Scott’s Miracle Gro-Foundation and National Head Start Association announce the winners of the 2023-2024 Garden Grants

Portland, OR—Earlier today, the Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and National Head Start Association (NHSA) were excited to announce the recipients of this year’s GroMoreGood Garden Grants designed to connect our nation’s youth to the benefits of gardening and outdoor play. 

Now in its sixth year, the program, administered by Scott’s Miracle-Gro Foundation and NHSA, awards individual grants to Head Start programs based on several factors including the project’s positive influence and impact on young children, their families, and the broader community. The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation provides the grant funding. This year’s 2023-24 GroMoreGood Garden Grants winners are:

• Aroostook County Action Program, Presque Isle, Maine
• AVANCE–Houston, Inc., Houston, Texas
• Clackamas County Children’s Commission, Milwaukie, Oregon
• Cocopah Indian Tribe Head Start, Somerton, Arizona
• Community Action Commission of Fayette County, Washington Court House, Ohio
• Community Action, Inc. of Central Texas, San Marcos, Texas
• Community Council of South Central Texas, Inc., Seguin, Texas
• Drake University Head Start, Des Moines, Iowa
• Mid America Head Start, Kansas City, Missouri
• Northeast Missouri Community Action Agency, Kirksville, Missouri
• Quality Care Early Head Start CCP, Vineland, New Jersey
• Southern Oregon Child & Family Council, Inc., Central Point, Oregon

“By providing children and their families access to garden curriculum, training and seasonal garden storytimes, we can spark curiosity for and a love of growing living things,” said Brian Herrington, president of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation. “This year’s grants will provide children in 12 programs nationwide with the opportunity to grow produce and learn invaluable lessons in the process.” 

The harvests will be used in Head Start classrooms as well as support Head Start families and local food agencies. 

“The research is clear: garden-based learning improves educational outcomes, enhances social and emotional learning and—perhaps most importantly—engages every child’s innate wonder and care for the natural world,” said NHSA Executive Director Yasmina Vinci. “NHSA is proud of our continuing partnership with The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation to support experiential learning, foster curiosity and encourage even more Head Start children and their families to learn and play outside this year.”

Since its inception, the program has supported more than 50 existing and new garden projects for Head Start programs. Learn more about past grant recipients from 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019 and via the webinar series.

This year’s grant winners will be recognized during the 2024 National Head Start Conference. The largest national conference devoted to all things Head Start, NHSA’s annual conference brings the Head Start community together for sharing, networking, learning and celebrating.

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About National Head Start Association

The National Head Start Association is committed to the belief that every child, regardless of circumstances at birth, has the ability to succeed in school and in life. The opportunities offered by Head Start lead to healthier, empowered children and families, and stronger, more vibrant communities. NHSA is the voice for more than 800,000 million children, 270,000 staff, and 1,600 Head Start grant recipients in the United States. Visit nhsa.org or follow @NatlHeadStart to learn more.

About The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation

The mission of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation is to inspire, connect and cultivate a community of purpose. The Foundation is deeply rooted in helping create healthier communities, empower the next generation, and preserve our planet. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that funds non-profit entities that support its core initiatives in the form of grants, endowments and multi-year capital gifts. For more information, visit www.scottsmiraclegrofoundation.org.

Contacts

NHSA: Tommy Sheridan, Deputy Director, tsheridan@nhsa.org

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation: Tom Matthews, tom.matthews@scotts.com