Mentoring youth living in a Florida food desert

In 2019, when Camille and Monica met as fellows for the Sierra Club, they immediately connected over their work with youth. This shared passion blossomed into a partnership with Little Growers INC, a grassroots organization in Melbourne, Florida.

Melbourne faces several environmental issues. It's a declared food desert, meaning access to fresh food is scarce. The Indian River Lagoon, a vital waterway, is under threat, a near-dead zone. Summers are hotter and dryer than ever, a result of climate change. And the ever-looming shadow of rising sea levels threatens to displace thousands of residents.

But within these challenges, a seed of hope was planted. Together with Little Growers, BOD designed an "Intro to Permaculture" class as part of their "Earn and Learn" Summer program. Students aged 12 to 17 learned about the Indian River Lagoon and permaculture-based solutions to their region’s water management issues, with a special focus on rain gardens. 

It was a success! Our students were excited to learn, connecting their classroom lessons with enriching field trips. 

One of the most heartwarming moments was witnessing Ahmir, a former star student, step into the role of facilitator. His enthusiasm and knowledge inspired the current students to envision their own paths of growth. "Thank you, Ahmir," we say with gratitude. 💚

The "Earn and Learn" program is the first step in Little Growers' larger vision of equipping youth to design and implement permaculture-based solutions in Melbourne. We are excited to be part of it!

The world needs MORE programs like this! BOD is ready to develop a year-long High School Permaculture elective.
​But WE CAN’T DO IT WITHOUT YOU! 
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