Vero Beach, FL – The Economic Opportunities Council of Indian River County (EOC) announced the continuation of its Head Start community gardens at three sites across Indian River and Okeechobee counties. The gardens are part of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and the National Head Start Association’s GroMoreGood Garden Grants initiative, which seeks to connect one million Head Start children across the country to garden education and fresh food.
EOC received a GroMoreGood garden grant to purchase new equipment, add storage sheds, refresh garden beds with high-quality soil and seedlings, offer parent gardening workshops, and host three Community Build Days at Douglas Head Start in Wabasso, St. Helen’s Head Start in Gifford, and Northside Head Start in Okeechobee. Once the project is complete, more than 200 Head Start and Early Head Start children will continue to benefit from thriving garden spaces, and families will have access to hands-on gardening workshops and take-home container garden kits.
Now, EOC is inviting the community to be part of this exciting growth!
Join us for three Community Build Days:
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- Saturday, September 12, 2026 – Douglas Head Start (Wabasso)
8445 64th Ave, Wabasso, FL 32970 - Saturday, September 19, 2026 – St. Helen’s Head Start (Gifford)
3550 41st Street, Vero Beach, FL 32967 - Saturday, September 26, 2026 – Northside Head Start (Okeechobee)
1798 NW 9th Ave, Okeechobee, FL, 34972
- Saturday, September 12, 2026 – Douglas Head Start (Wabasso)
- All events start at 9:00 AM. We will be done by 12:00 PM, if not sooner.
- Come when you can, stay as long as you’re able! Whether you have 30 minutes or 3 hours, your help makes a difference.
Volunteers of all ages and skill levels are welcome! Come help build storage sheds, prepare garden beds, and tour the campuses to see our thriving gardens in action. No prior gardening experience is necessary, just a willingness to help and a love for community!
According to Angela Davis-Green, Executive Director of EOC, “We are honored to receive grant support for our Head Start gardens. This funding will help us replace weathered equipment, add secure storage, and most importantly, bring parents and the community into the garden alongside their children. We hope it will improve the lives of the Head Start children and families we serve for many growing seasons to come.”
“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 Yasmina Vinci, NHSA Executive Director. “NHSA is proud of our continuing partnership with EOC to support experiential learning, foster curiosity, and encourage even more Head Start children and their families to learn and play outside!”
EOC will have the honor of presenting about their garden and this award to the members of the National Head Start Association in October.
About the Economic Opportunities Council of Indian River County
For more than 60 years, EOC has served as the local Community Action Agency, helping at-risk individuals and families transition from poverty to self-sufficiency. EOC operates Head Start and Early Head Start programs in Indian River and Okeechobee counties, providing high-quality early childhood education, health services, and family support. Learn more at www.eocofirc.net.
About the GroMoreGood Garden Grants Initiative
The GroMoreGood initiative, a partnership between the National Head Start Association and The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation, provides garden grants, educational curriculum, and garden training to Head Start programs with the goal of creating more edible gardens for young children and their families. Since its inception, the program has supported more than 62 existing and new garden projects for Head Start programs.
