TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Following the launch of the new Unity Gardens Initiative by Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is announcing locations where Floridians can pick up free seed packets starting Monday, May 9th, 2022.
“Food brings us together, and its production can bring our communities together,” said Commissioner Fried. “Now, more than ever, we need to work together and encourage positive civic engagement – and these gardens are a great way to do that while growing healthy foods.”
Floridians will be able to pick up their free starter seed packets starting Monday, May 9th from one of the 59 participating University of Florida IFAS extension offices that are home to a master garden volunteer program. Individuals will receive seed packets and an IFAS Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide to start their own Unity Garden. Eggplant, corn, sweet peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, and three different varieties of tomato seeds will be available.
The mission of FDACS’ Unity Gardens Initiative is to bring Floridians together to encourage positive community engagement, healthy living, better mental health, and to connect with our food systems and production. Florida gardeners are invited to share pictures of their Unity Gardens on social media using #FLcommUNITYGardens. More information about the initiative can be found here.
Participating Seed Distribution UF/IFAS Locations:
Northwest Counties:
Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Leon, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington
Northeast Counties:
Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Citrus, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Nassau, Suwannee, and Taylor
Central Counties:
Flagler, Hernando, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Putnam, Seminole, St. Johns, Sumter, and Volusia
Southwest Counties:
Charlotte, Collier, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pasco, Polk, Pinellas, and Sarasota
Southeast Counties:
Brevard, Miami-Dade, Broward, Hendry, Highlands, Indian River, Martin, Monroe, Palm-Beach, and St. Lucie
–FDACS
