SACO — It would be hard to improve the Ecology School’s idyllic campus, situated on 105 acres at River Bend Farm on 184 Simpson Road, with rolling hills, Saco River frontage, pastures, farmland, barn, beautiful old farmhouse, solar panels, yurts, and state-of-the-art green dormitories and dining hall.

However, the campus just got even better. The Ecology School Director Drew Dumsch announced at a press conference Wednesday morning that the school acquired the neighboring 202-acre Fogg Farm, tripling the size of the campus. The Fogg Farm property is under an agricultural easement with the Maine Farmland Trust.

The acquisition was made possible through donations from The American Farmland Trust and the Hannaford Charitable Foundation, which each contributed $100,000, as well as funding from private sources.

About 3,500 students visit River Bend Farm annually for hands-on learning about the environment, farming, nature and ecosystems. The farm also hosts retreats and conferences.

The additional land will expand riverfront footage from a half a mile to a mile and a half and give more room for trails and additional crops.

“The sky’s the limit on what we can do on the additional property,” said Dumsch.

It will also allow The Ecology School to expand its AgroEcology for Communities (ARC) project, providing hands-on education in sustainable and eco-friendly farming operation, partnering with schools and community organizations, and donating fresh foods to those in need. Last year, the school donated almost 2,000 pounds of produce to local food pantries.

“We can model in real time what a sustainable future can look like,” said Dumsch.

Hannaford Charitable Foundation Board of Directors Chairman Peter Forester said The Ecology School’s ability to touch lives of so many people and teach them in a unique, experiential, hands-on way about food systems was “incredible.”                                 

Alissa White, senior manager for climate and agriculture with the American Farmland Trust said The Ecology School’s ARC program was aligned with the American Farmland Trust’s goals of protecting agricultural land, promoting environmentally sound farming practices, and keeping farmers on the land.

“It’s like the golden ticket, it’s so exciting,” she said.

American Farmland Trust President and CEO John Piotti said The Ecology School was teaching the next generation of farmers.

“I can’t think of anything more valuable than shaping the future of farming and The Ecology School encapsulates that,” he said.

Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.