programs
2009 Education Grants Funded
Projects awarded up to $5,000
Casey Bowie - $4,772
The St. John Valley SWCD is collaborating with the New Sweden Consolidated School to implement an elementary school curriculum that teaches children agricultural concepts through an experiential learning approach. The curriculum, titled Maine Apprentice Gardener Program, consists of a yearlong series of classroom lessons, experiments and activities for third and fourth grade, with extensive teacher support materials. The aim of the program is to educate students about the importance of agriculture and the environment to their daily lives, and apply what they learn to develop a school garden. This agriculture-based curriculum is not an add-on, meeting many of the Maine Learning Results requirements. It is cross-disciplinary and provides practice not only in science, but also in language, creative arts, health and mathematics.
Kevin Duplissie - $5,000
This project will expose the 42 children at the UMO Child Study Center, their families, and 50 University students to the concepts of what agriculture provides for them and how. Using resources from Maine Ag in the Classroom, books, and other materials, two university students will lead weekly lessons, which will be followed up with growing projects, fieldtrips, and class activities throughout the entire year. The project will result in a piloted model curriculum for using agriculture in Pre-Kindergarten through First Grade classrooms. Lessons will be aligned to the Maine Learning Results. This project will foster the UMO's strong roots in agriculture to utilize college students to foster awareness in our youngest students.
Don Sprangers - $5,000
Washington Academy has produced biodiesel as part of a class research project for the past four years with lab batches from 100 ml to 15 gallons in size. In 2008 the program acquired funding for the purchase of a 40-gallon Freedom Fueler biodiesel processor. State law now prohibits the use of "home brewed" biofuels for ground transportation. Washington Academy will be retrofitting their existing 21 x 48 foot greenhouse with a biofuel heating system that will enhance course offerings by creating a four-seasons greenhouse that will be used to grow produce for the school cafeteria. It is the goal of the students in the Ecology program, Health class and Culinary Arts class to provide, prepare and consume locally grown vegetables in our school's food service program.
Margaret Pietrak - $2,875
"Let-tuce Sustain You!" aims to promote sustainability in agriculture through hydroponics. Maine gardens are viable for only a short growing season, yet hydroponics provide a local alternative for fresh produce in the winter. Students will learn about plant physiology and nutrient needs through hydroponic growing experiments. Speakers will share knowledge on nutrient requirements and plant physiology plus share research on growing plants on fish hatchery wastewater. Students will visit Backyard Farms, participate in videoconferences and in turn teach local elementary students what they have learned. Lettuce grown will be served in the school cafeteria.
Richard Rudolph - $5,000
Students at the Bonny Eagle Middle School in grades 6 – 8 will be involved in growing food in the solar greenhouse project. Lessons are fun, hands-on and tied to the Maine Learning Results. Utilizing an Americorp Vista volunteer, students will explore the food system, food insecurity, ecological approaches to growing food, nutrition, and the importance of physical activity and healthy diets. Throughout the 2009 – 2010 school year, students will grow produce for their own school cafeteria as well as local food pantries, giving students a chance to contribute to their community as well.
Projects awarded up to $1,000
Kat Coriell - $1,000
The Maine School Garden Network, affiliated with the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, is dedicated to supporting and promoting educational gardens for children of all ages in Maine. Grant funds will be used to update and expand the interactive website and database and create and print a brochure for publicizing the program to teachers, administrators and regional organizations.
Dottie Bell - $1,000
This agricultural project will include all 120 students at this school. All students will grow, eat and sell products from this project. They will learn experientially about the goodness of food grown in their own backyard.
Connie Woods - $975
The 4-H Club in Cooperation with the local elementary school will provide instruction and information on agriculture in Maine both past and present. After working with students in 2009 through “Read ME Agriculture” both teachers and students were excited to learn more about agriculture. All 799 students will be involved throughout the year.
Sarah Sparks - $1,000
Schools and 4-H groups in Cumberland County will now have access to equipment and materials needed to do embryology units involving hatching chicks. Requests may be made to the CE office to borrow one of four incubators and equipment and materials needed to complete the process. Staff time will be provided by the Cumberland County Cooperative Extension.
Ron Howard - $1,000
Funding will be used to expand the already successful poster contest for students in grades 3 - 12 to all 5 towns in the local school district. Students start by learning about locally grown nutritious food from their local farmer. The project culminates with the poster contest as a graphic organizer showing just what they have learned.
Melissa Brandt - $1,000
Connecting Children to Agriculture in Southern Maine is an after school program for children in grades 2 - 4 at Waterboro Elementary School for a 6-week session. Once a week they visit a local farm. Using lessons from Project Food, Land and People, students will participate in art, reading, games and activities. Students will create a soil tunnel to share with other schools and libraries.
Lorna Fake - $800
This project will introduce healthy snacks to a second grade classroom 4 days a week for 8 weeks and ask them to bring their own healthy snack on Fridays as an assessment. Students will learn about local farms and meet farmers. They will learn the origin, preparation and nutritional value of eating healthy.