
Once the project is complete, youth will have the opportunity to share what they produce with their school kitchens and support local food pantries.
According to Angel Granger, Jackson County 4-H Agent, “We were thrilled to receive the grant support for the Marianna Middle and Jackson Alternative School gardens. It is our hope that through the development of this space, we can bring our community even closer together, while educating our 4-H youth about the benefits of gardening.”
Community gardens and public greenspaces play an important role in towns and cities. The gardens in Marianna will provide a place for the youth to gather and work together to grow fresh produce. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that Americans throw away more than 11 billion pounds of produce each year. Despite that surplus, 4.1 percent of U.S. households experience hunger, 2.9 million of whom are children. Through this garden, youth will be encouraged to eat healthier through cost effective means.
Youth learn to grow their own food and eat healthier while learning valuable life skills! To learn more about the Jackson County 4-H School Garden Project, visit https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/jacksonco/educational-resources/school-garden-program/ or contact the Jackson County 4-H Office at (850) 482-9620.
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