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We believe the seeds of a healthier world are planted in our own backyards .
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Upcoming Events: March 2012
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Greetings!
Happy March! Everything's coming up daffodils and we are excited for another growing season to bloom! Read on for the latest news and volunteer opportunities. Also, TONIGHT (3/1/12) Lincoln Restaurant will be hosting Dine Out to Dig In, where 10% of all proceeds from Happy Hour and Dinner service will be donated to GROWINGGARDENS. Hope to see you there.
Thank you for your support,
GROWINGGARDENS staff
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Dine Out to Dig In at Lincoln Restaurant 
TONIGHT March 1st, 2012Lincoln Restaurant
3808 N Williams No. 127
503.288.6200
http://www.lincolnpdx.com/
Dine Out to Dig at the root of hunger! On Thursday, March 1st, Lincoln Restaurant will donate 10% of the evening's food sales to
GROWINGGARDENS! Join us for happy hour from 5:30 -7:00 pm or
dinner from 5:30 - 9:00 pm. Dinner reservations are suggested.
Thanks Lincoln Restaurant!
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Current Volunteer Opportunities
Garden Installation Crew Members  Every Spring and Fall GROWINGGARDENS builds gardens for families with limited resources enrolled in our Home Garden Program. Crew Members will help us build gardens, strengthen community, and increase food access around Portland. Crew members wi ll work in groups of 5-8 with a Crew Leader to install garden beds for a family in need. GARDEN INSTALLATION DATES: (Sign up for each day separately) Saturday April 21, 28, May 5 10AM-3PM TIME COMMITMENT: 5 hours each installation day LOCATION: Various locations in Portland Area
Crew Leaders
We are recruiting Crew Leaders to help organize, motivate, and lead volunteer crews of 5-8 people on garden building days. They play an essential role in creating a safe, fun, and productive atmosphere as we build gardens and improve food access. Crew leaders will receive training, materials, and support from Growing Gardens staff.
CREW LEADER RESPONSBILITES:
- Attend Crew Leader Training on Saturday, April 14th, 2011 from 10AM-4PM
- Commit to working at least two Garden Installation Days: April 21, 28, May 5th from 10AM-3PM
- Organize crew members into an efficient soil digging machine :)
- Help crew members understand individual roles and plan for the day
- Help problem-solve unanticipated problems in materials, implementation, etc.
- Communicate with garden recipient and GROWINGGARDENS staff
- Keep track of tools
- Ensure that crew members are being safe and having FUN!
- Facilitate any games and/or reflection activities deemed appropriate for the day.
- Have FUN
DATES:
Crew Leader Training: Saturday, April 14th, 10AM-4PM, location TBD
Garden Installation Dates: Saturday April 21, 28, May 5, 10AM-3PM TIME COMMITMENT: ≈11-21+ hours total
TO SIGN UP: Please email Nancy Wong, nancy@growing-gardens.org
Garden Club Assistant
We are recruiting up to 4 Garden Club Assistants for to assist with the Spring Term of Garden Club at local schools in N, NE, and SE Portland.
Garden Club Assistant will help students learn to:
- plant seeds and transplant vegetable starts
- compost and tend a worm bin
- harvest, prepare and enjoy fresh vegetables
- identify insects
- work together, plan and think critically
All volunteers are subject to a background check.
TIME COMMITEMENT: 16-20 hrs over 8-10 weeks. This is a 2 hour per week commitment for 8-10 weeks. Class will always be on the same day each week, either from 3-5PM or 3:30-5:30PM.
TO SIGN UP: Please email Nancy Wong describing your experience in working with children and why you are interested in becoming a Garden Club Assistant nancy@growing-gardens.org
Better Living Show at Portland Expo Center 3/22-3/25
We are looking for some help tabling at the Better Living Show, March 23rd-25th at the Portland Expo Center. The Better Living Show is a free event showcasing products, technologies, entertainment and experts on living green living and ecologically friendly choices. Volunteers will help get people excited about GROWINGGARDENS' programs and services.
