Rooted in community. Growing for the people

Our Mission

At Black Sheep Gives, our mission is to empower the next generation by blending the values of sustainable farming, agricultural education, and athletic development to strengthen communities from the ground up.

Through hands-on experiences in farming, nutrition, and elite sports training, we equip youth — especially those from underserved areas — with the tools to grow physically, mentally, and emotionally.

We are committed to fostering resilience, leadership, teamwork, discipline, and a strong sense of community — preparing young people not just for success on the field, but for lifelong achievement and service beyond it.

Programs

Black and white circular logo for Black Sheep Farms, established in 2021, featuring a stylized sheep's head in the center, surrounded by text that includes words like agriculture, culture, innovation, community, and future.

Farm Academy

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Basketball

Baseball

A young girl with braided hair and a white t-shirt is smiling excitedly while working with a woman in the background. They are planting seeds in small pots, wearing blue gloves, inside a workshop or classroom setting with plants and tools around.

What started as a farm has grown into a movement.

Dee Strange-Gordon returned to his hometown of Avon Park not to slow down, but to give back — starting with the soil. With the launch of Black Sheep Farms, he planted the seeds of change. But this was never just about lettuce or hydroponics. It was about creating real opportunities for youth and families in the community that raised him.

Now through Black Sheep Gives, we’re bringing services, mentorship, athletics, and education directly to Avon Park — and beyond. From training fields to farm rows, from classrooms to community centers, we’re building something bigger: a future where every child has the chance to grow strong, lead well, and give back.

Impact To Date:

  • Served over 200 youth through our Baseball and Basketball Elite programs

  • Donated more than 15,000 lbs of fresh, pesticide-free produce grown through hydroponic farming

  • Assisted with distributing over 100,000 of food to the community.

  • Reached 25+ schools and colleges through our Speaker Series

  • Supported over 1,500 families with meals, backpacks, and essential resources

  • Partnered with trusted organizations like the Boys & Girls Club, local school districts, and the MLB Players Alliance

From the Diamond to the Mission

Dee Strange-Gordon’s life has been about overcoming odds. As a two-time MLB All-Star, he built a career defined by speed, hustle, and heart. But off the field, Dee saw a deeper calling: to invest in the next generation.

After retiring from baseball, Dee started Black Sheep Farms, a 50-acre hydroponic operation, and launched Black Sheep Gives — a nonprofit rooted in mentorship, farming, and youth development.

Through this work, Dee is using his platform to teach young people how to grow their own food, train like pros, and lead with purpose.

A baseball player signs autographs for children and a man at a baseball stadium.

“You don’t have to fit in to make a difference — sometimes the ones who stand out are the ones who change everything.”

— Dee Strange-Gordon

Legacy, Love, and Lifting Others

Four men standing together at a baseball game, some wearing Los Angeles Dodgers apparel, smiling and posing for the photo.

Dee Strange-Gordon was born into the game — the son of former MLB pitcher Tom “Flash” Gordon — but his journey was uniquely his own. Raised with grit, humility, and deep respect for hard work, Dee learned early on that talent may open doors, but values are what build a life.

His father’s success gave him a glimpse into what was possible, but it was his mother, community, and hometown of Avon Park, Florida, that taught him what really matters: family, faith, perseverance, and giving back.

Now retired from professional baseball, Dee is carrying those same values forward — creating opportunities for young people in Avon Park and beyond to discover their purpose through farming, mentorship, and athletics.

At Black Sheep Gives, family isn’t just about blood — it’s about the community we grow, the roots we water, and the generations we lift up together.

Cultivating the Next Generation of Leaders

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Growing More Than Food. Building More Than Athletes.

Black Sheep Gives was born from a simple belief: every child deserves a chance to grow strong — on the field, on the farm, and in life.

