Grow Portland

Mission

Grow Portland supports schools and communities by facilitating hands-on garden experiences that foster connections to food, nature and each other.

Bottom Line for Portland

We believe that access & connection to the natural world should be a right, not a privilege. This year, Grow Portland is partnered with 13 public schools, serving nearly 6000 students, with monthly hands-on lessons in their school garden. Additionally, we are working with low-income housing to expand programming to seniors, building and updating courtyards to be vibrant, growing & accessible natural spaces. We help steward gardens and outdoor spaces while providing environmental education, centered on people of color, people who live at or below the poverty line, and those with intellectual and physical disabilities. Through consistent, rich, hands-on programming and careful stewardship of green spaces, we cultivate resiliency and interdependence with our community. 

Quote

Kid quote: “I love Nature and this is the only time I get to interact with it. Garden School is actually how I got brave enough to sit in the grass.”

Teacher quote: "Much appreciation and gratitude for this incredible opportunity for our students to learn about plants in their own school space. Such a rich learning experience of all grades. Thank you!" 

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

We acknowledge that many we work with face persistent injustices and we strive to create equitable space for each participant to grow, learn and thrive. In our daily work, we prioritize students who have been historically excluded from outdoor education, including Black and Brown students, low-income students and those with intellectual and physical disabilities. A lens for justice and Indigenous knowledge is woven into all our curricula, as we work to ensure that everyone can access our programming. We teach reciprocity and gratitude for all living things and make space for multiple intelligences and social-emotional learning. We prioritize racial justice and accessibility in all facets of our organization and it informs every decision we make. Our organization shifts policies and norms away from white supremacy and toward justice, understanding that this work is never fully done and a journey at a personal and organizational level. We work toward equitable pay, benefits and professional development for our staff and are committed to recruiting and retaining diverse staff, board and volunteers. Our actions are grounded in environmental and racial justice, equity, and accessibility.

Incentives

All donors over $25 will receive a coupon for 15% off your purchase from Left Field Garden Supply

The first 4 donors donating over $100 will receive $25 gift cards to Nong's Khao Man Gai

Pan's Mushroom Jerky will be donating 10% of sales from their Portland Night Market sales Dec. 1-4. 

Business Partner(s)

Left Field Garden Supply: Neighborhood shop in SE Portland for gardening enthusiasts stocking seeds, tools, books, organic fertilizer, and animal supplies.

Pan's Mushroom Jerky: While Pan's Mushroom Jerky doesn't contain any meat, the flavor and texture of our jerky will leave you feeling satisfied!

Nong's Khao Man Gai: Delicious, comforting, and healthy food you don’t have to feel guilty about eating.