School Gardens

Hands-on garden-based education is vital to the success of farm to school programs. There are now over 40 edible school gardens throughout the district thanks to the efforts of committed students, staff, parents and community volunteers. If you have information or pictures to share about your school garden, please send them to the Wellness Policy Coordinator.

Guidelines for starting and maintaining gardens

Portland Public Schools encourages and supports the development of gardens for learning, beautification, and naturescaping. Facilities staff will provide technical assistance to volunteer projects and authorize projects to ensure completion of projects which meet codes. There must also be a plan for long-term maintenance and community support. Learn more about the six steps in the project process.

• Spring 2011 Learning Garden Design Project Submissions are due by May 15, 2011.
• Large projects (including community gardens) require at least six months to a year of planning.

Serving garden produce in the cafeteria

If you are a student, teacher, parent or community volunteer, please contact the Nutrition Services Central Office to plan ways to incorporate garden produce in the cafeteria.

Use of school kitchens and equipment requires a civic use of building (CUB) agreement that would be approved by Nutrition Services Central Office. Please contact us if you have questions.

Garden Resources

Growing Gardens digs at the root of hunger in Portland, Oregon by building organic, raised bed vegetable gardens in urban backyards. Our Youth Grow school garden clubs create future veggie eaters and cultivators, while our Learn & Grow classes cover cooking, preserving, and more.

Zenger Farm - Exploring the roots of food. Through experiential and sensory-based programs, visiting youth learn about the relationship between farming and environmental stewardship. They learn that healthy food comes from healthy soil, which can be anywhere - even in the city. The Youth Education program at Zenger Farm brings local K-12 youth to the farm to get their hands dirty and learn where their food comes from. Kids learn about sustainable farming practices, healthy soils, beneficial insects and wetland ecology. By participating in service-learning projects, they have the opportunity to be farmers.