Northeast

Support for the Northeast

Beginning in 2024, we are piloting a model for providing Kids Garden Community members with more regional and local support. "Kids Garden Northeast" is focused on supporting educators and families in the Northeast states and will address the most highly requested support, including facilitating a space of networking and connection on a local level and providing resources and peer-to-peer learning on the topics of fundraising, community engagement, regional climate considerations, accessibility, and curriculum development. Kids Garden Northeast will address the commonly expressed need for a centralized hub and directory to help members find and navigate the organizations, networks, and resources available to them on a regional level.

Join the discussion group to meet state coordinators and participate in peer-to-peer discussions and virtual meetups. Scroll down or click on the states below to view the key youth garden-based resources in your state and region.

Northeast Resources

Organizations and Networks

Northeast Organic Farming Association
Offers technical garden/farm support, event promotion, professional development, information on organic growing, and conferences; check out your state NOFA chapter

Farm to Institution New England
Provides resources to institutions related to supply chains and supports sectors such as schools, campuses, health care facilities, prisons, and more

Northeast Farm to School Collaborative
Collective group of Northeast state leads led by Vermont FEED that engages in networking, peer sharing, collaborative projects, policy, and convenings




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Event Spotlights

Northeast Farm to School Institute






Connecticut

Organizations and Networks

NOFA CT
Offers technical garden/farm support, event promotion, professional development, information on organic growing, and conferences

CT Farm to School
Provides support in the areas of local food procurement, school gardening, and farm partnerships for teachers, students, farmers, and food service workers

New Britain ROOTS
Supports urban ag, food access and garden education throughout New Britain

Yellow Farmhouse Education Center
In-person and virtual professional development and kids programming related to culinary and farm-based education

Connecticut Grown
Supporting producers of Connecticut-grown ag products

AUER Farm
Offers farm field trips and educational programming for farm to school and families

Common Ground
Offering professional development and support for school gardens, outdoor classrooms, high school environmental programming, and community programming

CT DEEP - Project Food, Land, and People
Provides educational materials and support for formal and informal educators related to agriculture and ecology

FoodCorps CT
FoodCorps service members serve at multiple schools throughout the state supporting gardens and farm to school work

CT Botanical Society
Providing information on native plants and leading field trips

UCONN Master Gardeners
Offer technical garden support and volunteer hours for school, home, community, and nonprofit gardens

Maine

Organizations and Networks

Maine Farm & Sea to School Network
Provides support in the areas of local food procurement, school gardening, and farm partnerships for teachers, students, farmers, and food service workers

Maine School Garden Network
Maintains a school garden directory, offers resources for school gardens, and organizes garden tours

UMaine Cooperative Extension
Vast offering of resources and technical support for home, community, and school gardens; includes 4H programming and a network of volunteers including Master Gardeners

Maine Agriculture in the Classroom
Supports educators and students with agricultural education through programming, events, grant funding, and curriculum resources

Cultivating Community
Supports community gardens, school gardens, and community farms with a focus on immigrants and people of color in Southern Maine

ReTreeUS
Provides garden implementation support and orchard plantings to schools

Food Fuels Learning
Oversees action groups supporting food access and school gardens in Portland area schools

Massachusetts

Organizations and Networks

MA Farm to School
Provides support in the areas of local food procurement, school gardening, and farm partnerships for teachers, students, farmers, and food service workers

MA Master Gardener Association
Provides technical gardening assistance, public gardening programs, and volunteer help with ongoing garden needs

Marion Institute - Grow Education
Work with New Bedford public schools to develop community gardens that support the advancement of STEM curriculum

Mass Audubon
Conservation org that offers nature-based learning programs for students and professional development on teaching outdoors

CitySprouts
Partners with elementary schools in Cambridge and Boston to support school gardens with in-school, after school, and summer programs

Island Grown Schools
Farm to school program on Martha's Vineyard supporting schools on the island through farm field trips, school gardens, and classroom learning

