Ricker Farm
The School at Sweetser
50 Moody St
Saco, ME 04072
Category
School Vegetable Garden, Nutrition Education/Cooking with Students, Nature Education, Non-profit Organization, Other
When was your garden project started?
In the 1970s
What type of facility hosts your garden?
Private School
What does your garden project include?
Vegetables, Flowers, Fiber Production, Composting Bin, Vermicomposting, Greenhouse, Hoop House, Chickens/Other Animals, Cooking or Taste Testing in Classroom, Nature Study, Fruit Trees
Who volunteers in your garden?
Teachers, School Staff, Students outside of school day, College Students
How is your garden project funded?
Budgeted School or Community Funds, Donations, Sale of Seeds, Plants, Vegetable
What community connections do you have?
Local Farmers, Food Pantries, Local College
Who tends the garden when school’s out?
Summer school students, Paid staff, Me!
What are your future goals?
Ricker Farm has been an active part of Sweetser for many decades, and as we now run as part of the school, we are always working towards more classroom/farm integration, as well as working more with alternative eduacation students in the community. We also hope to use more of our garden produce in our school lunch program.
What is your most significant need?
We run both a vegetable and an livestock farm. Right now our biggest need is probably for a small trailer that could transport two horses, llamas, sheep or cattle to and from the vet, when needed. We would also love to be able to us it to “bring the farm” to local schools, since many do not have the funds to come here for field trips any more.
Any other comments?
We are a private special purpose school for special education students and welcome visitors to the farm, but ask that you call first to make sure that it is a good time to visit – the farm number is 294-4740.
