Ready, Set, Grow!

Ready, Set, Grow!

Ready, Set, Grow! inspires young learners at the City of Miami Child Learning Centers to explore the wonders of the outdoors. Each center’s garden serves as a vibrant, hands-on classroom where children engage with nature, discover the importance of nutrition, and observe wildlife up close. Through growing fruits, vegetables, pollinator-friendly plants, and native species, students gain a deeper understanding of science, sustainability, and healthy eating—laying the foundation for a lifelong connection to the environment.

MISSION

The Ready, Set, Grow! program cultivates curiosity, environmental stewardship, and healthy habits in young learners by providing hands-on gardening experiences rooted in sustainability, nutrition, and science. Through immersive, nature-based learning at our City of Miami Child Learning Centers, we empower children to grow food, care for the earth, and discover the interconnectedness of all living things. The program also incorporates nutrition education for students and families, expanding access to fresh, nutritious produce and supporting healthy lifestyles at home and in the community.

VISION

We envision a future where every child has access to green spaces that inspire learning, nourish bodies, and nurture a lifelong respect for nature. Ready, Set, Grow! aims to be a model of sustainable education and food equity, planting the seeds for healthier communities, empowered youth, and a thriving planet.

Family Nutrition Program Garden Support

In Partnership with the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) 

Family Nutrition Program

University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension’s Family Nutrition Program (FNP) brings hands-on gardening experiences to our three Child Learning Centers. Research from the University of Florida shows that garden programs encourage children to taste and enjoy more fruits and vegetables, fostering healthier eating habits from an early age. Through FNP, schools receive free garden programming support, enhancing research-based nutrition education with interactive gardening activities. This includes materials, resources, and training to empower school garden leaders with the skills to manage and sustain their gardens while engaging students in the joy of growing fresh produce.

FNP is a FREE program that has been promoting nutrition education in Florida since 1996. Designed for SNAP-eligible youth, it helps children and teens make healthier food choices, develop lifelong wellness habits, and reduce the risk of obesity and chronic disease—all while having fun in the garden!

Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program

In partnership with the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension, the Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) offers FREE Nutrition Education Series available to eligible participants. This hands-on, practical series is offered on-site at our Child Learning Center, making it easier for families to participate and gain valuable skills that support lifelong health.  The program fosters better meal planning, smart grocery shopping and basics of food safety.

EFNEP is designed to empower individuals and families with the tools they need to make healthier choices every day.

2024 EFNEP IMPACT REPORT(PDF, 3MB)

Ready, Set, Grow! Impact Report
Discover how our Ready, Set, Grow! program is planting seeds for a healthier, greener future. Through hands-on gardening and outdoor exploration, children are learning about nutrition, science, and the natural world—all while developing lifelong healthy habits and a love for nature. Explore the impact we're making, one garden at a time.

Coming Soon

Want to experience an incredible day of gardening with the Ready Set Grow program? Watch our kids immersed themselves in the world of nutrition, learning hands-on about plant care and the magic of home-grown goodness.

WATCH

PHOTOS