New Hampshire

Organizations and Networks

NH Farm to School
Provides support in the areas of local food procurement, school gardening, and farm partnerships for teachers, students, farmers, and food service workers

NH Audubon
Offers educational programming, workshops, and field trips for schools and homeschools

ReTreeUS
Provides garden implementation support and orchard plantings to schools

Grow Nashua
Connects Nashua residents to community gardening opportunities, classes, free farm stands, educational resources, and more

Cornucopia Project
Offers school garden programming for pre-k to 5th grade, cooking classes, internships, and summer programming on the educational farm

Upper Valley Farm to School Network
Supports educators, farmers, and communities in the Upper Valley with networking and resources related to farm to school

UNH Extension
Vast offering of resources and technical support for home, community, and school gardens; includes 4H programming and a large network of volunteers including Master Gardeners

NOFA NH
Offers technical garden/farm support, event promotion, professional development, information on organic growing, and conferences

Prescott Farm
Offers environmental education programming, camps, and field trips

NH Ag in the Classroom
Provides learning materials, lesson plans, educator workshops, School-to-Farm days, in-class presentations, and consultations related to ag literacy for youth

Stonewall Farm
Offers on-site and off-site farm based education programs to students from preschool to high school

NH Project Learning Tree
Offers workshops and resources for educators teaching about nature and NH forests

New York

Organizations and Networks

NOFA NY
Offers technical garden/farm support, event promotion, professional development, information on organic growing, and conferences

NY State Farm to School
Provides support in the areas of local food procurement, school gardening, and farm partnerships for teachers, students, farmers, and food service workers

Cornell Cooperative Extension
Provides support for farm to school, technical advice, educational resources, and volunteers for garden programs

NYC Parks Green Thumb
Supports a network of community gardens and volunteers in NYC

Harlem Grown
Supports urban gardens and farms in Harlem and offers youth programming, tours, and community events

GrowNYC
Provides technical assistance, funding, infrastructure support, and educational resources to school and community gardens

Green Guerillas
Supports community gardens in NYC and provides educational resources for youth and training programs




Funding

 






Event Spotlights









Rhode Island

Organizations and Networks

URI Cooperative Extension
Provides school garden mentors (Master Gardeners) to assist with new and existing school garden programs

RI Farm to School
Provides support in the areas of local food procurement, school gardening, and farm partnerships for teachers, students, farmers, and food service workers

Southside Community Land Trust
Supports a network of community gardens and urban farms in Providence, Pawtucket & Central Falls; offers youth work programs and summer educational programs

Farm Fresh RI
Supports schools, libraries, preschool/daycare settings, community centers, farms, and senior centers with educational garden programming, cooking demonstrations, farmers markets, and summer camps

Aquidneck Community Table
Serves Aquidneck Island community with community gardening support and youth educational programming including a youth empoyment program

Rhode Island Healthy Schools Coalition
Provides support for developing and implementing school wellness policies




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Event Spotlights








Vermont

Organizations and Networks

NOFA VT
Offers technical garden/farm support, event promotion, professional development, information on organic growing, and conferences

VT Garden Network
Provides resources and support for community gardens, school gardens, farm-based gardens and more; maintains a garden directory

VT Farm to School and Early Childhood Network
Provides support in the areas of local food procurement, school gardening, and farm partnerships for teachers, students, farmers, and food service workers

Vermont FEED
Supports multiple VT organizations offering technical assistance, professional learning, educational resources, and advocacy support

Food Connects
Supports Farm to School in Southern VT, offers consulting throughout New England, and manages a Food Hub

Upper Valley Farm to School Network
Supports educators, farmers, and communities in the Upper Valley with networking and resources related to farm to school

Green Mountain Farm to School
Supports Northeast Kingdom schools and communities with ag education and school gardens, a mobile learning kitchen, and regional food hub

Shelburne Farms
Provides professional development, workshops, educational resources, field trips, and summer programs