Every great community is built on a solid foundation. Growing ideas is essential for a healthy functioning society. Community Cultivators is a non-profit located in Portland that aims to provide an opportunity for seniors and underserved people in our community to take a more active role in strengthening the roots of the community.

Established earlier this year, Community Cultivators provides accessible, raised garden beds in neighborhood locations. Working with non-profit organizations such as houses of worship, residential communities and other sites to create community gardens for neighboring seniors and other underserved populations. The organization also gives neighbors the opportunity to meet each other while tending their garden plots or while participating in on-site workshops and classes on topics ranging from organic gardening, to preserving foods, to cooking and nutrition.

Community Cultivators was originally formed as Weaver’s Tale Retreat Center (WTRC). The name Weaver’s Tale originated from the concept of seniors sharing their life stories (tales) while participating in (weaving) therapeutic activities such as massage, nature, music, art and others. For Weaver’s Tale/Community Culivators the experience of connecting people with nature remains crucial alongside the additional goals of offering nutritious food and creating community connections.

Community Cultivators is partnered with a number of gardens in the Portland area. These gardens include: Parkrose Heights Community Garden, Portland Memory Garden, Saint Luke Community Garden, and Sunset Convent Community Garden.

In addition to their partnerships with local gardens the organization offers a variety of classes, workshops and programs throughout the year to to educate, build community and enrich the lives of everyone involved. Some of the events/classes that can be found at CC include: cooking classes where participants Learn new tips and techniques for preparing delicious meals under the expert tutelage of  Chef Nathan. Garden workshops are also offered at the local gardens that work with CC. The organization also hosts an annual seed swap where members swap seeds and stories with one another.

If you’d like to volunteer with Community Cultivators you can contact them here.

This week at Portland Radio Project we featured the Community Cultivators as part of our award-winning Community Voices series. You can listen below to interviews with key members of the organization:

Kate Bodin, Executive Director – Community Cultivators

Patty Cassidy, HTR, Board member – Community Cultivators

Mary Putera – Pastor, Sunset Covenant Church

Amanda Kelley-Lopez, HT intern and Garden Project Cultivator for Community Cultivators

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