Maine School Garden Day

 At Medomak Valley High School

Download Registration Form Here! 

May 9th

#1 Heritage Seed Saving Intensive with Neil Lash

Using multiple resources and websites, including the heirloom gardens, Neil Lash will cover basic to advanced seed saving for educators. The Heirloom Seed Project is an experiential learning class in which emphasis is placed on saving the genetic diversity of historical and rare seeds. Since 1900 over 90% of the named varieties of vegetables have been lost, and because of that this program involves students in historic and genetic preservation. Additionally, you will work in the Francis Cross Heritage Center which is the school's newly named Living History Arboretum. With over 30 trees and shrubs of historical significance, this arboretum has multiple educational components and opportunities for all students. 

#2 The ABC's of Starting a School Garden with Ellie Libby & guests 

Ellie Libby and guests will explore the basic process of starting an educational garden using the highly acclaimed "School Garden 101" curricula developed by Marjorie Peronto from Hancock County Cooperative Extension. This training is perfect for educators and volunteers that are interested in starting a new educational garden or taking over an established project. If you want to brush up your skills related to soil preparation, crop selection, seed starting, fundraising, and other topics this is the perfect session for you!

Limit 20 participants

Don't miss this event!

May 10th

Full day of tours, workshops and activities for teachers, volunteers and other educators interested in developing a school garden or working with an established program.

Survey for Seeds!

Tell us about your Maine school garden program by participating in our survey and we will send you free seeds, courtesy of Johnny'sSelected Seeds.  

We will share the results on our website andina future newsletter.  The data will be especially helpful to schools who rely on grants to fund their garden program.  It will also help us document the growing movement of school gardens and offer more helpful services. Please take our survey by clicking on this link.  Thanks for your input!  We are excited to learn more about what your school garden program is up to!

Be Inspired! 

"Seeding The Future"

Learning Garden Challenge

Dole Foods and Captain Planet Foundation are teaming up to host the “DOLE Fruit Bowls & Captain Planet Foundation Learning Garden Challenge.” The contest will recognize schools (K - 8) that have established school gardens that provide an occasion for learning, environmental stewardship and an understanding of the role that fresh fruits and vegetables play in a healthy lifestyle.

Schools who have existing gardens are invited to enter the challenge for a chance to win up to $5,000!  There will be five (5) finalists selected from around the country.  The Grand Prize winner will receive $5,000 and the four (4) runners-up will receive $1,000 each. All five finalists will receive a one-year supply of DOLE Fruit Bowls, and essential Learning Garden tools from Captain Planet Foundation- including a mobile cooking cart, learning garden lessons and lesson supply bins.

To enter the challenge, applicants must visit www.dolegardenchallenge.com, complete an entry form, and submit up to two photos detailing the school’s garden. The contest opened yesterday (January 29, 2014) and the entry deadline is March 12, 2014. 

Grant Opportunities

ReTreeUsis 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 Grantis 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.

Smart from the Start Grant.  With support from the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundaiton, Discovery Education and National PTA, schools and communities across the nation have the opportunity to apply for a number of grants and other prizes to help them implement a health initiative at their school.  The winning preschool will be awarded $20,000 and ten runners-up will each receive $2,500.  Early childhood education centers and school with a Pre-K program are eligible to apply by February 28.   

Apply to receive a Mantis Tiller before March 7, 2014.

The Rising Tide Cooperative Community Fundprovides $100 - $300 grants to local groups working on environment, community, food & hunger, and cooperative projects.  The next deadline is March 15, 2014.

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

Ian Hammond, Muskie School Master's Degree Candidate

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

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.