What is the Maine Farm & Sea to School Institute?
The Institute supports Maine schools to increase healthy food access, create a culture of equity & wellness, and strengthen their local food systems.
The Maine Farm and Sea to School Institute is a year-long professional development program designed for Maine schools, districts, and early childhood education (ECE) centers. The Institute brings teams together to build relationships, skills, and a collaborative action plan for Farm & Sea to School (FSTS) programming. This programming enhances student learning, promotes local food procurement, and strengthens connections to Maine’s farming and fishing communities.
With the support of a Coach, teams will focus across the three core areas of Farm to School: Classroom, Cafeteria, and Community. (learn more about the 3 C’s).
By the end of the Institute, teams will graduate equipped with the tools, resources, and shared leadership necessary to support one another and their FSTS action plans across their school or district.
Key Dates 2025-2026
Applications Open: January 6, 2025
Informational Webinar: January 9, 2025 (watch recording)
Applications Due: March 14, 2025
Selected Teams Announced: April 4, 2025
Kick-off Academy Program: July 21-23, 2025 (in person)
Commitment
This year-long program begins with an immersive 3-day in-person retreat, where teams collaborate to build Farm & Sea to School Action Plans that address their unique community needs. Following the retreat, teams will implement their action plans throughout the school year with ongoing support from dedicated coaches. Throughout the year, teams will receive mentorship and guidance to ensure successful execution and will become part of a growing alumni network.
June 2025: Virtual Orientation - Participate in a virtual orientation and connect with your Institute cohort. During this session, teams will begin their learning and be paired with a dedicated Farm and Sea to School Coach, who will provide ongoing support throughout the school year.
July 21-23: The Academy Program - Attend our in-person residential retreat at The Ecology School in Saco, ME. Dive into Farm to School action planning, work with your coach, network with peers, and engage in hands-on learning within a living laboratory. Learn more about The Ecology School campus.
September-May: Throughout the school year, you and your team will meet regularly with your coach to implement your action plans. Participate in a virtual mid-year check-in with the 2025-2026 Institute cohort, attend virtual workshops, and provide feedback for program growth through an evaluation process.
June 2026: Teams will come together for a year-end virtual gathering to celebrate success and collaborate on challenges. You will work with your coach to establish an action plan for the year to come.
Alumni Teams: Join a growing network of schools and teams across Maine dedicated to building and sustaining Farm & Sea to School programming. Through alumni gatherings, you'll have the opportunity to learn from peers and share strategies for ensuring the long-term success of your program.
Watch the Institute in Action
Learn more about the Institute’s kick-off retreat—a 3-day in-person Academy Program at The Ecology Center in Saco, ME
video from Just One Look Media https://www.justonelookmedia.com/
Join a community of school teams who have benefitted from the Institute
“The institute will train school communities and other stakeholders to establish their own farm to school programs and explore approaches to promote student nutrition education, including school gardens and local food sourcing.”
— UMaine News
2025-2026
Learn more about this year’s application and selection guidelines.
Want to learn more?
In the News
Maine school lunch trays are being taken over by locally grown foods
“Between 25 and 30 percent of the overall food budget in the Falmouth school department is spent on locally grown, raised and processed ingredients either directly from farmers or on food grown by students on the Falmouth school campuses. School districts around Maine are doing the same thing and now…”
Maine Partners Launch Farm to School Institute with Support from USDA Service-Learning Grant
“A new Maine Farm to School Institute for rural middle and high schools will focus on sourcing local food and cultivating student leadership in food and agriculture.The U.S.”
Collins, King Announce Nearly $225,000 to Expand Sustainable, Nutritious Meal Options in Maine Schools
“Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the University of Maine has received a total of $224,963 to create a new Maine Farm to School Institute, which will connect schools with locally grown food and educate rural middle and high school students about nutrition.”
New Farm to School Institute being created for Maine
ORONO — A new Maine Farm to School Institute for rural middle and high schools will focus on promoting and sourcing local food, and educating students about what they eat.
Maine’s 1st Farm & Sea to School Institute Launch
New program launched to bring more local food to Maine schools
“Every school district is unique, with resources available to them, and so by schools developing their own plan, it really fits their community, their needs, what they have going on and where they want to go with farm to school," Falmouth School Nutrition Director Martha Poliquin…”
Maine Partners Launch Farm to School Institute with Support from USDA Service-Learning Grant
“A new Maine Farm to School Institute for rural middle and high schools will focus on sourcing local food and cultivating student leadership in food and agriculture.The U.S.”
Collins, King Announce Nearly $225,000 to Expand Sustainable, Nutritious Meal Options in Maine Schools
“Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the University of Maine has received a total of $224,963 to create a new Maine Farm to School Institute, which will connect schools with locally grown food and educate rural middle and high school students about nutrition.”
New Farm to School Institute being created for Maine
ORONO — A new Maine Farm to School Institute for rural middle and high schools will focus on promoting and sourcing local food, and educating students about what they eat.