Local nonprofit receives boost to aid youth gardening program

Local nonprofit receives boost to aid youth gardening program

State Farm® Youth Advisory Board grants $29,075 to local program

From Kristina DaSilva

      BROWARD COUNTY, FL  – HandsOn Broward received a $29,075 service-learning grant for a youth gardening project from the State Farm Youth Advisory Board (YAB). The local volunteer mobilization hub is one of 65 community organizations across the United States and Canada and one of five programs in Florida to receive the grant.

HandsOn Broward will use the funds to expand the scope of its youth gardening program to include 15 new schools and youth centers. The program will provide an opportunity for 3,000 local students to learn about and engage in nutrition education and environmental stewardship through the creation and maintenance of a vegetable garden.

“We’re grateful for companies like State Farm and the great work that they do to make service-learning possible,” said Sander Schrantz, HandsOn Broward’s Director of Special Programs. “Because of their support, we’re able to involve kids in hands-on learning experiences that will expand their knowledge of healthy and sustainable food options.”

The group broke ground on the first garden of the grant period on Tuesday as HandsOn Broward volunteers and representatives from State Farm gathered at Pompano Beach Elementary School.  The new garden will be used as a teaching tool for the school’s science programs.

“State Farm supports service-learning because it integrates service to the community into classroom curriculum using a hands-on approach to mastering subject material while fostering civic responsibility,” said Jose Soto, State Farm community specialist for the Broward County area. “Service-learning is an excellent way to engage students outside of the traditional ‘chalk and black-board’ model, and the YAB really liked this project’s core goals.”

The State Farm Youth Advisory Board has granted over $32 million in grant money since its inception in 2006, empowering youth to implement service-learning in 520 communities.

     About HandsOn Broward: HandsOn Broward inspires, equips and mobilizes people to take action to positively effect change in Broward County.

     To learn more about HandsOn Broward’s upcoming service opportunities or to schedule a volunteer orientation at your organization or place of business, please call (954) 233.1300 or visit us online at www.HandsOnBroward.org

     About the Youth Advisory Board: The State Farm Youth Advisory Board is a diverse group of 30 youth, ages 17-20, who were chosen through a competitive process to lead and over-see this $5 million/year signature service-learning initiative. The Youth Board identified the issues, issued competitive grants and will now provide technical assistance, communication and oversight to site grantees.