Cultivating the Next Generation of Ecological Gardening Leaders

The 2025 season of the Native Gardens of Blue Hill (NGBH) Mentorship Program was a transformative year for emerging horticultural professionals in Maine. In its third year, the program supported three mentorship pairs, offering hands-on experience, guidance, and a network of ecological gardening expertise.

The program connects mentees with established horticultural mentors to provide real-world, experiential learning, support career development, and foster a collaborative community of ecological gardening practitioners in Maine. Since 2023, the program has supported the careers of seven emerging professionals.

After a competitive application process, the 2025 program welcomed three mentorship pairs:

• Skylar Giovagnoli (Spruce Head) with Deborah Perkins (Poland Spring)

• Ella Christensen (Searsport) with Astrid Bowlby (Honey Petal Plants, Brooks)

• Ashley Littlefield (Belfast) with Denise Miner-Sawyer (Fernwood Nursery, Montville)

Deborah Perkins and Skylar Giovagnoli

Voices from the Program

For mentees, the program proved to be life-changing. Skylar reflected, “Deb and I share so many of the same values and outlooks on life. She’s a great teacher—gentle and encouraging, yet always pushing me toward growth. She even offered to continue mentoring me indefinitely, which is incredibly exciting!”

Ella, who worked closely with Astrid at her nursery, shared, “I realized I’m more capable than I believed. Astrid supported my creativity and helped me understand that I can attract clients who appreciate my approach to gardening. It’s not about taking any work that comes along—it’s about creating a business that aligns with my values and style.”

The impact of these partnerships has been significant. Mentees reported increased confidence, clarified business visions, and greater ability to attract ideal clients. As Skylar shared, “Beyond all that I learned about ecological landscaping, Deb has shown me what it looks and feels like to be a strong, independent female business owner who is kind, loving, and also knows her worth.”

Mentors found the experience equally rewarding. Deborah Perkins reflected, “Teaching and learning in a one-on-one setting is invaluable. The program provides a unique and important opportunity for deep, adaptive, and experiential learning and guidance over the duration of a season. As humans, we were made for this - relationship building, eldership, tutelage, and apprenticeship. It's an ancient practice and a lost art and the NGBH program makes it possible while cultivating new professionals and stewards. 

Astrid Bowlby echoed this, noting, “I enjoyed the flexibility to design the mentorship around Ella’s evolving goals. It’s a chance to share knowledge while adapting to what the mentee needs most.”

Garden that Skylar designed and installed

Ella's Garden Project

Key Outcomes from the 2025 season

• 100% of mentees rated the program 10/10 for helping them reach professional goals

• Increased confidence and leadership: Mentees reported feeling empowered to take charge of their businesses

• Hands-on learning: Exposure to plants, design, and ecological landscaping strengthened practical skills

• Supportive relationships: One-on-one mentorship created safe spaces for honest discussion, guidance, and feedback

• Community building: The program continues to foster connections between mentors, mentees, and the larger Maine horticultural network

• Clarity in business vision: Mentorship helped participants define their unique gardening styles and begin attracting clients aligned with their values

That clarity turned into action. Over the course of the season, mentees:

• Formalized their LLCs

• Developed logos and business identities

• Designed and installed garden beds for clients and nurseries

• Enrolled in additional classes and professional trainings

• Identified new growth areas, such as learning how to draw full landscape designs to scale

Looking ahead

Mentees are already putting their learnings into action—developing client bases, refining business practices, and expanding their knowledge of ecological gardening. The 2025 NGBH Mentorship Program demonstrates that mentorship is not just about skills—it’s about building confidence, fostering community, and cultivating the next generation of ecological gardening leaders.

Applications for the 2026 season are now open. Applications are due by March 1. We look forward to welcoming the next cohort of emerging professionals ready to grow, learn, and make a lasting impact on Maine’s gardens.