Growing Good

Ellen C. Wells

Coast of Maine’s Growing Good Program reached the 2,000-garden milestone, helping schools, nonprofits and community gardens transform outdoor spaces into classrooms, food gardens and wellness hubs. Each project they’re involved in connects soil, science and people through shared purpose and organic growth.

Through the Growing Good Program, Coast of Maine partners with local retailers—folks like yourselves—to provide donations of their soil and other supplies. More than 200 IGCs have participated by donating Coast of Maine soil to 629 school and non-profit gardens in 38 states. Examples of who’s benefited from the program include:

• The Congregation Beth Israel Ner Tamid in Wisconsin created an educational garden that blends environmental stewardship with intergenerational learning.
• In New York, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County’s 4-H program is building a sensory garden where students explore mindfulness, pollinators and plant life.
• In Massachusetts, The Marion Institute is helping communities grow health and wellness through its urban food initiatives.
• In Colorado, Boulder County Public Health and early childhood programs across the region are engaging young learners in garden-based education—teaching science, math and ecology through planting and harvest.

And those are just some of the projects that have benefited communities across the nation. It’s not just Coast of Maine making the local impact—it’s you folks who do the groundwork of donation and education. Pat yourselves on the back for a making a difference. Visit coastofmaine.com to find out more. GP