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| Maine School Garden Network | |
|---|---|
| Name | Maine School Garden Network |
| Formation | 2009 |
| Type | Nonprofit |
| Headquarters | Portland, Maine |
| Region served | Maine |
Maine School Garden Network The Maine School Garden Network is a statewide nonprofit coalition linking educators, University of Maine, Maine Department of Education, and community partners to support school gardens across Maine. The Network collaborates with institutions such as University of New England, Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station, and local districts including Portland Public Schools and Bangor School Department to integrate hands-on horticulture with curricula. With roots in regional initiatives like the Farm to School movement and national models from Growing Schoolyards, the Network aligns with policies from the Maine Nutrition Standards and engages funders such as the Maine Community Foundation and federal programs.
Founded in 2009, the Network emerged from collaborations among educators at University of Maine Cooperative Extension, activists from Slow Food USA, and administrators in school districts including Lewiston Public Schools and Scarborough School Department. Early initiatives drew on research from Cornell University and practices showcased by American Horticultural Society and community partners like Kitchen Gardeners International. The Network expanded through partnerships with statewide efforts such as Maine Farm to School Network and national funders including USDA programs and private philanthropy from foundations akin to Kellogg Foundation and Annie E. Casey Foundation. Over time it connected with higher education programs at Bates College and Colby College and with municipal programs in Portland, Maine and Bangor, Maine.
The Network’s mission emphasizes student wellness and experiential learning, partnering with organizations like FoodCorps, Project Learning Tree, and 4-H to provide curricula and professional development. Programs include teacher trainings modeled after The Edible Schoolyard Project and curriculum resources inspired by Next Generation Science Standards and materials from National Gardening Association. Classroom integrations include science lessons informed by research at W.K. Kellogg Biological Station and nutrition components aligned with recommendations from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Seasonal programming connects to community initiatives such as Community Supported Agriculture and regional food hubs in Greater Portland.
Governance comprises a volunteer board with representatives from institutions including University of Maine, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, and independent educators from districts like Falmouth Public Schools. Operational staff collaborate with partners such as Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association and consultants from Harvard Graduate School of Education-trained practitioners. Committees oversee programming, evaluation, and development, interfacing with policy stakeholders such as legislators from the Maine Legislature and administrative offices like Maine Department of Education.
Funding streams combine grants from statewide philanthropies like the Maine Community Foundation, federal support through USDA Farm to School, and corporate or private grants modeled after awards from National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Conservation Fund. Strategic partnerships include collaborations with Portland Public Library programming, municipal parks departments in Augusta, Maine and Lewiston, Maine, and nonprofit allies such as Slow Food USA and Common Ground Country Fair organizers. The Network leverages in-kind support from corporations and institutions like L.L.Bean and Hannaford Supermarkets for supplies and distribution.
Evaluation efforts have drawn on methodologies used by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and metrics from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to measure outcomes in student nutrition, science proficiency, and community engagement. Reports reference comparative studies from University of New Hampshire and program evaluations aligned with standards from National Science Teachers Association. Impact indicators include increased fruit and vegetable consumption, improved test scores in participating schools such as those in Lewiston and Portland, and documented community volunteer hours modeled on tracking systems used by AmeriCorps.
Notable initiatives include large-scale summer installations in partnership with Portland Public Schools and demonstration gardens developed with University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association. Annual events have featured speakers and workshops drawing experts connected to The Edible Schoolyard Project, FoodCorps, and scholars from Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. The Network has hosted regional convenings alongside festivals such as Common Ground Country Fair and participated in statewide campaigns like Maine Harvest for Hunger.
Coverage has appeared in outlets such as the Portland Press Herald, Bangor Daily News, and community programming on Maine Public Broadcasting Network. Recognition includes features in education roundups curated by organizations like National Gardening Association and acknowledgments from state leaders in the Maine Legislature and municipal proclamations from cities including Portland, Maine and Bangor, Maine.
Category:Non-profit organizations based in Maine Category:Youth organizations based in Maine