FARMINGTON, ME (October 14, 2025)—The University of Maine at Farmington Campus and Community Garden is hosting its annual Fall Open House Monday, Oct. 20, from noon to 2 p.m. The event will feature garden birthday cake, apple cider pressing (in-part, with apples from the UMF campus apple trees), live music and more. It is free and open to the public.
The UMF Community Garden team includes Larry Tuttle, director and assistant professor of geology; Gretchen Legler, professor of creative writing; Rosie Baker, master gardener volunteer; Emma Towers, UMF senior from Jay; and Hayden Triance, UMF junior from Steep Falls (not pictured)
The event celebrates the garden’s fifth birthday and its successful mission of growing and sharing organic vegetables, herbs and flowers with members of the campus and local community and area food pantries. It was developed on the UMF campus by Professor Gretchen Legler in 2020 as a healthy outdoor classroom option during the pandemic.
The garden is now under the direction of Larry Tuttle, UMF assistant professor of geology.
“I am drawn to the natural world and so grateful to be a part of UMF’s community garden. Learning and working outside is a wonderful experience for our students and a valuable opportunity to feel a sense of accomplishment and pride in providing healthy food for themselves and others,” said Tuttle.
Larry Tuttle, garden director, in the garden’s prolific greenhouse where squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers and more are grown.
Today, the garden is a learning lab where students, faculty, community members and gardening experts can come together to pursue their passion for cultivating plants, caring for pollinators, improving the local environment, fostering a sense of community and creating educational opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Over the last five years the garden has expanded from just a few raised beds—to multiple raised beds, perennial gardens, a pollinator garden and a large greenhouse. It is run by a small but dedicated team of students and faculty, including UMF psychology students Emma Towers and Hayden Triance.
Pollinator garden where a diverse range of pollen and nectar-rich native Maine plants provide food and shelter to support critical garden bees, butterflies and insects.
In addition to the garden’s regular cultivation and maintenance tasks, the team also helps neighbors grow their own nutritious vegetables in their home gardens with an annual spring seedling fundraiser sale, where it sells hand-raised plants for $1 each. During the growing season fresh vegetables and flowers are made available at the garden’s Harvest Hutch.
A raised bed featuring the Three Sisters Native American companion planting technique that combines corn, beans and squash to create a mutually beneficial ecosystem
The UMF garden is also part of the UMaine Cooperative Extension’s Harvest for Hunger Program and the Master Gardener Volunteer program. This year, two Master Gardener training participants. Michelle Navarre, director of the UMF Adult Completion Program, and Rosemary Baker, special education teacher, chose to complete their volunteer service in the UMF garden.
More on University of Maine at Farmington
A nationally recognized regional public university, the University of Maine at Farmington is known for its commitment to teacher preparation, the creative arts, health and science, environmental studies, business and public service. Located in the heart of Maine’s four-season outdoor recreational region, UMF provides a challenging but welcoming academic community—here in Farmington and online—that prepares students for enriching professional careers, engaged citizenship and an enduring love of learning.
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EDITOR’S NOTE:
Image: https://www.umf.maine.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/1/2025/10/RP256-009A.jpg
Photo Caption: The UMF Community Garden team includes Larry Tuttle, director and assistant professor of geology; Gretchen Legler, professor of creative writing; Rosie Baker, master gardener volunteer; Emma Towers, UMF senior from Jay; and Hayden Triance, UMF junior from Steep Falls (not pictured)
Photo Credit: UMF Image
Image: https://www.umf.maine.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/1/2025/10/RP256-009B.jpg
Photo Caption: Larry Tuttle, garden director, in the garden’s prolific greenhouse where squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers and more are grown.
Photo Credit: UMF Image
Image: https://www.umf.maine.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/1/2025/10/RP256-009C.jpg
Photo Caption: Pollinator garden where a diverse range of pollen and nectar-rich native Maine plants provide food and shelter to support critical garden bees, butterflies and insects.
Photo Credit: UMF Image
Image: https://www.umf.maine.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/1/2025/10/RP256-009D.jpg
Photo Caption: A raised bed featuring the Three Sisters Native American companion planting technique that combines corn, beans and squash to create a mutually beneficial ecosystem
Photo Credit: UMF Image
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