The Hardy Plant Society of Oregon - Distribution of Grants Funds in 2006

Grants Awarded in 2006

Four groups received a total of $6,027 in grants from HPSO this year, as approved at the February Board meeting. Funding for grants comes from donations and special fundraising projects (Annual Meeting Silent Auction, Garden Art Fair) as well as some of the profit generated from book sales, plant sales and other activities.

Below is a list of this year's recipients, which include schools, a community garden and a public arboretum, a miscellany of non-profit groups all doing community work which fulfills HPSO's mission.

Project Name: "Cart'em & Trust" Growing Project
Organization: Nehalem & Garibaldi Elementary Schools
A joint gardening and environmental stewardship project in cooperation with Lowe Nehalem Community Land Trust, Alder Creek Land Trust and the local recycling center (Cart'em). This project will expand the existing native plant nursery, continue streamside restoration, continue the vegetable garden (which supplies the local food bank), expand the pumpkin patch for the harvest festival and start a demonstration garden and compost area. This is a continuation of a larger (and successful) project which received funding from HPSO in 2004.

Project Name: Growing Vegetable Eaters - The Youth Grow Project
Organization: Growing Gardens
This non-profit organization is dedicated to the promotion of organic food gardening for improved nutrition, health and self-reliance while enhancing the quality of life for individuals and communities in Portland. It provides education and help in setting up home gardens and targets households at risk for food insecurity (youth, seniors, low income). Funding will be used to support the weekly after school education targeting low income children, an intensive summer youth education program and associated youth services for teens. More information about Growing Gardens. Information about the Chef In My Garden benefit for Growing Gardens.

Project Name: Irrigation Loop One
Organization: Hoyt Arboretum Friends
This project is the first-year segment of a multi-year program to establish an irrigation system for trees and other arboretum plants, meeting a fundamental need for the long-term survival and health of this regionally significant and irreplaceable local horticultural collection. Hoyt Arboretum Friends is an organization established to promote and support the Hoyt Arboretum. Funds will be used for irrigation hardware and associated electronic equipment. More information about Hoyt Arboretum.

Project Name: Raleigh Park Garden
Organization: Raleigh Park Elementary School
This project is working to create an organic garden where students learn to design, plant and grow ornamental and food plants and gain a greater appreciation of nature. Teachers will incorporate the garden into their lesson plans in the areas of science, nature studies, geography and cultural studies, math. The garden will be open to the community and will incorporate an amphitheater to be used for public music performances. In the past year over one hundred volunteers have worked to install irrigation, build fences and a shed, and spread landscape fabric, gravel and soil. Funding will be used for the purchase of herbaceous and woody plants for the China portion of the garden and for soil amendments for this and other parts of the garden. Read more about this project.