School or Community Site
Messalonskee Middle School
Physical Address
33 School Bus Drive Oakland, Maine 04963
Contact Name
Amanda Ripa
Email
aripa@rsu18.org
Category
Vegetable and herb Garden, Flowers and ornamentals, Greenhouse or hoop house, Grow lab(s) or tower inside
When was your garden project started?
2015
What type of facility hosts your garden?
Middle School
What programs does your garden project include?
Integration into science classes; greenhouse club
Does your garden have a paid coordinator?
Yes
Who volunteers in your garden?
Amanda Ripa (science teacher)
How is your garden project funded?
Amanda Ripa has volunteered as garden coordinator since beginning the program in 2015 and supporting the program with many grants over the years. For the 23-24 school year our school board approved a small stipend for a greenhouse club advisor!
What community connections do you have?
I have worked with many local professionals including master gardeners, 7 Lakes Alliance, Johnny’s Selected Seeds, MEANS, Herring Gut Learning Center and more!
Who tends the garden when school’s out?
Amanda Ripa; with support from our facilities staff.
What are your future goals?
My goals include sharing with students a love of gardening, self reliance, sustainability, and a variety of ways to grow food (raised beds, tower garden, aqua-ponics, microgreens).
What is your most significant need?
To feel supported and valued by administration to continue integrating agriculture into my classroom. I’m addition, seedlings and compost are things I need every spring. Thanks to grants, the infrastructure is in place, we just have to get growing!
