Grow and Access Food
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Access fresh food year-round
Tualatin SWCD has a goal of fostering a robust local food community where farms and gardens produce healthy crops and local food is accessible to all residents. Learn about where you can grow and access food in Washington County.
Community Gardens in Washington County
Find a community garden
Local cities and recreation districts rent garden plots for a small annual fee. Typically, costs start at $30/year. These plots often have waiting lists and new plots are awarded annually, usually at the beginning of the year.
- Explore B Street Community Garden
Located on B Street in Forest Grove, this garden is managed by EdenAcres Environmental Education.
Learn more - Explore the Forest Grove Community Garden
The garden plots are located adjacent to Stites Nature Park.
Learn more - Explore City of Hillsboro's community gardens
More than 180 garden plots are available at three different garden locations.
Learn more - Explore the City of Tigard's community gardens
There are three garden locations, each one containing dozens of plots.
Learn more - Explore Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District's community gardens
There are 17 garden locations throughout Beaverton, Aloha, and SW Portland.
Learn more - Explore City of Sherwood's community garden
The garden is located near downtown Sherwood and has 36 garden plots.
Learn more
Resources for Managing a Garden
Garden management plans, guides, and more.
Watering, plants, volunteers, mulch, permits. The list of things that need to be managed can be long. But you're not alone! Many resources are available to help you design and manage a community garden.
- Visit the Oregon Farm to School and School Garden Network for statewide resources for starting and sustaining a garden.
- Explore the design standards and maintenance practices for the Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District garden program: THPRD Community Garden Management Plan.
School Gardens in Washington County
Where are school gardens?
School gardens are the perfect outdoor classroom for a school community. If you or your child would like to find out if your school has a garden, search the Oregon Department of Education's Oregon Farm to School and School Garden Map.
What's a school garden without a curriculum?
- Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom provides ready-to-use kits for hands on classroom activities, literacy programs, hundreds of lessons, a lending library, virtual field trips and teacher workshops. Learn more about our partner at oregonaitc.org/programs/washingtoncounty/.
- Explore our Youth Education page to access loanable kits, curriculum and activities.
Food Access in Washington County
Affordable, local, fresh food options
Today, one in 10 people faces hunger in rural, urban and suburban communities throughout the state — not knowing where their next meal might come from. – Oregon Food Bank
There are many ways to access affordable local foods. Washington County has an amazing array of food pantry gardens and supportive farmers who work to ensure good food is available to everyone.
Resources from Tualatin SWCD:
Grow food in a garden!
- Grants
We offer grants to help fund the creation and maintenance of community and school gardens within Washington County.
See an example funded garden project - Information
We have compiled tips and information on our website to help you start and maintain a garden.
Grow Your Own Food Page - Connections
Learn about community garden needs throughout the county with our Community Gardens Needs Assessment conducted in 2023. These results continue to inform the services we offer.
Link to our 2023 report
