Wow, another year in the books! We just completed our final classes for the year with our partner schools and it is always bittersweet. We will miss our students during the break! And we’ll use this time to rest, rejuvenate, reset and return to 15 of our existing school gardens + one new one - Atkinson Elementary, thank you Cheetah's - revitalized, for fall! 

We had an amazing school year with lots of growth, tasty snacks, land tending and learning. We hosted several cafeteria tastings with Spring school garden produce including a lettuce taste test at Woodstock Elementary and roasted chard and kale at Irvington Elementary! Students helped harvest and prepare the produce and make signs to invite others to try the garden goodness!

We also need to give a HUGE shoutout to our amazing Garden Educators for their steadfast teaching, their love of the work and their amazing ability to keep the students and gardens thriving. We appreciate you soooo much! 

Every June, we also ask students and teachers for their feedback so we can continue to learn and grow. Here’s just a taste of what they had to say: 

• “Gardens bring people together, and they give us foods and flowers to share.” - 5th grader

• “When I am in the garden I feel calm and happy.” - 4th grader

• “They help our ecosystems and communities with healthy food and a place to grow and think. They are very important to our community!” - 5th grader

• “My students really loved being able to taste regularly and looked forward to Garden Class every month.” - 3rd grade teacher

• “I sincerely hope this partnership can continue for our students and community.” - Kindergarten teacher

Thank you to all our students, teachers, and school administrators for their partnership this year. Can’t wait to see you in September!

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