Maine School Garden Days

We had a great turnout and beautiful weather for this event.  The spectacular gardens at Troy Howard Middle school provided an excellent learning opportunity as teachers released benificial insects in the greenhouse, prepared food in the outdoor classroom and considered making the best use of space by building a vermicomposting system in the walkway of a hoop house.  Teachers shared their successes and challenges, learned how to start a garden, incorporate the garden in their curriculum, and save seeds.  Presentations by teachers awarded Maine Ag In The Classroom grants were inspiring and lead to thoughtful conversations among attendees.  We thank all of our presenters, attendees and exhibitors.  We are already looking forward to next year!

Welcome Ryan Fahey!

The Maine School Garden Network is pleased to announce our new coordinator, Ryan Fahey. Suzanne Balbo has stepped down from the position, but will remain an active board member for the MSGN. Ryan is the owner and operator of Crescent Run Farm in Bremen, ME.  She is eager to assist with your school garden and can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 207-287-2232.  Please give Ryan a warm welcome!

The Maine School Garden Network announces

The 3^rd Annual School Garden Open House

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Save the Date!

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

Promote your Garden Project!

~ Highlight your student’s successes and achievements ~
~ Build support among your staff, parents and community ~
~ Reach out to new volunteers and donors~

Click here to get more info

Grant Opportunities

   Maine Initiatives is supporting grants through The Flannel Shirt Fund. The Flannel Shirt fund will award grants of up to $400 to classrooms or small groups. If several classrooms or groups are connecting on a project, the cap is $1,200. Application deadlines: June 1, October 1, February 1.

  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.

   Maine Agriculture in the Classroom is offering School Garden and Greenhouse Grants for up to $2,000. Deadline for applications is June 15, 2013.

   Time & Tide Resource Conservation & Development is offering mini grants to start or expand school gardens in Androscoggin, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc and Waldo counties.  Deadline for applications is June 7, 2013.

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.    

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. .

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

Suzanne Balbo, Educator and Farmer

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)

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!