Shifts are listed below:
Friday, March 23rd
6:00PM-9:00PM
Saturday, March 24th
3:00PM-6:00PM
Sunday, March 25th
11AM-2:00PM
2:00PM-5:00PM
Location: Portland Expo Center, 2060 N Marine Drive Portland, OR 97217
TIME COMMITMENT: 3 hours TO SIGN UP: Please email Nancy Wong, nancy@growing-gardens.org
Seed Sorting/Bagging
We have received a few generous seed donations in the past few weeks and need two volunteers to help sort them into our seed library. We also have some loose seeds that need to be bagged into seed packets.
Location: Growing Gardens Office, 2203 NE Oregon St., Portland, OR 97232 TIME COMMITMENT: 2-3 hours TO SIGN UP: Please email Nancy Wong, nancy@growing-gardens.org
Delivery Driver
We are looking for one delivery driver to help us deliver seeds and growing pots to the kind folks helping us grow veggie starts for the Home Gardens Program this year. Items need to be delivered the week of March 5th.
Location: Pickup at Growing Gardens Office, 2203 NE Oregon St., Portland, OR 97232 TIME COMMITMENT: 2-3 hours TO SIGN UP: Please email Nancy Wong, nancy@growing-gardens.org
Garden Mentors 2012 GROWINGGARDENS is recruiting Volunteer Garden Mentors for the 2012 growing season! Mentors will work with one or more beginning gardeners enrolled in the Home Garden Program. They will assist Home Gardener(s) with the garden care, planning for spring/summer/winter gardening, planting, problem-solving, maintenance, worm & compost bin construction, and garden winterization. GROWINGGARDENS will provide training to mentors and mentees on garden planning, composting, soil health and winterization. TIME COMMITMENT: March through October 2012. 2-6 hours/mo, 30+ hours total.
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Fill out a Volunteer Interest FormHelp us usher in some new technology!
We are transitioning to a new database and need all active and interested volunteers to fill out a volunteer interest form to get contact and basic info registered in our system. We will use the database to track volunteer hours and contact you if a volunteer opportunity comes up that matches your interest and availability. Click here for the form.
Thank you! |
 Eclectic Dance CompanyA night of dance to support GROWINGGARDENS
Cami Curtis Performing Arts Center's dance company, Eclectic, is presenting Variegated Poise, a performance to benefit GROWINGGARDENS.
Saturday, March 10th
2PM and 7PM
$10 (20% of the proceeds will be donated to GG)
at Cami Curtis Performing Arts Center
1932 W Burnside St.
Free parking underneath the studio.
There will be tap, contemporary, and hip hop dance, and kids are welcome! Tickets can be purchased online at www.camicurtis.com, or at the door.
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Upcoming Workshops All workshops are sliding scale, in an effort to make gardening and garden knowledge accessible to all. 100% of proceeds go back to GROWINGGARDENS and our programs. 
Garden Planning
Thursday, March 15 - 6-8:30pm Please read above description. This workshop also includes a hands-on garden planning activity.
Intro to Urban Chicken Keeping
Tuesday, March 13 - 6-8pm.
Learn the basics of raising happy, healthy chickens for fresh eggs. Topics covered include chicken breeds, coop and run considerations, safety, chicken food, products, health issues, costs and regulations/permits. 
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP
Grow Anywhere Container Gardening
Thursday, March 29 - 6-8m
Get inspired to grow your own food in containers and locations of all kinds during this hands-on demonstration. Topics covered include appropriate container sizes, soil, fertilizer, plant selection, planting to maximize space and ongoing maintenance.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP  Building Raised Garden Beds
Thursday, March 29 - 6-8m
Learn techniques for building raised garden beds in your yard. Topics covered include material selection, frame design and building, sheet mulching, double digging and container prep.
Introduction to Permaculture
Thursday, March 29 - 6-8m
Permaculture is inspired by observation of natural ecosystems and applying ecological principles to garden design. In this 2-hour workshop, we'll explore the foundations of permaculture, beginning with its history and  the ethics and design principles that distinguish permaculture from other related fields. Participants will learn the value of zone and sector analysis, using examples ranging from small urban lots and neighborhoods to more social/organizational realm. The workshop will include a pattern recognition exercise and a resources/needs activity where participants will discover ways to meet some of each others needs in their work lives.
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Sincerely,
Growing Gardens |
2203 NE Oregon Street
Portland, Oregon 97232
503.284.8420
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