Exciting news for school gardens! We’re happy to announce that, in collaboration with the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation, Cultivating Community is launching a new initiative to support Portland Public Schools students and gardens. After a challenging school budget process, we’re stepping up to fill a gap so that all 3,000 elementary school students continue to have vibrant outdoor learning spaces. We’re excited to work with the 9 PPS elementary schools to uplift Wabanaki and STEAM curriculum and hands-on outdoor experiences.

Earlier this month the City of Portland conducted soil testing at the Libbytown Community Garden and found elevated levels of arsenic and benzo(a)pyrene (BaP). Each garden has a unique history, and while testing had been done previously, this testing – which measured the levels of more than 90 potential contaminants – was more comprehensive.

his week we had a devastating setback to our farming season: For the second year, we had partnered with a local greenhouse to grow seedlings to supplement what we produce at Hurricane Valley Farm, but sadly, they have closed, breaking our contract without warning, and we are scrambling.

Temperatures are rising, the sap is flowing, seeds have arrived for ~40,000 culturally important starts, and community garden registration begins next week. This all means one thing: The growing season is right around the corner!

The ground may be frozen and farms blanketed in snow, but Cultivating Community’s staff are hard at work preparing for the season ahead.

As we close the year and plan for next season, we are excited to share highlights from our core programs. Our work is possible because of trust, partnership, and support from our community.

Winter may be a time for slowing down, but at Cultivating Community we are just getting warmed up as staff and new leadership reflect on lessons learned from the growing season.