Our programs are always expanding. This year we have 30 Youth Grower positions. That is quite a jump when you consider that we started out with just three kids tending four raised beds back in 2001. Of course, the number of students involved isn’t the only thing that’s changed.

Between the three growing sites — the Boyd Street Urban Garden and the Oxford Street Garden in Portland, and Turkey Hill Farm in Cape Elizabeth — Cultivating Community now produces 72 varieties of vegetables in addition to tree fruits, raspberries and cut flowers. The food reaches income eligible seniors via the Elder Shares program and is also available through a limited number of paid CSAs.

In addition to the Youth Grower program, this year Cultivating Community is helping people starting their own backyard gardens by providing information and instruction, and they are also encouraging people to come out and work in the gardens at their open volunteer hours on Tuesday (Boyd Street) and Wednesdays (Turkey Hill) between 4 and 7 pm.