The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation announced its multi-year partnership with the National Head Start Association to combat some of the most pressing challenges facing today’s youngest generation, improving access to healthy food and increasing time spent outdoors connected to nature. The three-year partnership will work to bring the powerful, life-enhancing benefits of gardens to one million at-risk Head Start children and families across the country each year through the development of edible gardens and hands-on garden education.
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and the National Head Start Association will make garden grants, garden kits, educational curriculum, and garden training available to all Head Start programs in the U.S. with the goal of creating more edible gardens and interactive learning experiences for young children and their families, ultimately teaching them how to grow their own healthy food––for life.
“All children benefit from spending time in nature and learning to enjoy fresh, healthy foods, and this partnership will provide many of America’s most vulnerable kids with those valuable opportunities,” NHSA’s Executive Director Yasmina Vinci said. “This initiative is part of NHSA’s Year of Whole Health, where we will bring a renewed focus to specific areas of health to improve the wellbeing of Head Start children, families and staff. NHSA is grateful to The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation for partnering with us to find new ways to support Head Start programs in their mission to prepare children for success in school and life.”
Since 2011, ScottsMiracle-Gro has supported the creation of more than a thousand community gardens and greenspaces in every state in the U.S. From edible gardens solving food insecurity to green schoolyards providing natural places for children to learn and grow, the Foundation has seen firsthand the positive effects gardens can have on young children. As a result, the Foundation will focus its garden outreach on programs that directly benefit youth.
“Our work to connect more people to the benefits of gardens is never more important than when it’s helping young children.” said Jim King, president of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation. “We know that time spent in the garden can increase children’s access to fresh food, physical activity, and positive social interaction and reduce their stress and anxiety. That’s why we’re passionate about our partnership with the National Head Start Association and the positive impact it will have for this next generation.”
The 2018 application for the National Head Start Association Garden Grants is available online at go.nhsa.org/Gardens, and all Head Start programs are welcome to apply. The deadline for application submission is November 15, 2018. Monetary grants of $5,000 will be awarded based on youth engagement, community impact, and sustainability, among other factors.
KidsGardening.org and Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens will join The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation in providing educational support and outreach to the Head Start community over the next three years.
For more information:
www.scottsmiraclegrofoundation.org
www.nhsa.org