‘Produce for People’ volunteers renovate Brentwood-Darlington gardens

Published 12:00 am Sunday, December 22, 2024

On the horticultural blocks just west of Lane Middle School and Brentwood Park, THE BEE has been covering the efforts of several organizations.

All centered in these acres, we’ve presented stories about the Portland State University Learning Gardens Laboratory, the Black Futures Farm, Portland Public School’s Community Transition Program “Green Thumb” garden – and of course, the Multnomah County Master Gardener’s Demonstration Garden.

But now, hidden away on the western edge of the urban farmland, we’ve been introduced to the Brentwood South Community Garden. The street address is 6866 S.E. 57th Avenue.

On Friday, November 22, a number of volunteers arrived to work on a project in their Produce for the People plots – a “subset gardening activity”, sponsored by the Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) Community Garden Program.

“Produce for the People has been around for at least 25 years now,” remarked the Site Manager for the Brentwood South Community Garden, Leah Witte. “Each of the PP&R Community Gardens has the ability to grow organic produce that is then donated to their local food pantries – in our case, it’s mostly given to Lane Middle School; but also to the Woodstock Food Pantry, and Portland’s Urban Gleaners.

“Last season, we grew and gave away 2,961 pounds of produce!” she added.

On an “off-season mission”

“Earlier, the East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District (EMSWCD) gave us a grant to build raised garden boxes,” Witte said. “Now that we’re out of the growing season, we’re installing an irrigation system that will allow us to water the beds much more efficiently, and in a way that’s better for vegetables.”

And the crew of volunteers finished the project that afternoon.

Witte had an invitation for BEE readers: “If you like gardening, come join us! Volunteers are here, mostly during growing season, on Sundays from 10 a.m. until noon; and on Wednesdays, from 4 until 6 p.m.”

Find out more about the Brentwood South Community Garden program online – http://www.portland.gov/parks/brentwood-community-garden

learn more about the “Produce for the People program at – http://www.portland.gov/parks/community-gardens/produce-people