INITIATIVES | littlegrowersinc

FOCUS AREAS

Through programs like the Environmental Justice Forums and Community Steering Groups, LGI aims to be a point of connection between community challenges and solutions. We also connect residents with technical experts to help design and drive community-led solutions.

Through initiatives like Summer Earn & Learn and Introduction to Permaculture, LGI creates space for youth to explore environmental justice, marine science, and food sovereignty. We provide hands-on learning rooted in climate resilience, cultural heritage, and community leadership.

LGI creates blue-green job opportunities & supports pathways to employment through training & certifications in sustainable aqua- culture, permaculture, and food entrepreneurship. We work with partners & community to ensure local voices help shape a climate-resilient, just, and regenerative economy.

LGI advances nature-based solutions through projects that address flooding, pollution, habitat loss, and food insecurity. From food forests to aquaculture systems and native plant sites, we co-design resilient spaces that reflect community needs and environmental goals.

Community Education & Connection Initiatives

Environmental and Climate Justice Forums:- “Make a Green Noise” forums engage over 500 community members in discussions on environmental justice, focusing on mapping local toxins and collaborating on climate resilience solutions. These workshops not only provide a voice to priority communities about environmental justice issues, they also provide community guidance to other LGI initiatives including green infrastructure projects and workforce development programs.
South Melbourne Steering Group - LGI facilitates a quarterly steering group meeting for 4 South Melbourne Community Based Organizations including Greater Allen Development Corporation, Concerned Citizens Committee of South Brevard, Community Development Outreach, South Brevard NAACP Unit #5115
West Cocoa Steering Group - LGI facilitates a quarterly steering group meeting for 2 South Melbourne Community Based Organizations including WLC Neighborhood Association and Destiny of Hope, Inc.
Memorandum of Community - LGI is collaborating with Community Steering Groups to design a Memorandum of Community which will detail HOW we are collaborating on the work we are doing together, ensuring every partner is being represented appropriately.
Community Science/ Weather Stations - In partnership with FIT, LGI has helped facilitate the distribution of numerous weather stations around South Melbourne, an area previously known as a “data desert” where little weather data existed. The South Melbourne area (the Brooker Heights, Briarwood, Powell-Driscoll, and Gramling Park neighborhoods) now has 7 weather stations which provide essential temperature and rainfall data to help FIT create detailed heat stress and flooding maps. This is part of the larger Space Coast RESCUE project.
Community Climate Resilience Survey - LGI is working with Buy-In Community Planning to develop a household survey and/or surveys for the project areas of South Melbourne, Colbert Circle, and Cocoa West. The survey will help to identify adaptation and resilience solutions that meet community needs.
Climate Displacement and Trauma-Informed Strategies - Partners with the Climigration Network to lead national discussions on climate displacement and develop trauma-informed strategies for community-based organizations.
Little Growers Inc G.R.A.N.D.S's - Grandma’s Rallying for Adolescent Nurturing and Development) is a heartwarming and impactful initiative within Little Growers Inc. It brings together a dynamic group of seniors who are not only passionate about fostering intergenerational connections but are also committed to supporting the growth and development of the youth in our community.

Youth Programs

Summer Earn & Learn - A 6-week paid summer program for youth ages 13–18 focused on environmental justice, marine science, and food sovereignty. Students gain hands-on experience through workshops, field trips, & leadership training rooted in climate resilience and cultural heritage. 2025 marks its 5th year.

Introduction to Permaculture - a program for youth ages 5-12 years every other Friday introducing them to growing food and permaculture principles
LGI Club Council - a youth-led, elected body of student leaders who help shape the direction, voice, and impact of our programs.

Blue-Green Jobs

Food Entrepreneurship Program - The East Central Florida Regional Planning Council (ECFRPC) is developing a Food Entrepreneurship and Climate Resilience Plan for Little Growers Inc. (LGI) to present to the South Melbourne community. ECFRPC is working with LGI to identify existing food entrepreneurship assets—such as farms, distributors, and processors—within South Melbourne and Brevard County, as well as to explore future opportunities including urban agriculture, food processing (e.g., canning), and distribution. The plan will also assess potential sites for these activities and examine City of Melbourne zoning and land use regulations, offering recommendations to support local food-based businesses.
Climate resilience is a key component of the plan. Site selection will account for flood zones, sea level rise, and opportunities to revitalize Brownfield sites. It will also include strategies to reduce the food system’s carbon footprint, such as shortening food miles and supporting local production.
This plan is one of ten projects selected for prioritization through a broader LGI initiative, Prioritizing Green Infrastructure, with completion expected by the end of 2026.
The final plan will serve as a resource for the community and a tool for LGI to engage with City of Melbourne officials on potential code updates. LGI will act as the bridge between ECFRPC and the community—facilitating public meetings, gathering feedback, and ensuring community voices shape the plan. Once finalized, LGI will also be responsible for moving the plan forward.
IMTA Training and Job Creation - In partnership with FIT, a workforce training program curriculum will be created and implemented, with the intention of equipping local residents, especially those from priority communities, with skills in sustainable aquaculture and nature-based solutions. The community will be involved with all aspects of the project from building the IMTA (Deliverable 1) to training on an established IMTA at Florida Tech to maintaining and operating the community-based system.
Permaculture Design & Maintenance Certifications - Through a partnership with Beyond Organics Design (BOD), LGI will be able to facilitate Permaculture Design & Maintenance Certifications for local community members. The training and certifications will be used to train future staff of LGI project sites including for the Crane Creek Restoration Site and Jackson St Food Forest. Using funds from the NFWF grant, LGI has contracted BOD to develop a syllabus for all trainings needed to sustain any site designed under this project. These syllabi will be used to create a training curriculum for any projects chosen for implementation, and will be due by August 2026.

Green Infrastructure

Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) - In partnership with FIT, LGI is developing a 3-tank IMTA system to grow fish, oysters, and clams for food production and Indian River Lagoon habitat restoration.
Prioritizing Green Infrastructure - this initiative is an ongoing project in both West Cocoa and South Melbourne. Workshops in both communities have been held highlighting flooding as a critical issue. Designs and a prioritization for up to 10 sites have been funded by the NFWF grant, including the
Crane Creek Restoration Project. This prioritization will inform a Coastal Resilience Action Plan
Crane Creek Restoration Project - Community Space at 823 Brothers Ave, Melbourne, FL, using nature-based solutions to address flooding, pollution, & food insecurity
Stone Magnet Middle School Native Plant Prairie - In partnership with Florida Institute of Technology's Space Coast RESCUE team, this Department of Education- funded project focuses on establishing a native plant prairie to promote environmental education and biodiversity.