Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) volunteers, along with the LaBelle Middle FFA Chapter, help complete the new LaBelle Educational Garden. [Photo courtesy FPL]

Yshia Condezo

LABELLE- Ahead of the annual Swamp Cabbage Festival, LaBelle Middle School FFA students with the help of Florida Power and Light employees completed a new Educational Garden with signage and landscaping near Barron Park.

The event in LaBelle was one of over 20 volunteer projects across more than 10 counties that are part of FPL’s Power to Care Week that took place from Feb. 16–21. Now in its 18th year, the initiative brings hundreds of FPL volunteers together statewide as part of the company’s commitment to powering strong communities.

More than 20 volunteers spent the morning completing the new LaBelle Educational Garden by installing educational signs, hammock posts and a fountain. LaBelle Mayor Julie C. Wilkins and Commissioner Jackie Ratica dedicated the fountain. 

The volunteers also landscaped the area and planted a new pollinator garden area — creating a welcoming outdoor learning space for students and the community.

Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) volunteers, along with the LaBelle Middle FFA Chapter, help complete the new LaBelle Educational Garden. [Photo courtesy FPL]

Yshia Condezo

The LaBelle Educational garden is a living classroom, which provides the community with free food such as yuca, star fruit, avocado, and edible flowers. As well as knowledge about planting foods in their homes and the educational component that comes with it.  

This event is in partnership with the City of LaBelle, Arts of the Inland Gallery, National FFA Organization, LaBelle Middle School and Hendry County School District.