Fort Myers High School graduate Meagan Farmar has earned Girl Scouting’s highest honor – the Gold Award – with her project entitled, Healthy Kids.

Meagan was inspired to address a common issue among children: not wanting to eat their vegetables. She established a vegetable garden program at Milestones Learning Center in Estero, with the help of children who attend the center.

Contained in recycled tires brightly decorated with paint, the mini-gardens give children a chance to be directly involved in the growth and harvest of produce. By learning how to grow their own vegetables and incorporate them into tasty, healthy snacks, the children become more excited about eating healthier foods. They also learn first-hand about what plants need to grow and the importance of caring for the garden every day.

“I got the kids to want to work together, and to share with each other because our garden was a team effort,” said Megan, who is now a freshman at Florida Southwestern State College.

The Girl Scout Gold Award represents the highest achievement in Girl Scouting. Open only to girls in high school, this prestigious award recognizes girls who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through remarkable Take-Action projects with sustainable impact in their communities. 2016 marks the 100^th anniversary of the Girl Scout Gold Award.

Be inspired and learn more about Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida’s other 2016 Gold Award recipients.

~Lori Tomlinson is the Manager of Communications and Marketing for Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc.