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

Download May 9th Agenda

Don't miss this event!

May 10th

Maine School Garden Day 2014 will be held at Medomak Valley High School in Waldoboro on May 10th from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Neil Lash, the MVHS students and FoodCorp Service Member, Genna Cherichello will lead garden, greenhouse and seed saving facility tours. Workshops and presentations will include Bee keeping, Grant writing, Garden Design, cooking with kids, permaculture and more! After lunchtime a panel of the 2013 MAITC Garden/Greenhouse Grant winners will present their programs.

Download May 10th Agenda

Be Inspired!

"Growing Gardens, Growing Minds"

Maine Agriculture in the Classroom Education Grants Program

The Maine Agriculture Specialty License plate revenues make $60,000 available again this year. 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.

2014 Request for Applications

FUNDING PROVIDED BY the Maine School Garden Network, 2013 USDA Specialty Crops Grant - FOR 2 Garden Projects awarded by Maine Agriculture in the Classroom Education Grants Program:

Mt Desert Elementary School – Anica Miller Rushing - $2,000
Growing Gardens, Growing Minds
Funding will be used to add a citizen science curriculum to the garden project that will improve the science, agricultural and environmental literacy component while providing nutritious local produce.

Rippling Waters Farm and MSAD#6 – Richard Rudolph - $2,000
Grounding Gardens: Sustainability Initiative
Funding will directly connect students to their food source at three elementary in MSAD#6 and help these gardens to create local garden committees to help them sustain themselves into the future

Grant Opportunities

Time & Tide Resource Conservation and Development Area is announcing the opportunity for communities to start local gardens.  One group/ school from each county, Androscoggin, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, and Waldo, will be selected based on applications to receive $250 to assist in getting materials to help establish their garden with the opportunitiy to apply for continuation funds following the successful implementation.  Application deadline is May 10.

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

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

Eric Tadlock

Richard Hodges, ReTrees Us

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.