Skip to content

Gardens & Greenhouse

Mary Nash Beaupre Greenhouse & Campbell’s True Value Community Gardens

A Place for Kids to Grow

The vibrant world of gardening comes alive with endless opportunities for the next generation. Our gardens and greenhouse serve as a nurturing haven for young minds eager to cultivate a lifelong love for growing, tending, harvesting, and preparing fresh produce.

We believe in empowering youth through hands-on experiences that not only deepen their connection to the earth but also foster invaluable life skills. Our immersive programs blend the art and science of horticulture, providing a fertile ground for curiosity to blossom and green thumbs to flourish.

Youth in our childcare programs are immersed in the sowing of the seeds ensuring a sustainable future as we cultivate a community of passionate, young growers.  They prepare the beds, plant the seeds, water, weed, and control pests, harvest the produce, and then use the goods to help prepare the fresh nutritious meals they eat from their Kids’ Kitchen! Additionally, through our ASP Family Dinner Nights, and the Greenhouse to Your House Program youth learn how to prepare fruits, herbs, and vegetables grown in the gardens. Youth are also encouraged to try new foods and learn invaluable skills that will only enhance their world in the future.

SUN Programs

USDA’s Summer Nutrition Programs for Kids

The AYCC is proud to partner with the USDA’s SUN Programs to provide meals to children 18 and under this summer. Meals are free and help your kids get all the nutrition they need all summer long.

Families should check-in at the Welcome Center and head to the Wellness Window (cafe) and ask for a SUN Meal. Meals are served Monday-Friday from 11:30 am-1:00 pm

Learn more about the available options through SUN, by visiting their website.

Community Gardens
Garden Plots Available!

The AYCC offers gardening space for community members. This unique space offers an incredible opportunity to individuals that may not have gardening space of their own. Gardening is a rewarding hobby that offers endless learning opportunities in addition to the best tasting produce available. Supplement your table this summer with fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, or even a bouquet of beautiful flowers!

Details

  • Seasonal Plot Rent $50.00
  • Includes use of:
    • tools
    • supplies
    • access to water
    • straw & compost

Sign up at the Welcome Center.

Contract

FMI contact Zoe Mason at zmason@clubaycc.org

Greenhouse to Your House

The Greenhouse to Your House program not only provides a free, healthy, and fresh product to our community to help mitigate food insecurity in the short term, but the kit concept helps create cultural change by defining a new narrative around healthy food and cooking at home with the goal of inspiring families to implement healthier practices in the long term.

The program is available to all ASP kids and families regardless of income. The attractive and desirable fresh food kits will be delivered directly into caretakers’ vehicles during curbside pickup. Recipes, picture cards, and instructions are included with each meal kit.

A portion of the produce provided in the boxes is grown by AYCC Gardens Coordinator, Zoe Mason. She and her team of Volunteers not only prepare and care for the AYCC’s Sustainable Gardens, but the children in our childcare program learn to plant and tend to the produce as well. The very best of Farm to Table.

More Info

FMI contact Sheila Upton, Food & Nutrition Services Director

207-873-0684 supton@clubaycc.org

Check out our cool growing dome!
mainecelebrityclassic
campbellstruevalue
See our kids growing their own food!

The first of many meal boxes provided to childcare families using the GH2YH meal program.

Watch this Greenhouse to Your House video to learn more about ingredients provided in the boxes.

Nondiscrimination Statements
Federal

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

  1. mail:
    U.S. Department of Agriculture
    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
    1400 Independence Avenue, SW
    Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
  2. fax:
    (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
  3. email:
    Program.Intake@usda.gov

Website

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Updated February 13, 2024

The Maine Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, religion, ancestry or national origin.

Complaints of discrimination must be filed at the office of the Maine Human Rights Commission, 51 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0051.

If you wish to file a discrimination complaint electronically, visit the Human Rights Commission website at https://www.maine.gov/mhrc/file/instructions and complete an intake questionnaire. Maine is an equal opportunity provider and employer.