[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6144493,"mediaKeyId","5534084-1bd707e2f9b21570766971265cafe0bc","parentId",5534084,"title","Ideas for Us describes USDA-funded ‘‘Fleet Farming’’ program that served seniors in Sebastian","audioSeconds",872,"startMs",1984000,"endMs",2856000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5534084-1bd707e2f9b21570766971265cafe0bc&start=1984&end=2856","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5534084-1bd707e2f9b21570766971265cafe0bc/thumbnail_1984000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6144493/Sebastian/Indian-River-County/Florida/Ideas-for-Us-describes-USDA-funded-Fleet-Farming-program-that-served-seniors-in-Sebastian","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6144493-c3c645ce68f5501f03f19f3efaa2628e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773584077&Signature=Reu9nOl8VQXBPXxaq9h-QMtJEo-WM5XEXzCkWCuZ3tm2lgpMGR4M3OI~OgJGCzllJm49F2S7PJS7d2tY0z0pAyveamo5aMQZqD4GLfIIUQ7h~Dj6th7KpX9E4K~IbODS6HXd1dHLZzknd5uYRZnUqefY5NXI9uamJ6WVDcGCtdLvUCrDtt4jKCuhOjDEie8jundyHGk4Va3Mlf4BGE9--XIaF17KiOWZzNpP4QK53Mu4e7HYc~-wfa9H9CsIR3Tpvqko3hPKY8mQeJszaWbXaQzYlVCP4uEtwrIfPLilRhOzsP0hm5DwllI5YMxwLcfcIFuh4L27yVphYisHeDK5vA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Sebastian, FL","date","2025-08-06T02:45:45.107Z","article","Ideas for Us told the City of Sebastian Natural Resource Board on Aug. 5 that a USDA grant-funded Fleet Farming program converted lawns into micro-farms, reached hundreds of local seniors with gardening and nutrition classes and produced donated vegetables for community distribution. The presenters said their Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (UAIP) grant ran from 2022–2025 and focused on senior food security in Indian River County.

The presentation matters because organizers said the program addressed senior food insecurity while building neighborhood connections and local food production that can persist beyond the grant term. \"We have the amazing opportunity of being part of a USDA grant, all to help seniors with food security,\" Ideas for Us Chief Operations Officer Caroline Komanix told the board.

Organizers described Fleet Farming as a program that converts underused lawns into small, intensely managed vegetable plots and uses bicycles to move between sites. Caroline Komanix said the Sebastian project created five urban farm plots, multiple community garden sites and orchards. \"We created 2 massive community gardens, multiple tree orchards that will generate produce for years to come,\" she said. Farmer and program lead Danae Reddington said the program prioritized hands-on volunteer and education days at senior living sites and memory-care facilities, and added nutrition classes to help seniors use fresh produce once it was available: \"It helped to create and build a community within the seniors that kind of gave them a sense of purpose.\"

Program results stated during the presentation included an outreach goal that the presenters said exceeded 900 Indian River County seniors and production figures the presenters described in different places during the talk (organizers said both \"over a thousand pounds\" of food and \"over 200 pounds\" of harvested produce in different slides). The presenters also said they established on-site gardens at multiple assisted-living and memory-care facilities and hosted farmers-market sales in which SNAP tokens were accepted. When asked how SNAP worked at markets, Komanix said customers receive tokens that are exchanged for produce and that token reimbursement helps cover the costs of seeds and supplies.

Presenters said the federally funded UAIP grant expired July 1, 2025. Komanix told the board the group is seeking new funding and looking at other USDA programs; board member Thomas suggested local nonprofit funding sources and another board member mentioned a contact, John Zarlan, who might have funding leads. Komanix said program staffer Reddington continued to support local activities on a volunteer basis after the grant ended.

Board members asked about partnership opportunities with local food banks and city programs and flagged the Sustainable Sebastian initiative as a possible collaboration point. No formal action or city funding request was taken at the meeting; the presentation was informational and board members expressed interest in following up.

