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Growing Gardens Named One of Oregon’s Best Green Workplaces

We're proud to share that Growing Gardens was recognized as one of the 100 Best Green Workplaces in Oregon for 2026, earning the #90 spot on this year's list. This recognition highlights our ongoing commitment to sustainability, environmental stewardship, and creating a workplace culture that supports both people and the planet.

5 Low-Maintenance Plants Gardeners Are Loving

Want a beautiful garden without the extra maintenance? Growing Gardens Executive Director Jason Skipton shares some of the top low-maintenance plants gardeners are loving this year. These resilient plants offer year-round interest, support pollinators, and help create a vibrant landscape with less work.

Experts Agree: Fresh Herbs Belong in Every Garden

Growing Gardens Executive Director Jason Skipton was recently featured in Allrecipes, sharing insights on the benefits of growing food at home. The article highlights easy-to-grow crops, including fresh herbs and cherry tomatoes, that can help gardeners of all experience levels enjoy fresh, homegrown food.

Read the full article to discover expert tips for starting your own edible garden.

Planting Seeds of Resilience Rooted in Community

For over 30 years, Growing Gardens has been helping individuals and families grow food, build confidence, and strengthen community connections. Through education and hands-on programs, they continue to cultivate resilience and create lasting impact.

Growing Gardens joins the Incredible Edibles Plant Sale community event

Growing Gardens participated in the Incredible Edibles Plant Sale, a family-friendly community event celebrating local gardening and food education. The event brought together gardeners, educators, and community organizations for hands-on learning, activities, and resources that help strengthen connections to growing food and building healthier communities.

May brings plant sales, workshops and tours for Oregon gardeners

Growing Gardens was highlighted in OregonLive’s roundup of May gardening events and opportunities across Oregon, featuring our community gardening education work and helping connect more people to hands-on learning, growing skills, and local gardening resources.

Growing Gardens discusses food sovereignty on XRAY.FM’s Garden Party

Growing Gardens joined Portland community radio station XRAY.FM last November to explore the difference between food security and food sovereignty, and how community gardening builds resilience, dignity, and long-term food justice across Oregon.

Portland nonprofit Nutrition Inside aims to improve nutrition at Oregon prisons

Nutrition Inside, a Portland-based nonprofit, is working to improve the quality of food for adults in custody across Oregon. The volunteer-led organization delivers 500 to 3,000 pounds of surplus food weekly from farms and hunger-fighting charities to correctional facilities, while also providing education and support for better nutrition.

Increasing Food Access to Improve Health in Oregon

Growing Gardens, which received a Direct Relief Fund for Health Equity grant, is working to connect people with the education and knowledge to grow their own food.

Thuy Pham Talks Food Sovereignty in the Portland Mercury

Thuy shared how gardening, cultural memory, and food sovereignty intertwine – and why she joined Growing Gardens to grow community from the ground up.

Growing Gardens Meets “Data for Good” — A Radical Collaboration with Lewis & Clark College

Lewis & Clark students partnered with Growing Gardens to co-create more accessible, equitable survey tools—planting seeds for just data in nonprofits.

Fighting for Fresh Food in Portland

Urban farms like Growing Gardens and The Side Yard Farm are fighting to keep fresh food flowing to Portland’s underserved communities amid climate, funding, and policy challenges.

Planting Confidence Through School Gardens

Growing Gardens turns schoolyards into vibrant learning spaces where kids grow food, confidence, and connection. Your support keeps these gardens thriving for thousands of Portland students.

Behind bars, new growth: How gardening is transforming lives at Santiam Correctional Institute

Lettuce Grow teaches gardening and job skills to incarcerated individuals, reducing recidivism from 30% to just 4%.

How Growing Gardens builds resilient communities

Growing Gardens fosters resilient communities by transforming backyards and public spaces into thriving gardens that promote self-reliance.