The summer garden tours are a chance to unwind and relax with fellow school garden coordinators, teachers and volunteers. Each new location offers a chance to see school gardens in full bloom, learn different growing tips, techniques and exchange ideas. Most tours conclude with a pot luck meal. If you would like to host a school garden tour and be added to the schedule, please contact: rachel@msgn.org
2023 School Garden Summer Tours Schedule
June
Lincoln County
School garden tour at Damariscotta Montessori. The tour will focus on the greenhouse production along with the natural spaces students learn in. Students at Damariscotta Montessori take on the responsibility for growing produce in hoop houses, harvesting, packaging, and distributing vegetables via a CSA program. This allows them to have hands-on experience in a natural setting, while gaining important business and financial skills. Samantha Melhorm, head teacher of the Middle School, will be leading the tour which will be followed by a potluck.
- Date: Thursday June 8th at 4:00 pm
- To RSVP and receive directions please email: rachel@msgn.org
July
Somerset County
School garden tour starting at Sebasticook Elementary and then moving over to Somerset Elementary! Each tour will be hosted by the garden educators, Becky and Erin. There will be chances to tour vegetable and herb gardens, hoop houses, fruit trees and if time allows a look at a hydro-ponics system! Hear from Becky and Erin about how they have engaged students in the gardens this year and future plans to come! The tour will wrap up at Somerset Elementary with a pot luck.
- Date: Tuesday July 11th at 3:30 pm
- To RSVP and receive driving directions please email: rachel@msgn.org
Sagadahoc County
School garden tour at Mt. Ararat High School. Project G.R.O.W’s primary educational beneficiaries are high school students, ages 14-18. They are in charge of the garden creation, management, and related studies. There is a health class that will be incorporating the garden work into their curriculum and other students learn how to produce food for our own school food service. Mt Ahart has a large plot that grows vegetables, herbs and flowers. School garden coordinators, Darcy Bagget and Rebecca Norklun, will be leading a tour of the grounds, how they use the spaces will students and will host a potluck.
- Date: Thursday July 27th at 3:30 PM
- To RSVP and receive directions please email: rachel@msgn.org
August
Penobscot County
School garden tour at Old Town Elementary. Extensive school garden includes raised beds, a greenhouse, fruit trees, trail systems and forest classrooms. There are unique features in the garden such as a pollinator and a potato project as well as beautiful art work done by students throughout the grounds. Project leaders support students learning and exploring the space as well as a weekly harvest distribution in the summer free to the community. Garden coordinators will lead a tour, discuss how the community uses the space and will host a potluck.
- Date: Wednesday Aug 16th at 3:00 PM
- To RSVP and receive directions please email: rachel@msgn.org
Oxford County
School garden tour at Fryeburg Academy hosted by Jennifer Solter-Jones, the New England Agriculture teacher. Walking down to the garden area from Fryeburg Academy in Fryeburg, Maine, the difference between a traditional school garden program and the Academy’s agricultural program becomes clear: there are no raised beds and there is no greenhouse; instead, an expanse of field is tilled in long rows carefully measured by students, dotted by elevated rainwater barrels used as irrigation. Placing emphasis on hands-on lessons, labs, and group research, classes in the garden, like the New England Agriculture class, interweave scientific concepts and practical knowledge. The garden also provides the school with as much produce as possible; this year students were able to supply 367 lbs of vegetables from the school garden to the Fryeburg Academy food services and food pantry. Come see what is growing this year!
- Date: Thursday August 3rd at 4:00 PM
- TO RSVP and receive directions please email: rachel@msgn.org
