School Garden Caretakers Grant

Over the years MSGN has noticed that many school gardens benefit from a paid garden educator position. Although volunteers are wonderful, and compensation and structure of these positions surely varies, paying a school garden caretaker can be key to establishing consistency through the summer and even getting a spot (similar to a coach’s stipend) in the school budget (Check out the School Garden Coach Handbook). The investment in a paid position can help increase recognition of the school garden program and also elicit commitment from both the caretaker and the school.

With that in mind the Maine School Garden Network is pleased to announce that we have received two years of funding from the Sewall Foundation to offer an annual grant of $2,000 each to five School Garden Caretakers!

To qualify for a School Garden Caretakers grant, schools must have:

a Maine school garden program (of any size, capacity, involvement level)
a listing in the MSGN Garden Directory (which can be added now)
someone who is willing to be a School Garden Caretaker
and the support of the school administration.

We are happy to report that Maine Agriculture in the Classroom will administer the online grant application process.

The deadline for applications is August 31st, 2023. Applications will be reviewed quickly, and checks will be mailed out in mid-September. A simple final report will be due by August 1, 2024.

Thank you, Sewall Foundation for your support of School Garden Caretakers!