Governor Janet T. Mills (D), Addressed Attendees at the First Aannual Housing Conference at Oean Gateway Several Years Ago..

This afternoon the Mills Administration announced the  award of $500,000 to 10 Maine communities to expand local food production and agricultural education through the construction of durable, shared-use greenhouses.

Governor Mills conceived the Community Greenhouse Grant Program during the pandemic when market and supply chain disruptions exposed Maine’s dependence on food imported from other states and countries.  From a student-run farmers market in Limestone to food pantries in Oxford County, to inner-city after school gardening programs in Portland, the program, created in last year’s biennial budget, will provide grants to help communities, schools and nonprofit organizations purchase greenhouses to increase local food production, extend their growing season and teach the next generation how to grow food.

“These projects represent an investment in Maine communities and the next generation of growers,” said Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Commissioner Amanda Beal.  “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.”

Community Greenhouse Grants of $15,000 to $100,000 were awarded through a competitive process for the purchase and construction of permanent greenhouses.  Projects must be designed to increase local food production and access, expand agricultural and nutrition education, foster partnerships among schools, nonprofits, municipalities and community organizations and create lasting resources that serve residents beyond the grant period.

The Grant Receipients are:

Alfond Youth & Community Center, Waterville; Healthy Acadia, Washington County; Healthy Island Project, Stonington; Limestone Community School, LImestone; MSAD 33-Valley Unified Education Service Center, St. Agatha; Oxford Hills Community Gardens, doing business as Alan Day Community Gardens, Norway; Portland Community Squash, Portland; Regional School Unit 50, Dyer Brook; University of Maine System, acting through the University of Maine, Swanville; and Veggies to Table, Newcastle.

Specifically, the Portland Community Squash, Portland will purchase and install a greenhouse to improve food access and expand food-systems education for its diverse membership. Produce will be used in sliding-cale cafe meals, sent home with students and grown in member garden plots, including reduced-cost and no-cost plots for families facing financial barriers.  The greenhouse will also provide hand-on agricultural and cooking education to Portland public school students participating in the organization’s youth progams.