In keeping with our goal to connect 10 million kids to the benefits of gardens and outdoor play, 175 garden programs receive funding this spring
Now more than ever, children and families across the country need the positive experiences that gardening provides. That’s why our foundation is bringing the powerful benefits of gardening to 10 million children across the United States by 2023. This spring, 175 nonprofit organizations will receive funding to create or enhance youth garden programs, as part of our annual Gro More Good Grassroots Grants with KidsGardening.
“There has never been a more important time in the history of this program for kids to experience the connection that gardening brings to a sense of family, to freshly grown food and to outdoor play. During a time with unprecedented school closures and wide-spread social distancing measures in place across the country, gardening is a chance to share in the joy that growing brings,” said Jim King, president of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation. “We know each of these grantees is on the front lines in their communities, doing critical work to connect kids to healthy food. It’s our responsibility to support their important work.”
Throughout our nation’s history, gardening has supported families and communities in times of need, the most recognizable of which may be the victory garden movement during World War I. During that time, millions of Americans gardened at home or within their community to support the war efforts, secure their own food supply and grow something beneficial during stressful times. Not unlike the victory garden movement, communities are gardening this spring to ensure children and families have access to fresh food and experience the therapeutic nature of growing during difficult, uncertain times.
“We are growing strong,” said Elizabeth Dry of Promise Community Gardens in Dallas, Texas. “We are also practicing physical distancing, as we are sharing more food than ever during this time of critical need. This funding will help us tremendously.”
Recognizing the need parents may have now for additional home-learning resources, we’re also sharing our Gro More Good Learning Activities, a set of 72 hands-on lessons to get kids learning outside. Based on early childhood best practices, the activities were developed around the four seasons of a garden with the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center. These free lessons are available on our website.
The Grassroots Grants and Learning Activities are part of our larger Gro More Good initiative, which aims to bring the life-enhancing benefits of gardens and greenspaces to 10 million children by 2023. As part of Gro More Good, we’re partnering with leading nonprofit organizations, such as KidsGardening, to get more kids outside and connected to the positive benefits of outdoor play and gardening, such as increased consumption of fresh food and more physical activity.
“We are so impressed by the amazing work being done by this year’s Gro More Good Grassroots Grantees,” said Rachel Stein, executive director of KidsGardening. “KidsGardening strongly believes there is a critical need to support these programs and the work they are doing to get more children into the garden, growing healthy food, and having positive experiences with the natural world.”
Because of the unforeseen challenges due to COVID-19, the uses for Gro More Good Grassroots Grant funds were broadened to allow organizations to use the funding for garden spaces, education and emerging needs in their community due to the novel coronavirus. A full list of the 2020 Gro More Good Grassroots Grantees is available at https://kidsgardening.org/2020-gromoregood-grassroots-grant/.
For more information on our Gro More Good initiative, visit www.GroMoreGood.org
For educational garden resources from ScottsMiracle-Gro and KidsGardening, visit:
http://www.GroMoreGood.com/activities
https://kidsgardening.org/garden-ideas-kids-parents-teachers/
