Coconut Creek High School is getting new funding to
expand hands-on science learning through a competitive grant from the Florida
Farm Bureau. The Florida Farm Bureau Grant awards Coconut Creek High $250 to
support its on-site school garden.
The Florida Farm Bureau created the grant program to help
schools across the state establish or enhance gardens where students gain
practical experience with pollinators, native plants, food production, and
water conservation. The program is new for the 2025–2026 school year and is
competitive, with schools statewide eligible to apply. Coconut Creek High is
among the awarded schools receiving funding this cycle.
While the award amount is $250, school leaders view the
grant as a meaningful investment in experiential learning. A school garden
transforms science from theory on a page into something students can observe,
measure, and maintain. Students track plant growth, study soil composition, and
examine how water conservation practices affect outcomes. They learn about
ecosystems in a setting that requires care and responsibility. According to the
executive summary, the measurable outcome centers on helping students make
important classroom to real-world connections through visual and hands-on
learning opportunities.
The funding carries no additional financial impact to the
district. The executive summary states that the positive financial impact comes
directly from the Florida Farm Bureau, with no added cost to Broward County
Public Schools. For taxpayers, that detail is significant. It means
instructional enhancements are supported through private grant funding rather
than local property taxes or reallocated district funds.
In an era when school districts must stretch every
dollar, competitive grants like this one provide flexibility. A relatively
small infusion of funds can supply seeds, soil, irrigation materials, or tools
that allow teachers to integrate agricultural science, environmental studies,
and sustainability lessons into the curriculum. Over time, those lessons
reinforce broader district goals tied to science proficiency and school
support.
The garden also serves as more than a science lab. It can
become a space for interdisciplinary learning, where biology intersects with
environmental stewardship and even community service. Students who participate
in maintaining a living garden often develop stronger engagement with
coursework because they see the results of their work firsthand.