Organizations across 10 Maine communities will share $500,000 in state grants to expand local food production and agricultural education through the construction of greenhouses.
The Community Greenhouse Grant Program was created during the pandemic to help reduce Maine’s dependence on imported foods.
“Growing up in rural Maine, I developed a great respect for the value of planting, growing and harvesting fruits and vegetables, but not everyone has the space or the know-how to run their own garden,” said Gov. Janet Mills.
“I am hopeful that this program, like the Victory Gardens of World War II, will bring Maine people together, teach people of all ages to grow their own food and help more communities become self-reliant,” she added.
The grant program builds upon a $20 million investment to strengthen farm and food processing infrastructure through the 2022 Agricultural Infrastructure Investment Program as part of the Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan.
Grants of $15,000 to $100,000 were awarded to projects across the state through a competitive process.
Full list of recipients
- Alfond Youth & Community Center in Waterville
- Healthy Acadia in Washington County
- Healthy Island Project in Stonington
- Limestone Community School
- MSAD 33, Valley Unified Education Service Center in St. Agatha
- Oxford Hills Community Gardens/Alan Day Community Garden in Norway
- Portland Community Squash
- Regional School Unit 50 in Dyer Brook
- University of Maine in Swanville
- Veggies to Table in Newcastle
“Whether located at a school, nonprofit, community center or public institution, these greenhouses will become places where people learn, grow food together and strengthen local food systems for years to come,” said Amanda Beal, commissioner of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.
