The Maine School Garden Network announces the 4th annual

School Garden Open House

Saturday, September 27, 2014

 
Plan now to hold an Open House event at your school garden,
in conjunction with Maine Harvest Lunch week.

Open your garden to the public, provide tours,
have fun and educational activities.

Generate support for your garden program
among parents and the community.

Help your students show pride in their hard work.

Recruit new volunteers and supporters for your garden.

Help to publicize school gardens in Maine!

Click here for info on planning your event; email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with questions.

Grant Opportunities

ReTreeUs is accepting applications for 2014 Educational School Orchards.  The orchards include signs to make orchards accessible to students for self-guided tours. The organization also leads workshops on the educational and nutritional importance of growing food locally and at home. 

A $500 Do Something Seed Grant is given out every week to community action projects.  These grants can be used towards project ideas and programs that are just getting started or projects that are already developed and sustainable. 

The National FFA Organization is pleased to announce the availability of funds, to help fight hunger, in the form of a competitive grant for chapters. The FFA: Food For All grants support National FFA’s Feeding Our World – Starting at Home initiative.

The New England Grassroots Environment Fund has a SEED grant available to help volunteer groups launch and build their newly evolving project(s). The deadline is rolling, with decisions made in about three weeks. The range is $250 to $1,000. 

The Edible Schoolyard has compiled a list of fundraising resources and best practices for writing grants.

Maine Agriculture in the Classroom Grant Program: The Maine Agriculture Specialty License plate revenues make $60,000 available again this year! Many thanks to these license plate owners! Schools and non-profit agriculture education initiatives across the state may apply for this competitive funding. Last year 35 programs were funded across the state in amounts ranging from $1,000 - $5,000.

To donate to the MSGN:

Please make your check out to:
Maine School Garden Network

and mail to:

Maine School Garden Network
28 State House Station
Augusta, Maine
04333

Thank you for supporting educational gardening in Maine!

About Us:

Our Board of Directors meets monthly, on the third Tuesday of the month, in Brunswick. If you'd like to join us, or just have a question or comment, please email Kat Coriell, board chair, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Please contact the MSGN Coordinator at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with questions, to schedule a school visit, or suggest resources for the website. 

Even though our name specifies "school" gardens, be assured that we promote educational gardens of all persuasions, whether they are located at a public school, private school, community garden, summer camp, private educational organization, home school, or elsewhere.

The Maine School Garden Network collaborates with various state organizations, including Maine Ag in the Classroom, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Healthy Maine Partnerships, and the Maine Farm to School Network.

Visit the website of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association for a wealth of information and a full calendar of regional events.

Board Members

Kat Coriell, Chair, Landscaper

Rebecca Jacobs, Vice Chair, Knox-Lincoln County Soil and Water Conservation District

Laura Budde, Secretary, FoodCorps

Willie Sawyer Grenier, Treasurer, Maine Agriculture in the Classroom

Mary Ellen Doyle, Maine CDC PAN-HW Program

John Harker, Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry (nonvoting member)

John Ibsen, Ferry Beach Ecology School

Ellen Libby, University of Maine Cooperative Extension (nonvoting member)

Vina Lindley, University of Maine Cooperative Extension (nonvoting member)

Pam Lanz, Manchester School gardener and retired School Counselor

Eric Tadlock

Richard Hodges, ReTreeUS

Jamel Torres, Healthy Androscoggin

Welcome to our website!

Check out our Garden Directory for an overview of some of the many educational gardens in Maine.

If you currently have an educational garden, please register it in the Directory!  Our goal is to have a complete listing of school gardens in Maine, not only for documention, but to give you a chance to network with other garden coordinators.

If you're looking for specific information on school gardening, check out "Quick Start To a Garden" or the Resource section.