In late April of 2009, the Perry Elementary School 5th & 6th grade class started working on a creative project. The students were given the following question: “ How can we help our school, community and environment?” Students brainstormed with many different ideas ranging from a basketball recycling game, wind turbine and a greenhouse. Students voted for the construction of a school greenhouse. Students wanted to grow their own fresh organic produce to be used in the school’s cafeteria.

The main obstacle in the green house project was funding the project. School budgets are very limited in the funding of extra resources and projects. students were given the task of finding grants to help with the purchase and construction of a school greenhouse. The students found some grants that promoted both school activities but also community projects. The students all worked together to write the grant proposals. Another obstacle was how to maintain the greenhouse in the summer. Perry has an excellent 4-H program (The Quoddy Kids). We contacted, 4-H leader and school board member, Denise Harris. Mrs. Harris and her 4-H crew do many projects in which they study plants. The greenhouse will help reinforce many of their growing lessons. Mrs. Harris also volunteered to help us with the project proposal. We were successful in our applications to three separate grant-funding entities, The Maine Community Foundation, Maine Agriculture in the Classroom and The Perloff Family Foundation.

The funding from the Maine Community Foundation came from the Washington County Fund. This is a grant used for community projects. This fund also supported the building of the outdoor basketball courts at the school (2007). The fees from the Agriculture license plates support the Maine Agriculture in the Classroom fund. It supports programs that build upon agriculture being taught in the school using hands-on products. The Perloff Family Fund supports innovative projects in the local schools. The Perloff Family has supported Perry Elementary School projects for many years. They have funded the LEGO Robotics program and all of the online video projects at the school.