Founded by former MLB All-Star Dee Strange-Gordon, our nonprofit blends the powerful lessons of sustainable agriculture with the discipline of elite athletics. Through real-life experiences in farming, mentorship, and sports, we’re building stronger youth, stronger families, and stronger communities.

We grow more than food — we grow resilience, character, and future leaders.

At Black Sheep Gives, everything we do is grounded in values that go deeper than sports or farming — values that shape strong individuals, united families, and thriving communities. These values reflect where we come from, what we believe in, and who we’re becoming — together.

Our Core Values

A basketball game with players from the Black Sheep team wearing purple and black striped jerseys. One player is sitting on the floor and holding hands with a teammate while another teammate is standing nearby. The court has a red boundary with a few spectators in the background.

  • Too many youth lack strong, positive role models — Black Sheep Gives develops confident, purpose-driven leaders through mentorship and example.

  • Food insecurity and poor eating habits are common in underserved communities — we teach young people how to grow, cook, and fuel themselves with real, nutritious food.

  • Talent often goes unseen due to lack of access — our elite sports programs create life-changing opportunities for exposure, growth, and scholarships.

  • A single conversation can change a life — we pair lived experience with encouragement to guide youth through their most critical moments.

  • Learning isn’t just in books — our hands-on farm and speaker programs bring powerful, practical lessons into classrooms and communities.

  • Life throws curveballs — we teach young people how to bounce back, believe in themselves, and push forward with discipline and heart.

  • Greatness isn’t handed out — on the farm and in the gym, we instill the values of effort, consistency, and accountability every single day.

Partners

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The image features the logos of Blue Cross Blue Shield and Cigna, two health insurance companies, alongside a black cross symbol. It suggests the theme of health and medical insurance.
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Adventure Health logo with stylized four square shapes in blue, dark green, light green, and teal above the words 'Adventure Health' in blue text.
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Upcoming Events

🎒 Back 2 School Giveaway — Equipping Kids for a Strong Start

We’re helping students head back to school with confidence! Join Black Sheep Gives for our annual Back 2 School Giveaway, where we’ll be providing free backpacks, school supplies, and fresh produce to families in need.

📍 Serving Avon Park, FL
🎒 Backpacks • Notebooks • Pencils • Healthy Snacks

Because every child deserves to start the year prepared, supported, and ready to succeed.
Stay tuned for dates and locations — or sign up to volunteer or donate today!

Give Today. Grow Tomorrow.

Your donation helps us empower youth, feed families, and build stronger communities through farming, mentorship, and sports.

🌱 $25 = A backpack of school supplies
⚾ $50 = One child’s clinic registration
🥕 $100 = A month of fresh produce for a family

Every dollar makes a difference.

In the Media

Contact Us

We’d love to hear from you!

Whether you're looking to partner, volunteer, sponsor a youth, or simply learn more about what we do, you're in the right place.

At Black Sheep Gives, we believe in building strong relationships with our community. Fill out the form and let’s grow something meaningful together.

Real Programs. Measurable Impact. Proven Results.

Group of people holding a large check and a framed certificate at a Boys & Girls Club event, celebrating a donation of one thousand dollars for a safe at home program, dated July 29th, 2022.

Black Sheep Gives was founded by former MLB All-Star Dee Strange-Gordon with a vision to create meaningful change in his hometown of Avon Park, Florida and beyond. Grounded in his family legacy of athletic excellence and his deep respect for the land, Black Sheep Gives merges elite sports training, sustainable farming, and community outreach to develop young leaders — physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Our programs are designed with a clear, replicable model that connects nutrition, education, athletic mentorship, and sustainable agriculture — offering scalable impact for communities across Florida.

Credibility stems from real results, trusted partnerships, and the personal commitment of a founder who has lived the journey — from under-resourced youth to professional athlete, and now, full-circle community leader.

We’re not just investing in the next generation — we’re proving what’s possible when you train the body, nourish the mind, and grow the future from the ground up.

Yearly Growth

Number of Children Impacted
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