2017 Grants / Awards
Youth Micro-Enterprise Program Grant; The Knight Foundation
Youth micro-enterprise program and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) expansion. This program will engage local youth in the creation of a micro-enterprise utilizing the farm as the product source.
National Association for County and Community Development (NACCED)
Award of Excellence
California State Association of Counties (CSAC)
Challenge Award in the category of Agriculture, Energy, and Natural Resources
The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO)
Program Innovation Award; Community Revitalization
2016 Grants / Awards
Bronze Eagle Award; Los Angeles County Quality and Productiviy Commission
The Growing Experience was awarded the Bronze Eagle Award for its expanded community services through the water-efficient Aquaponics System, Community Food Forest, and Food Waste Composting Program.
Boeing Community Investor Grant
Installation of renewable solar energy project to offset electrical consumption onsite. In addition to energy savings, the project will serve as a community education and demonstration feature.
Neighborhood Partners Program Grant, City of Long Beach
Revitalization of the Carmelitos Senior Rose Garden and installation of benches, picnic tables, racks, trash receptacles, and message board.
Green Leadership Award Finalist, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
In recognition of The Growing Experience’s environmentally sustainable initiatives notably, the vertical tower aquaponics system, food waste composting, and Food Forest projects.
2015 Grants / Awards
Local Foods Promotion Program Planning Grant, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Research and development of a feasibility study for implementing “The Growing Experience Food Hub” with the goal of aggregating and distributing locally and regionally-produced agricultural food products to increase affordable access.
Urban and Environmental Policy Institute
Development and implementation of agricultural educational Farm2Preschool programming for local HeadStart preschool students.
Neighborhood Partners Program Grant, City of Long Beach
Installation of interpretive signage throughout the site and interactive programming with a local biologist, to educate and engage community residents on The Growing Experience’s diverse ecology.
2014 Grants / Awards
Urban Food Forest Grant, CA Natural Resources Agency
Installation of 1.5-acre Food Forest modeling permaculture techniques which feature drought-tolerant plants with an herbal or edible value.
Productivity Investment Fund Grant, Los Angeles County Quality and Productivity Commission
Installation of a vertical tower aquaponics food production system, to demonstrate sustainable food producing, and skills training for underserved youth.