BUCKFIELD — Maine School Garden Day will be held at Buckfield Junior-Senior High School, where leaders have helped create an award-winning school garden.

“We’re really excited to be over there,” said Billy Grenier, executive director of Maine Agriculture in the Classroom. “They have done an incredible job. It’s a great program that gives other schools courage.”

It’s the first time Maine School Garden Day has been  held in Western Maine.

The daylong workshop is targeted for school and community garden leaders, and those who help out. It takes place from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 28.

Cost is $40, which includes a variety of workshops and lunch and snacks made from locally produced foods.

Buckfield Junior-Senior High School teachers Annette Caldwell and Gretchen Kimball have worked over the years to create an acre-sized garden with middle schoolers. They were recognized nationally last year for their work.

Grenier said her organization provides $60,000 in grants each year to agricultural-related school projects. That money comes from the Maine Agriculture special license plate. From the $20 fee required to acquire the plate, $10 goes toward agriculture in the classroom grants, she said.

Grants range from $500 for student field trips to farms, $1,000 for leadership, $2,000 for school gardens and green houses, and $5,000 for major school-related agricultural projects.

Previous daylong Maine School Garden Day workshops have been held at the University of Maine, Belfast and Waldoboro.

Presenters will provide information on gardening year-round, heritage seeds, planning for the garden, worm composting, cooking what is grown, and beekeeping, among other topics.

A tour of Buckfield’s garden will be offered and a panel of experienced school garden leaders will hold a question and answer period.

The workshop is offered through the combined efforts of Maine Agriculture in the Classroom, the Maine Cooperative Extension service, and Maine School Garden Network.

So far, about 75 people plan to attend the event. Others may preregister by calling 287-5522 or emailing [email protected].

Registrations will also be accepted at the door.