Clarifying details restated from the presentation: the UAIP grant ran from 2022–2025; presenters reported outreach to more than 900 seniors; presenters described establishing five urban farm plots and several community gardens in Sebastian and Indian River County; the presenters gave differing production figures in slides (quoted as both \"over a thousand pounds\" and \"over 200 pounds\"). Presenters said SNAP tokens used at farmers markets are redeemed to support program costs. The grant term ended July 1, 2025, and organizers said they are seeking new funding.

Organizers said they would follow up with city staff and local nonprofits on potential collaborations and funding leads.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","August 5, 2025 - Natural Resources Board","oneSentenceSummary","Ideas for Us told the City of Sebastian Natural Resource Board on Aug. 5 that a USDA grant-funded Fleet Farming program converted lawns into micro-farms, reached hundreds of local seniors with gardening and nutrition classes and produced donated vegetables for community distribution.","taxTitle","Sebastian , Indian River County, Florida","taxId",52013,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6144489,"Local oyster farmer introduces Treasure Coast Shellfish and offers partnership with Sustainable Sebastian",130,3229000,3359000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5534084-1bd707e2f9b21570766971265cafe0bc&start=3229&end=3359","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5534084-1bd707e2f9b21570766971265cafe0bc/thumbnail_3229000.jpg","/articles/6144489/Sebastian/Indian-River-County/Florida/Local-oyster-farmer-introduces-Treasure-Coast-Shellfish-and-offers-partnership-with-Sustainable-Sebastian","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6144489-6e28b4619859efd2a6601ccbace3cc5b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773584077&Signature=jB4cNt3X-s2SrF7QeogasXdfKHsvoNx1dndW9WvkkuQe5Dkz3xlcw05KdtRHhuct9oH2T6DAIvKWUHCn5jJCfyeNkkCS19sbPqygEPVEceqGQ28ooilg9bpdluI5-JDaM22Xs-sJ-GXf8ivJGs0dGxSwmYtgSNxweR16vw28hatweY2qspdB9VLsGA8J8ZVJSPxar-~gnoNxj-h~cIu16Yum4ANAWN5fjPuXOgKW-Q6PRtKCngdfosHDdA6fLOmnwzc5NhNa~Rt6JUu2jJMlzcJc~~60KFQ7w0BoLzDylAe6s68eNIEba0PgJWFXVR~0f8Q~MqwQfoy462skLg3YBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Nicolette Mariano, founder, president and aquaculture biologist of Treasure Coast Shellfish, introduced her business to the City of Sebastian Natural Resource Board during public input on Aug. 5 and offered to collaborate with the city’s Sustainable Sebastian initiative.

Mariano said she is the only oyster farmer in Indian River County and the only woman-owned and -operated oyster farm on Florida’s east coast that she is aware of. She described leasing just under seven acres of state public waterway north of Pelican Island and operating about 500 floating oyster cages. \"I am your only oyster farmer in Indian River County and the only woman owned and operated oyster farm currently on the entire East Coast of Florida,\" Mariano told the board.

Mariano said the farm has created three-dimensional habitat that has, in her observation, supported seagrass and attracted juvenile lobsters, blue crabs, snapper and other species. She asked to be involved in Sustainable Sebastian outreach and education and offered farm tours for board members or the public.

Board members thanked Mariano and asked whether she had seen ecological improvement over the six years she has operated the farm. Mariano said the farming year-to-year is challenging because of drought, heat and hurricanes but that she has observed signs of ecological recovery, including seeing a bay scallop two years prior — an observation she described as notable for the Indian River Lagoon.

No formal city action was taken; Mariano’s remarks were delivered during the public-input portion of the meeting and were recorded for the public record. The board invited Mariano to present at a future meeting and to coordinate with staff on possible tours or educational visits.

