Pinecrest Secures $400k USDA Grant for Everglades Earth Cycle Project
Published on February 28, 2025
A groundbreaking initiative is taking root in Pinecrest, promising to transform the way communities think about waste and environmental stewardship. The "Everglades Earth Cycle," a collaborative effort between the Village, Fertile Earth Worm Farm, the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, The Love The Everglades Movement, and Miami-Dade Commissioner Raquel Regalado's Office, is more than just a composting program—it's a vision for a sustainable future.
At its core, the program aims to create a closed-loop circular system that benefits the environment, local economy, and underserved communities. By diverting organic material from landfills within the urban matrix, the initiative generates nutrient-rich compost and soil for application in the Everglades—one of Earth's most productive carbon sinks.
Pinecrest's composting program, which has already diverted over 90,000 pounds of food waste from landfills, sets the stage for this transformative project.
Vice Mayor Shannon del Prado, who spearheaded the composting effort, emphasized the importance of listening to the community, stating, "A resident approached me with a compelling proposal for community composting. The Village Council acted. Just over a year later, we've composted 90,000 pounds of waste, diverting it from landfills. This is what local government is about listening to people and finding practical improvements to enhance the quality of life in Pinecrest.”
Pinecrest, with its population of over 18,000 residents spread across eight square miles of lush landscapes and tree-lined streets, serves as the perfect launching pad for this transformative project. Known for its spacious homes and cultural landmarks like Pinecrest Gardens, the Village has already demonstrated its commitment to environmental health through various initiatives.
The program's impact extends far beyond Pinecrest's borders. The Miccosukee Tribe, whose ancestral homeland lies in the heart of the Everglades, plays a crucial role in managing the application of the composted material. This partnership not only addresses waste management issues but also supports essential ecological, agricultural, and cultural restoration needs within the tribe's lands.
As of early 2025, the Everglades Earth Cycle is building on the success of two existing composting sites within Pinecrest. The program aims to expand significantly, with plans to add seven additional collection sites in public spaces in Pinecrest and Miami-Dade County District 7. These new sites will make it even easier for residents and businesses to participate, further reducing the amount of organic waste sent to landfills.
The initiative is not just about waste diversion—it's about behavior change and civic action. By engaging the community through farmers markets, educational programs, and convenient collection points, the Everglades Earth Cycle is fostering a culture of sustainability that could ripple through neighboring municipalities.
This program represents a unique collaboration between one of the most privileged communities in the region and one of the most underestimated. It's a story of reciprocity and kinship, where the health of the soil becomes a common goal that bridges cultural and economic divides.
As Miami-Dade County grapples with its waste management crisis, with landfills reaching capacity and development pressures mounting, the Everglades Earth Cycle offers a beacon of hope. It demonstrates how local action can address global challenges, from climate change to food security.
Looking ahead, the success of this program in Pinecrest could set a precedent for other municipalities in Miami-Dade County. As a political trendsetter, Pinecrest's actions often influence neighboring communities. The village is committed to developing a dynamic and adaptable program that can serve as a template for success across the region.
The Everglades Earth Cycle is more than just a composting initiative—it's a vision for a regenerative economy, a healthier ecosystem, and a more connected community. As it continues to grow and evolve, this program promises to write a new chapter in the story of South Florida's relationship with its land and its waste, one handful of compost at a time.