“The impact of this program is permanent. Children will forever remember the way their tomatoes grew from a seed and taste in the salad; they will know joy when they see mud, and know it is not only OK to get dirty, it’s encouraged! The sense of wonder, joy, and connection to the outdoors is an impact that will grow with each of these children and their parents.” – Jennifer, Acelero MM Freehold Head Start, 2022 Grant Recipient.
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and the National Head Start Association have partnered to bring the GroMoreGood Garden Grants to community gardens across the country for the past five years. The impact can be measured by green peppers, butterfly gardens and zinnias, but Jennifer’s words capture the way these gardens grow so much more.
Over the past five years, the partnership has reached nearly 10,000 youth across 27 states and districts. In addition, more than 5,000 adults have benefitted from the program. The children in the program are impacted in so many different ways.
“One child from our program absolutely would not try vegetables for his mom at all and he was one to come and help plant the garden in the beginning. With helping with the garden and his ability to work with the plants he became excited to try new foods. Now with us picking and trying things his mom cannot get him to stop eating vegetables and this small success made all the work worth it.” – Megan, Blue Water Community Action Head Start.
Check out the infographics below to see more details from the past five years. And if you or someone you know is a part of the Head Start community, the 2023-2024 GroMoreGood Garden Grant Application is now open.
