Copy
Newsletter: January 2021
Happy New Year! As we dream about the upcoming growing season, take a moment to look through the resources below including upcoming events, updates on Maine School Garden Day, and more!

Maine School Garden Day - Stay Tuned
 


Maine School Garden Day is in the works! We are currently working to plan a safe Maine School Garden Day and are weighing several options that will keep everyone safe, but still allow our broad network of educators to convene, learn, and share. Stay tuned for more information as details are cemented. 

 

MONTHLY GARDENING IDEAS:
February


 
  • Focus on classroom garden related activities /curriculum and planning for spring gardening.
     
  • Visit food service director or school manager regarding what to grow that they can use. Have students meet with them as a class or select individual students to interview them and report back to the class (es).
     
  • Consider hosting a lesson on seed packets and the info they provide and selection of flowers (if growing them). Select veggie seeds and materials after meeting with food service staff.
     
  • Map out where you want things to grow using crop rotation and companion planting. Keep maps from season to season.
     
  • If growing in an unheated hoop or green house, start hardy greens (lettuces, spinach, mustards, radishes, etc.) by the end of month and do succession planting over the next six weeks or so.
     
  • Read through MSGN's School Garden Coach Manual and identify areas of growth for your garden!

Check out our MONTHLY SCHOOL GARDEN CHECKLIST to learn more about what this month looks like in the garden! For even more information, try out these awesome resources: MOFGA's Planting Calendar, Fedco's Veggie Chart, and Johnny's Planting Calculator and Succession Planting Template. 

Upcoming special scholarship opportunities here in Maine!

 

Maine Agriculture in the Classroom recently awarded grant money for various projects including glazing a greenhouse, restoring a hoop house, the planting of fruit trees, and more.  If you have a special project in mind, stay tuned for details about MAITC Pandemic Scholarships due on April 1st (more information available in February).  


Another local funding opportunity is currently available through the Russell Libby Agriculture Scholar awards.  Applications are due on March 31st and more details are available on the MOFGA website. 
Three Ways to Support MSGN
 
Method 1:
 
When you shop at smile.amazon.com, Amazon donates. Please consider choosing Maine School Garden Network as the recipient of the charitable contributions you generate by shopping! Here's our unique charity link: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/46-1015017 . 
 
Method 2:
 
We spend the year supporting school gardens. Please take a few moments to show your support for MSGN and the work we do across the state by making a tax deductible contribution to our organization. Visit msgn.org/donate to make an online contribution via PayPal or mail a check to: Maine School Garden Network, 28 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333. 

Method 3:
Maine School Garden Network is actively looking for interested people to serve on our board. The board supports the mission and work of the Maine School Garden Network to promote and support educational gardens for youth, and to encourage school programs which teach healthy eating and environmental stewardship. As an MSGN board member there are many opportunities for you to serve, including executive committee and program committee roles. More details are available upon request. If you are interested in becoming an MSGN board member, please contact: info@msgn. We hope you will join us as we strive to support school garden programs in Maine!
Maine Harvest of the Month
January is Maine Potatoes!
February is Maine Maine Root Vegetables!

















Local heroes disguised as nutrition directors and cafeteria staff are making sure youth stay fed across Maine. Catch up on all the details and learn how your school can participate in the Harvest of the Month program by visiting the DOE website.
For more HOM curriculum resources, Maine Ag in the Classroom has pages on the Teach ME website!

A HUGE thank you to our SPONSORS!

                  
     
                       
Stay Engaged:
Upcoming Events

 

2/3 - Building Community Interest and Investment in your School Garden  (webinar)

2/12 - Growing Seedlings Indoors with MOFGA (webinar)

2/5-2/26 - Food Solutions New England: A Virtual Series

2/16-3/2 - Maine Food Convergence (online)

3/22-3/26 Read ME Agriculture 

4/6-4/7 - Nutrition During the Pandemic: Trends and Triumphs 

4/7-4/8 - MEEA Annual Statewide Environmental Education Conference (virtual)

For other upcoming events check out: 
Maine Audubon
North American Food Systems Network 
MOFGA

Funding Opportunities

 

1/8 USDA Farm to School Grants

2/1 The Flannel Shirt Fund Grant

2/1 The American Honda Foundation Grants

4/1 MAITC Pandemic Scholarships 
Up to $1,000 for Maine agricultural education projects for PreK – 12th grade students, eligible to schools and other non-profit organizations, that have experienced challenges due to COVID 19. More information will be posted on   www.MaineAgintheClassroom.org in February.

MSGN's School Garden Coach Manual:  a collection of resources including ideas other schools have used to fund their garden efforts.
Like
Like
Visit
Visit
Follow
Follow
Share This Newsletter Share This Newsletter
Tweet It Tweet It
Pass It On Pass It On
Copyright © 2021MSGN, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
28 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list






This email was sent to <<Email Address>>
why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences
Maine School Garden Network · 28 State House Station · Augusta, ME 04330 · USA

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp