The Maine School Garden Network

Let’s Keep Growing: A Workshop about School Gardens April 2nd, 2005

The Maine School Garden Network is an informal group working to share ideas, resources and contacts to support the school garden initiative. Our working model is one of sustainable gardening practices.

NEWSLETTERS December 2004 September 2004 April 2004 December 2003 February 2003

Using a school garden as an educational resource for all learners has become an important part of implementing the Maine Learning Results in many Maine schools. The Network is interested in connecting as many schools as possible and expanding its contacts and usefulness.

The Network recognized that what was badly needed was a way to link already successful Maine projects to those with questions "Who, How and What made it work?" A brochure has been developed to provide some contacts to help answer these questions and is available through : Mary Bird, University of Maine College of Education and Human Development, 581-2434
mary.bird@umit.maine.edu (please put "MSGN" in subject line).

Let's Keep Growing: A Workshop about School Gardens

Maine schools are using gardens and greenspaces to inspire learning in many exciting ways. Learn from colleagues and share your experiences as you enjoy interactive workshops, networking roundtables, and a plenary session with Maine’s First Lady, Karen Baldacci. After a vegetarian lunch, participants will meet with members of the Medomak Valley HS community to learn about Maine’s heirloom vegetables and tour the school’s successful garden, greenhouse, and heirloom seed operation.

Preregistration required
Registration Fee (includes lunch, snack, & materials) - $25.00
Continuing Education Unit (0.5) (optional) - $ 5.00

Please make your check payable to MOFGA, and mail, with name, address, phone, & e-mail info, to:

Mary Bird, College of Education and Human Development, University of Maine, Orono ME 04469.

Questions? Call Mary Bird, 581-2434, or E-mail mary.bird@umit.maine.edu.

What a Way to Grow!

The Maine School Garden Network is an informal group working to share ideas, resources and contacts to support the school garden initiative.

Using a school garden as an educational resource for all learners has become an important part of implementing the Maine Learning Results in many Maine schools.

The Network recognized that what was badly needed was a way to link already successful Maine projects to those with questions "Who, How and What made it work?

This brochure will answer some of those questions and provoke an ongoing set of questions that can only be answered by implementing your own school garden!

Contacts to help you...

Claire Ackroyd
Garden Program Coordinator
United Technologies Centre, Reg IV/Voc/Tech
HS Bangor, ME 942-5296
RClaire@AOL.com

Eli Rogosa Kaufman
Sustainable Schools:
-- School Composting
-- K-12 Interdiciplinary Gardening Projects
-- Seed Saving and Breed Your Own Vegetables
52 Mayflower Hill Dr., Waterville, ME 04901 872-9093
humus1@netvision.net.il
www.growseed.org

Jo Barrett
Organic Farmer Mumanities Teacher
Liberty School, Blue Hill, ME 04614
374-2886 Kinghillfarm@acadia.net

Dana Bean 6th Grade teacher
Norridgewok School
634-3121
Merlin@Tdstelme.net

Mary Bird
University of Maine College of Education and Human Development
581-2434
mary.bird@umit.maine.edu (please put "MSGN" in subject line).

Gary Bosk
Principal
Troy Howard Middle School, Belfast, ME 04915 338-3320
gbosk@sad34.net

Gretchen Ebbeson
Mt. View HS Thorndyke, ME 04986 568-3255

Mark Hibbn
Liberty School Science Teacher
P0 Box 187 Brooksville, ME 04517 374-2886
Mark@downeast.net

Anne Johnson
MOFGA EdCom
100 Bennoch Rd., Orono, ME 04473
dining@maine.edu.

Rick Kersbergen
Extension Education UMCE
Waldo, ME 04915 342-5971
richardk@umext.maine.edu

Terry Kuzell Teacher Drinkwater School, Belfast, ME 04915 338-3430 Tkuzell@sad34.net

Neil Lash
Jon Thurston
Heritage Seed Project
Medomak Valley HS
320 Manktown Rd.
Waldoboro, ME 04572 832-5389 neil_w_jash@msad40.avcnet.org
thursty@gwi.net

Ed Lindsey Science
teacher
East Corinth Central School
edwardlindsey@umit.edu

Joan Morrison
Organic farmer
Charleston, ME 04422 285-3581

Preston, Dawn
School Health Coordinator
Troy Howard Central Office, MSAD #34
Lincolnville Ave., Box 363 Belfast, ME 04915 338-3320
dpreston@sad.net

Elizabeth Patton
Healthy Foods From Healthy Soils
Nutritionist
106 Bow St., Freeport, ME 04082 865-0050
healthyfoods@gwi.net

Beedy Parker MOFGA, (h) 236-8732 Camden, Me 04843. BeedyParker@earthlink.net

John Pincince
Islesboro HS
Lincolnville ME 04849 734-2251
ashgrove@fexar.com

Cohn Stewart
Greenhouse IPM Specialist
UM Coop Extension
491 College Ave., Orono, ME 04473 581-2967
cstewart@umext.maine.edu

Bob Young
Superintendent, MSAD 34
P0 Box 363 Belfast, ME 04915 338-1960

Don White
Agric. Coordinator, MSAD #34
Troy Howard Middle School & Drinkwater School in Northport ME
338-1960

References

Digging Deeper: Integrating Youth Gardens Into Schools & Communities: A Comprehensive Guide, Joseph Kiefer & Martin Kemple Food Works, Montpehier, Vt. 05602 - A step by step practical guide from Vermont's knowledgeable team of educators at Food Works. Well organized, easily implemented.

Easy Compost: The Secret to Great Soil & Spectacular Plants, Beth Hanson, Editor Handbook #153, Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, 10006, Washington, Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11225. A user friendly guide to making compost. If designer compost piles seem impossible, don't worry! This book helps to make good compost with whatever is on hand.

Healthy Foods From Healthy Soils: , Hands-On Resource for Teachers, Elizabeth Patten & Kathy Lyons. lllus. by Helen Stevens. Tilbury House Publishers, Gardiner, ME 2002 publication! - Simple concepts and fun activities illustrate how quality soil is the basis for nutritious foods, which in turn are the basis for healthy bodies.

The New Organic Grower: A Masters Manual of Tools & Techniques for the Home & Market Gardener, Eliot Coleman, Illus by Mary C. Cook & Short Arnsel, Chelsea Green, White River Junction, Vt. The best, complete guide to becoming a competent organic grower. Everything from tools to soil prep, variety selection, crap & harvest timing & more.