Roots Academy Community Garden

A K-8 grade school located in Cape Elizabeth, Roots is on a mission to redefine the role of “school” in both the context of the community and in the lives of children. Started by Jaclyn Gallo in the Spring of 2020 in response to Pandemic learning, the classes at Roots take full advantage of their wooded campus and close proximity to an abundance of trails, parks, and conservation land. Roots aims to offer a curriculum rich in direct experience with nature that nurtures a sense of community and belonging among children, families and the world around us.

Their school garden is at the heart of their food education program, where students experience the journey of food from seed to plate. Students actively engage in every step of the process from saving seeds in the fall, starting seeds in mid-winter, planning and planting the garden as the seasons progress. They learn to care for the growing plants, harvest fresh produce and use it in on-campus cooking projects that connect them to the food they eat.

Roots garden has blossomed from a small raised bed and a few herb containers in their second year to a thriving space with six large raised beds, a perennial culinary and medicinal herb garden plus a dedicated potting shed that also serves as a shelter for outdoor lessons in inclement weather. Students take the lead in planning their garden beds, applying their knowledge of companion planting, pest management and harvest timing to ensure a bountiful and sustainable growing season.

Their newly built community farm stand provides students with the opportunity to sell their harvest, fostering an understanding of sustainability, entrepreneurship, and the joy of sharing healthy, locally grown food with the community.