Clarifying details: Mariano said the farm leases just under seven acres of public waterway and uses just over 500 floating oyster cages; she said she has operated the farm for six years and offered to provide a future presentation and tour.","Nicolette Mariano, founder and aquaculture biologist of Treasure Coast Shellfish, told the Natural Resource Board on Aug. 5 that her oyster farm leases just under seven acres north of Pelican Island and operates roughly 500 floating oyster cages.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6144479,"Natural Resource Board assigns Sustainable Sebastian goals, schedules fall events and approves tropical holiday parade theme",860,3752000,4612000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5534084-1bd707e2f9b21570766971265cafe0bc&start=3752&end=4612","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5534084-1bd707e2f9b21570766971265cafe0bc/thumbnail_3752000.jpg","/articles/6144479/Sebastian/Indian-River-County/Florida/Natural-Resource-Board-assigns-Sustainable-Sebastian-goals-schedules-fall-events-and-approves-tropical-holiday-parade-theme","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6144479-8c076e13a93908e110e6e91472aa168e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773584077&Signature=BVUcAvCZUltt2s6XY3W2NTSP2vjc2rIHVdKsk6cR9pjVKF1dsSkcBN3Mh7OuXWoTdnBwkSBrvX9Sxd2NrUawiSymggDTUYQFTHNc6uDuBQ9qI4pFyCX67N~zUAFXyUfNjhBzrBhw9ZLE~Ntje~7-jtZTGDNZ40UxxWcADrNSIXTAtuUi7fb42e3nRk-wn3FhK7QwUIQ4ulZV~W58PJ2ESleNGZhttnoL0p~zgQuVqstk5CEn7rFFY2KM0YyqDDp15u20wySMC61b~1iA397cuS9v6ONCxDFet9-vtPJa5MSjqNQBP2iJJkzPiId7ib9WVq~uupkwp2N8Qp5sihEbTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff and Natural Resource Board members on Aug. 5 divided responsibilities for the Sustainable Sebastian plan, reviewed an events calendar for fall 2025 and agreed to participate in the annual Christmas parade with a tropical-themed float.

Felicia Gordian told the board she reassigned the duties normally held by a board member who was absent and split them between Deborah Shellenberger and Frank Trinkle. Gordian said Shellenberger will champion goal 3 (reducing single-use plastics and local cleanups) and goal 19 (promoting parks and green spaces), while Trinkle will champion goal 14 (reducing the city's operational footprint, recycling) and goal 16 (stormwater best-management practices and water-quality protection). \"Deb is going to be handling goal 3...Frank has goal 14...and goal 16,\" Gordian said.

The board reviewed a fall events calendar staff presented and discussed children's activities for Touch and Tour (Saturday, Sept. 13) and Sebastian Kids Fest (Saturday, Oct. 4). Board member Frank Trinkle proposed a hands-on activity called \"Plant Your Own Pollinator Basil,\" in which children would pot pre-rooted African blue basil cuttings, receive a care sheet and take the plant home. Trinkle said he could supply cuttings and soil and run the activity at multiple events with two weeks' notice to prepare the plants.

On new business the board voted to participate in the city’s Dec. 6, 2025 Christmas parade. Board member Tom moved the motion and Laura Thompson seconded; the motion passed with unanimous affirmative votes from members present. After approving participation, members discussed float ideas proposed by absent member Donna Ware: a tropical \"Protect Our Paradise\" theme with signage such as \"Stop buying single-use plastics,\" \"Plant natives,\" and \"Recycle the right way.\" Board members generally supported a tropical motif and discussed logistics including generator power and music. There was informal agreement to reuse donated holiday decorations, to seek a favorable parade position near the front, and to explore quiet generator options for music on the float.

Staff also noted several other upcoming items: a tentative living-docks workshop in partnership with Indian River County (planned for Sept. 19) to prepare dock wraps for installations, the International Coastal Cleanup (Sept. 20), and ongoing coordination for volunteers and staffing at events. Gordian said she will provide staffing templates and ask board members to report scheduling conflicts early. The board adjourned with no further formal motions on the events or program assignments beyond the parade participation vote.

