Home Gardens Program

A community-based program that partners with diverse, multi-generational families to build and sustain food-producing home and community gardens through multilingual and culturally-relevant programming.

Geographic Scope

• Primary Service Area: Portland Oregon Metro area
• Specific Neighborhoods Served: N, NE, SE Portland, Gresham, Milwaukie, Washington County, and Oregon City
• Expansion: Program hopes to support additional neighborhoods soon

Eligibility Requirements

• Income Requirement: Families must be at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level
• Location: Must reside in service areas listed above (applications from outside accepted but on waitlist)

What the Program Provides

• Free home garden installation by volunteer teams (April-October)
• Seasonal educational classes
• Supply distribution
• Site visits and garden consultations
• Soil testing
• Community organizing and support
• Multilingual programming (English and Spanish)
• Healthcare worker training for participants
• Plant medicine cultivation and use training

Program Philosophy

• Growing one's own food strengthens individual, community, and earth health
• Addresses social determinants of health (SDOH)
• Emphasizes food sovereignty and food system equity
• Culturally relevant and anti-racist approach
• Decentralized model with neighborhood-based Community Organizers

Contact Information

• Program Manager: Antonio Rodriguez
• Phone: 503-284-8420 x102
• Email: [email protected]
• Address: C/O Home Gardens, 3114 SE 50th Ave, Portland, OR 97206

Related Programs

• Partner Gardens: Community gardens in partnership with other organizations
• Rx Gardens: Partnership with Providence Milwaukie Hospital for health-focused gardening and cooking classes

Application Process

1. Obtain Application - Choose one of these methods:
   • Fill out application online
   • Download printable PDF application
   • Email [email protected] to receive by mail
   • Call Program Manager Antonio at 503-284-8420 x102
2. Submit Application - Choose submission method:
   • Online: Complete online form to be added to waitlist
   • Mail: Send to: C/O Home Gardens 3114 SE 50th Ave Portland, OR 97206
   • Applications are processed in order received
3. Waitlist Organization
   • Waitlist organized by region: N, NE, SE Portland, Gresham, Milwaukie, Oregon City, Washington County
   • Ensures equitable distribution of services
4. Site Visit & Orientation - Once at top of waitlist:
   • Program staff contacts applicant
   • Schedule site visit and program orientation
   • Discuss garden location preferences
   • Soil sample collected and tested
   • Paperwork completed
   • Receive schedule for garden installation, classes, and supply distribution
5. Garden Installation
   • Official garden build between April-October
   • Experienced volunteer team handles construction
   • Neighborhood garden adviser assigned for ongoing support

Available Languages

• English
• Spanish (Español)