Marjorie Peronto Joins Healthy Acadia Board of Directors
Healthy Acadia, a community health coalition serving Hancock and Washington Counties, is pleased to welcome Marjorie Peronto as the newest member of the organization’s Board of Directors.
Marjorie is a Professor for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and has been teaching courses in food production and ecological landscaping in Hancock and Washington Counties for 22 years. She is a statewide resource among her colleagues on native and invasive plants of the Northeast. Marjorie oversees the Downeast region’s Master Gardener Volunteers program, training individuals to conduct community outreach projects that promote sustainable gardening and food security.
“We enthusiastically welcome Marjorie to the Healthy Acadia Board of Directors,” stated Ben Billings, Healthy Acadia Board Chair. “Marjorie is an extraordinary leader and teacher in our communities, and we are lucky to have her talent, experience, commitment, and expertise on our Board.”
Through her work, Marjorie partners with Healthy Acadia to facilitate the work of the Hancock County Food Security Network, a group of county food pantries and community meal sites working together to address local food insecurity issues. In collaboration with Healthy Acadia, she has also developed nationally recognized School Gardening courses, which teach school staff how to create a comprehensive plan for a school garden and incorporate the garden into their curriculum.
“I have enjoyed collaborating with Healthy Acadia on community projects that promote food security and school gardens over the past five years,” stated Marjorie Peronto. “I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to serve on the Board.”
Marjorie has a Masters degree in Natural Resources Management and Environmental Education from the University of Wisconsin. Before her career with UMaine Cooperative Extension, she worked for Save the Children Federation conducting inner city youth gardening programs, and served 3 years in the Peace Corps in Togo, West Africa.
Healthy Acadia is dedicated to building healthier communities across Hancock and Washington Counties by connecting individuals with health supports, building partnerships, coordinating education and prevention services, and improving policies and environments. Healthy Acadia is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization is the Healthy Maine Partnership for Hancock County.
