From Field to Garden: Former

from September 2022

Cheering for Team Chloe: September

From Field to Garden

Former Bucs Safety and Super Bowl MVP, Dexter Jackson, Showcases His Talents on a Different Type of Field

by Brie Gorecki, photos provided by Dexter Jackson

Dexter Jackson grew up in the small town of Quincy, Florida, where he spent time with his family growing and preserving vegetables and fruit. That enjoyment is something that stuck with him throughout the years, as did the reports he remembers hearing about food shortages and childhood obesity. Recently, he was able to use that passion and drive to help make a change to a local community here in Tampa.

Jackson helped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers win their very first Super Bowl in 2003. He was also named MVP that season, the first safety to win the award since 1973. He then went on to play for the Arizona Cardinals before returning to play for Tampa in 2004. He moved on to the Cincinnati Bengals and wrapped up his professional career with the Florida Tuskers (United Football League) in 2009.

Today, Jackson is still adamant about helping the Tampa Bay community and serves as the Youth and Recreation Manager for the Tampa Housing Authority, a nonprofit organization. In early 2021, he was able to work with the Tampa Super Bowl LV Host Committee to create a community garden as part of their Forever 55 program.

The Forever 55 program was created to support and implement long-lasting legacy initia-

tives throughout Tampa Bay. A $2 million dollar investment by the local host committee and the NFL allows them to focus on pillars that best reflect the needs of the community. “We worked closely with the community to find out exactly what those needs were,” says Claire Lessinger, vice president of events for the Tampa Bay Sports Commission. The pillars identified were early childhood education, food insecurity, families, health and wellness, sustainability, systemic justice and microgrants. “We wanted to make sure whatever we did would have a lasting impact.”

Former Bucs Safety Dexter Jackson uses his green thumb to help grow produce at a community garden.

For Jackson, this was an opportunity for him to give back to the community while sharing his passion for something he grew up loving. Thanks to a

microgrant from the Forever 55 program, a community garden was created at The Oaks at Riverview Community Center, which is run by

the Tampa Housing Authority. One of the most important parts of this project for Jackson was making sure that kids were involved. “I want to help teach kids how to be self-sufficient. Gardening is good for their mental health and gets them outside.”

The garden was a hit as soon as it started. “Everyone wanted to get involved and offered to help, from kids to grandparents.” There was a ton of encouragement from the community and Jackson began to see the satisfaction and sense of accomplishment from those who were helping out. “The kids were filled with joy and would get excited to say, ‘I grew this!’” The garden has also inspired kids to think about their futures. “We’ve been using the fruits and vegetables to make healthy shakes, so I told them, ‘Maybe you’ll start a juicing business one day.’”

To make the garden as efficient as possible, they plant seasonally. The garden began with greens and since then, they’ve grown an array of vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, corn, carrots, a variety of peppers, and peas. They’ve also grown fruit, including cantaloupe, watermelon, blackberries and blueberries. Though there is a limit on how much they can take to ensure there’s enough to go around, parents and kids are free to pick whatever they’d like.

One of the most notable impacts is how the program has given the kids the tools they need to become healthy. With the prices of food skyrocketing, it’s also given families peace of mind to know that they can have healthy options on their table. Thanks to Jackson and the Forever 55 program, the garden has made a lasting impact on the community that only continues to grow stronger. “We really credit Jackson as a great partner,” Lessinger says. “This is a passion project of his. He’s an inspiration.”

To learn more about the Forever 55 program, visit tampabaylv.com/forever-55. If you want to follow Dexter to see the progress of the garden, you can find him on Instagram @djacksonmvp.

CHRISTINA ANTON GARCIA, ESQ. MARITAL & FAMILY LAW

Christina Anton Garcia is an award-winning Tampa Bay attorney with over 14 years of experience practicing exclusively Marital and Family Law. Mrs. Garcia has demonstrated professional achievement and garnered countless recognition in her industry. Along with numerous other honors, Christina has been recognized by Super Lawyers for many years and possesses a superb 10 out of 10 rating on Avvo. A fourth-generation Tampa native and active member of the community, she leverages legal knowledge and extensive experience to provide her clients with the highest level of representation. Christina is focused on the best possible outcome for her clients whether in the collaborative process, the courtroom or a mediation setting. Combining energy, conscientiousness and dedication with legal knowledge and experience, Christina Anton Garcia is dedicated to helping clients achieve the best possible outcomes in family law cases. Education: J.D., University of Florida Levin College of Law; B.S. and B.A., University of Florida

106 S. Tampania Ave. Tampa, FL 33609 (813) 907-9807 TampaAttorneys.com