ROCKPORT — Want to grow carrots and other vegetables in the back yard? Want to meet with other families to learn about gardening and food through hands-on work, informational activities, art projects, and cooking?

The Kids Can Grow program is for parents and children.

Maine Coast Heritage Trust, in collaboration with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, is hosting the Kids Can Grow program for its fourth year beginning in late April. Registration is open for 12 families with children between the ages of seven and 12.

A series of six hands-on gardening classes will be held in the community garden at the Erickson Fields Preserve from May through October. The program provides an introduction for kids and parents to grow vegetables for healthy eating and is open to all skill levels.

The following materials will be provided to each family to build their own raised bed at home: lumber, soil, nails, and some seeds and seedlings. In addition, each family is assigned a garden mentor to provide inspiration and assistance with their home garden bed once a month.

Kids and adults will learn the basics together in group sessions at the preserve’s gardens, then practice their skills in their own 3 x 5 foot raised bed gardens at home.

Any extra produce from the group beds will be donated to local food pantries.

Classes are led by staff from Maine Coast Heritage Trust and the Cooperative Extension, as well as many dedicated volunteers.

Cost for the program is $30, and some scholarships are available.

Parent Orientation is Wednesday, April 29, 5 - 6:15 p.m., in the conference room at Aldermere Farm. Group classes for parents/children start May 6, 4 -6 p.m., and are held the first Wednesday of each month through October.

Children 12 and older can participate in the Farmhands program, feeding, caring for, and halter breaking young Belted Galloway calves at Aldermere.

This program, which has no fee, will run every Wednesday from 3:15 to 4:30 p.m. starting April 29. The program is for six weeks at Aldermere Farm, 20 Russell Avenue, Rockport.

Call 236-2739 or email jlucas@mcht.org to register for either program.

Aldermere Farm and Erickson Fields Preserves are owned by Maine Coast Heritage Trust, an organization working statewide to conserve land for greater community benefits.