Starting in 2026 with the inaugural publication of the School Garden of the Month Calendar, the Maine School Garden Network began honoring a School Garden of the Year.
In addition to being selected as one of the twelve school gardens featured in the calendar from a photo contest held each fall, the School Garden of the Year also receives the cover image on the calendar.
All twelve school gardens featured in the calendar are honored at the annual Calendar Launch Party held each year at Maine School Garden Day where the winning photographs are revealed and celebrated with the school garden community.
2026: Mount Desert Elementary School, Northeast Harbor, ME
Mount Desert Elementary School is located in the heart of Northeast Harbor. The Growing Gardens, Growing Minds school garden began over 10 years ago championed by a principal and committee who wanted to create an outdoor classroom committed to a vision of engaging authentic learning for students from kindergarten to eighth grade.
In addition to the MSGN School Garden of the Year designation, the MDES school garden also received a State of Maine Proclamation for being the 2026 School Garden of the Year from the Members of the Senate and House Representatives sponsored by Senator Nicole Grohoski.
If that wasn’t enough excitement for one year, Patricia Kelley, School Garden Coordinator, was also recently presented with the Elizabeth Abernathy Hull Award from the Garden Club of America! The Elizabeth Abernathy Hull Award is presented to an exceptional individual, who through working with children under 16 years of age in horticulture and the environment, have inspired their appreciation of the beauty and fragility of our planet. Created in memory of Elizabeth Abernathy Hull, this award reflects her belief in the power of education and nature to shape future generations. The Garden Club of Mount Desert nominated Patty and presented the award to her at a recent club meeting when Patty was giving a presentation to the club on Mount Desert Elementary’s school garden called Growing Gardens, Growing Minds!
2027: Edgecomb Elementary School, Edgecomb Maine
Edgecomb Elementary School is located in Edgecomb. The Edgecomb Elementary School Garden has gone through various stages over the years and currently coordinates their program with support from the Rotary Club and Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens.
In addition to the MSGN School Garden of the Year designation, the Edgecomb Elementary School Garden also received a State of Maine Proclamation for being the 2027 School Garden of the Year from the Members of the Senate and House Representatives sponsored by Senator Holly Stover.
Want to know more?!
School gardens in Maine that are interested in entering photographs to be considered for the next School Garden of the Month Calendar should plan to submit an application in the fall before the annual January 15th deadline. For more information, go to For School Gardens.