Clarifying details: Touch and Tour is scheduled for Sept. 13; the living-docks workshop is tentatively set for Sept. 19; International Coastal Cleanup is Sept. 20, 9–11 a.m.; Sebastian Kids Fest is Oct. 4, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Christmas parade is Dec. 6 at 6:30 p.m.; the parade participation motion passed unanimously with the mover, Tom, and seconder, Laura Thompson; the board agreed by consensus to pursue a tropical float theme and identified generator/power, music and float placement as logistical items to resolve.","City staff and Natural Resource Board members on Aug. 5 divided Sustainable Sebastian responsibilities, reviewed a fall calendar of community events and approved participation in the Dec. 6 Christmas parade with a tropical float theme.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6144484,"City debriefs Treasure Coast Waterway Cleanup; site organizers estimate about 150 pounds of debris collected",52,3630000,3682000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5534084-1bd707e2f9b21570766971265cafe0bc&start=3630&end=3682","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5534084-1bd707e2f9b21570766971265cafe0bc/thumbnail_3630000.jpg","/articles/6144484/Sebastian/Indian-River-County/Florida/City-debriefs-Treasure-Coast-Waterway-Cleanup-site-organizers-estimate-about-150-pounds-of-debris-collected","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6144484-41becea741bc5cb0a5db162999f792c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1773584077&Signature=ouEgaIc6Ueq5tFPlskU43UEHkPTLPEggQ2ga4v~WvFm2yaL7ZjHIaSUxikoM7kJhr9QsqdpZiAj1QsYiyAMGyi7RnztyXHtnTvY5F5LvwNgRi-6sy~dSX3rAcUdcCEQxoR2vBjcCXo~As2N2TtDxYqVZLcOcbiugTjpcTlgBlPtFWLvTDoyVvRn6YbPaMLogSR6TzSsd5bEEfXpwa6VRAUT8jW3spTG~HvU14pTISMqQQknkZ5sCQ31l5JkCHNxWv4N0~Gsb~gt6T5mmSHOHqz7UIdjE9HVToHDHN5nvwfp1LFquXxmEWCeNEqeA6C8d2a1JvhxHkWz64jhK1bv9Cw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff briefed the Natural Resource Board on Aug. 5 about the Treasure Coast Waterway Cleanup and said Sebastian’s site had robust volunteer turnout and notable reductions in observed litter compared with previous years.

Felicia Gordian, staff supporting the Natural Resource Board, said the Sebastian cleanup site had more than 30 in-person participants and about eight virtual participants; site organizers estimated roughly 150 pounds of debris collected. \"At our site alone, we have had over 30 in person participants...we were estimating that we had over a 150 pounds collected of debris,\" Gordian said.

Board members who participated said they noticed less trash than in prior years. One board member suggested mandatory residential garbage pickup that was introduced recently might be reducing the amount of litter placed in public receptacles or dumped near launch sites; Gordian and others said outreach such as the Leave No Trace campaign at boating areas could also be contributing to reduced debris.

Gordian said she expected additional, more detailed statistics from the Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast in the coming week and will share a fuller debrief when those numbers are available. Board members thanked volunteers and local partner organizations, including the Sebastian Elks Club, which Gordian said provided substantial support at the site.

The briefing was informational; the board did not take formal action. Clarifying details provided at the meeting included participant counts (30+ in-person; 8 virtual), a preliminary debris weight estimate (~150 pounds) and plans for staff to distribute full cleanup statistics after receiving the Marine Industries Association’s report.","City staff reported the Sebastian site had more than 30 in-person participants, eight virtual participants and an estimated 150 pounds of debris removed; board members discussed whether mandatory curbside pickup and Leave No Trace messaging might be reducing litter","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Ideas for Us describes USDA-funded ‘‘Fleet Farming’’ program that served seniors in Sebastian

Local oyster farmer introduces Treasure Coast Shellfish and offers partnership with Sustainable Sebastian

Natural Resource Board assigns Sustainable Sebastian goals, schedules fall events and approves tropical holiday parade theme

City debriefs Treasure Coast Waterway Cleanup; site organizers estimate about 150 pounds of debris collected