In this special episode of the Growing Good podcast, host Cameron Bonsey chats with Richard Hodges, founder of RetreeUS, as they celebrate a major milestone—the planting of the 100th school orchard since 2012! Discover how RetreeUS has impacted over 30,000 students, provided 150+ lbs of fruit to schools and food pantries, and built lasting legacies in communities. Learn about Richard’s inspiring journey, the benefits of school orchards, and how you can get involved in supporting this amazing mission. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a comment with any questions or feedback! #GrowingGood #RetreeUS #SchoolOrchards #GardeningForGood #SustainableFarming

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🌊 Stay Connected with us for more gardening tips, community initiatives, and behind-the-scenes content! :

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Music by: Cameron Bonsey
Editing by: Cameron Bonsey & Gabi Sott
Publishing by: Lorry Hulbert
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Join us in this inspiring episode of Coast of Maine's Growing Good podcast as Dagny Kream‪ @thecottagepeach takes us on her journey of transforming a simple garden into a flourishing ecosystem with the help of Coast of Maine's premium soils. Through challenges and triumphs, Dagny shares her experience in sustainable gardening, offering insights into soil choices, companion planting, and the importance of diversity in the garden.

Marguerite Wiser, Farm Manager at The Ecology School at River Bend Farm in Saco, Maine talks about no-till farming and agroecology to provide produce for The Ecology School while teaching attendees and apprentices organic best practices. The farm garden is laid out in quadrants and cultivated according to soil texture, fertility and sunlight. They soil test the each quadrants annually using the lab at the UMaine cooperative extension. Pest management is based on organic practices producing strong, healthy disease resistant produce, physical removal and crop rotation. You can’t be afraid of bugs if you help on the farm! The Ecology School at Riverbend Farm is an amazing location for experiential learning while connecting to the natural world. TheEcologySchool.org

In 2018, Eric and Christopher Feml-Nelson embarked on an epic gardening adventure on their half-acre suburban lot. With zero gardening experience but a big dream, they took one look at their bland landscape and decided it was time for a makeover. What started with a few trips to local garden centers quickly turned into a passionate journey of discovery and growth, fueled by the magic of YouTube gardeners. Fast forward six years, and their garden has blossomed into a stunning oasis, brimming with specimen trees, over 170 hydrangeas, nearly 100 roses, and a diverse collection of shrubs, perennials, and evergreens.

Documenting their journey, they share their triumphs and trials on Instagram @growingformegardening and YouTube @GrowForMeGardening, inspiring and educating fellow gardening enthusiasts.

Their cottage garden advice? Plant colors and varieties that inspire you. Tackle your garden in small segments, each becoming a unique chapter in your garden's story. With each success, you'll add a new chapter, creating a beautiful, ever-evolving garden to enjoy during peaceful morning walks, family gatherings, and to share with and inspire thousands of Instagram and YouTube followers.

Tune into this episode of the Growing Good Podcast to learn how to transform any space!

Maddie Kartoz grew up in the Garden State, where a farmhand job sparked her love of local food and agriculture. They are now the GARDEN OPERATIONS MANAGER with City Sprouts managing 24 public school gardens, 12 in Cambridge and 12 in Boston. She builds a culture around each garden turning them into thriving school garden classrooms. Her enthusiasm and commitment to enhancing resilient communities through growing, sharing and understanding food will inspire you.

Malia Demers loves to talk about school gardens and their amazing positive impact on children. Her personal passion was ignited one day when she was about 6 or 7-years-old. With a friend she harvested all the carrots from the family garden without asking for permission. She and her friend were covered in dirt when they presented her mom with a huge bin of dirty carrots. Her mom was a little mad at first because it wasn't really time to harvest them yet, but she ended up laughing and having them wash all the carrots. That was a lot of work and taught her a little lesson about biting off more than you could chew! She was hooked! Malia now co-runs the Maine FoodCorps program alongside Ryan Parker helping to create sustainable school gardens that function as experiential learning classrooms. FoodCorps partners with schools and communities to nourish kids’ health, education, and sense of belonging. AmeriCorps members serve alongside educators and school nutrition leaders to provide kids with nourishing meals, food education, and culturally affirming experiences with food that celebrate and nurture the whole child. FoodCorps develops leaders, grows networks, and advocates for policy change in service of every kid’s health and wellbeing.

Dagney loved gardening with her mother as a child and as an adult. During the 2020 pandemic she started her own garden, enjoying the emotional and physical benefits and inspiration that gardening brings to us. Physical struggles began to occur starting in her knee. After a long process she was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. She has learned to adapt her garden and accept her limitations while creating inspirational and practical gardening videos and blogs.

Please join us and be inspired.

Jenn Kennedy, the Executive Director of Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation, joins the Coast of Maine Growing Good Podcast to share how her organization enhances marine life in the Gulf of Maine. For over two decades, Blue Ocean Society has removed thousands of pounds of garbage through community cleanups while also educating the masses on vital whale research. Learn how their app can help you manage local cleanup events and hear about Coast of Maine Organic Products’ efforts to support the community this Earth Day. Discover more about Blue Ocean Society's dedication to a thriving marine environment and committed environmental stewardship.