May 11, 2011

Perhaps you've stopped by to buy a dozen eggs, acquire a new piece of art for your home, or visit with the ducks and goats.

Or perhaps not. You may not have heard of Project Grow, a true Portland gem - not all of us had before a group of Project Grow participants arrived at City Hall on Monday morning.

Project Grow is an offshoot of the Port City Development Center, which has provided employment and employment alternatives to developmentally-impaired adults in Portland since the mid-1970s.

Since early 2009, the Project Grow arts and farming community has hosted about 30 adults, who "plant, nurture and harvest local crops, paint, draw, and weave," writes Chad Walsh of Neighborhood Notes.

Project Grow art is sold online and in galleries and shops across Portland, and the farm produces enough produce that there's extra to sell to local restaurants like New Seasons, The Farm Cafe, and more - and, if you stop by, there's a dozen eggs for you as well!

Neighbors have embraced the group, writes Ellen Spitaleri in the Portland Tribune, donating land to support the farming operation, offering food for the chickens, and purchasing harvested food and artwork.

We're so proud to host this talented group of artists!

They'll be producing works of art inspired by their time here - we can't wait to see what they come up with.

(Also check them out on Facebook, Vimeo, and YouTube, where they have lots of fun videos posted)