Community Gardening

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In response to Measure 47 all city departments will submit proposed budget cuts. Charles Jordan, director of the Parks Bureau, said in mid-January that though he supports the philosophy of the Community Gardens Program, all programs will be reviewed for possible cuts. He said his "number one priority will be to maintain the land and buildings. At this time everything in on the table," meaning it was too early to say which programs would be pruned.

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People who tend the various Community Garden sites are as diverse as the gardens themselves. Pat Davis, who works in hospital administration at OHSU, began gardening at Reed Community Garden in 1990. The previous year she had sold her home and became a renter but still wanted to grow her own produce. "The first year I learned what I didn't know!" she said with a laugh, "and I'm a Master Gardener!" Davis describes gardening at Reed as an empowering experience. "I can (still) enjoy the benefits of living in the city and provide for myself," she said. "It's important to be able to garden even if you don't own property." She finds there is a constant exchange of tips in the garden due to the variety of growers and growing techniques. They include Reed college students, retired people, urban professionals and people with disabilities who garden together. Raised beds were added to include those who previously were unable to garden. "The garden is a microcosm which shows there is more than one way to garden just as there are various approaches to life," said Davis. She added, a sense of community has evolved among the gardeners at Reed. For instance, on Sunday mornings people will gather around a thermos of coffee, some drink from mugs, others from a tin can. They enjoy donuts and exchange thoughts. Ages range from 30s to 70s and the conversation isn't always about gardening.

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The garden has also fostered a sense of sharing. People put their extra plants and produce on the picnic table for others to enjoy. "Last year we gave 500 pounds of produce to the senior citizens and low-income families through the Clackamas Community Center," said Davis. She remembers the day a six-year-old girl, who had been visiting adjacent Eastmoreland Hospital, helped her plant a row of zinnia seeds. "There is room for involvement on many levels," said Davis; often people who have a friend or relative who gardens, become involved, too. One woman in her 70s makes aprons every year for our fall sale whose proceeds help support the garden." Davis can't understand why the city would want to discontinue a program that has such high return on investment. "We work off frustration in the garden, give to the community, sustain ourselves and have fun learning and sharing," she said with conviction.

At Southeast's Lane Middle School, the community garden is an educational experience for sixth-graders. They plant their seeds indoors in a "grow lab" and later transplant them to a community garden plot. The Friends of Community Gardens, a non-profit volunteer group, provides the students with the "grow lab," a three-tiered cart with fluorescent lights, which simulates a natural growing season. Students germinate seeds and have young plants ready in spring to plant in the garden. Dick Falaschetti, who supervises the program in his class, sees the benefits gardening education can have on students. "It gives many of them their first hands-on experience with gardening," said Falaschetti . "It exposes them to a new learning process which requires co-operation, nurturing and careful thoroughness. They can't deal with gardening the way they would a math paper," he added. Out in the garden the students perform all tasks without mechanical tools. They respond to the uniqueness of the program, said Falaschetti, who's noticed more positive interactions between his students as a result of the program.

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Manuel Brambila, a 13-year-old student in the program, began by transplanting seedlings. Now he is the youngest volunteer at the Berry Botanic Garden where last summer he created a bog garden. He also cleans seeds, propagates plants and helps with garden maintenance and landscaping. Manuel's face lights up when he talks about his interest in carnivorous plants, he is growing ferns from spores and planning to create a water garden at home. He says his experiences with propagation have taught him patience. Edible and medicinal plants, botany and propagation are a few of the areas Manuel had studied through the gardening education program.

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At Buckman Community Garden Maitri and Ole Ersson tend a plot with their three children who are 9, 10 and 12. The garden next to Buckman School is across the street from their home where they also garden intensively. In their plot they grow organic greens which Maitri estimates would cost $500 to purchase.

She enjoys the time she has to reflect while gardening when the kids are in school. "I have some of my deepest thoughts while I'm gardening," says Maitri. For the children, "gardening teaches them the consequences of their actions. If they forget to water they find the plants wilted upon their return," she said. Ole said "[gardening] is the foundation for an environmental ethic and is an example of human activity that is beneficial. The children can actually see the soil become healthier." The garden plot is also a model of a system without waste, he added. "In gardening, just as in nature, waste products are incorporated back into the garden and actually increase fertility. The garden plots allow people to have a connection to the natural cycle and many are longing for that sense of connection," says Ole. Even those passing by on their way to the Buckman pool stop, talk and enjoy the presence of the gardens, observed the couple.

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When asked what the loss of the Community Garden Program would mean to them, Ole Ersson responded, "It would be a devastating blow for the community. If anything, the program ought to be expanded." He compared today's community gardens to the victory garden of the WW II era. "We need to prioritize and support these traditional American values," he said. "This could be an abandoned lot full of trash!"

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Ersson sees so many people, in his work as a physician, suffering from depression. "Gardening is great therapy for depression because it's a healing activity," he said. "People need inspiration."

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Those supporting the continuance of the Community Gardens Program may call or write the following officials:

• Charles Jordan, Director 823-5379, 1120 S.W. 5th Portland, Or. 97204.

• David Judd, Deputy Director 823-5379.

• Jim Francesconi, Commissioner 823-3008, 1400 S.W. 5th, 7th Floor, Portland, Or. 97204.