‘Community Transition Program’ in fund-raising Plant Sale

Take a look at all of the plants being grown – and sold – by this East Portland educational center. Their sale continues on May 6 and May 13 …

The greenhouse is full of plants and starts, ready to be taken home by eager gardeners.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Continuing their tradition, the Community Transition Program began their Spring Plant Sale season on Saturday, April 22, at their greenhouse in the Brentwood-Darlington neighborhood, on S.E. 60th Avenue.

Shoppers arrived from far and wide to browse the tables of plant and vegetable starts – a scene that presented a stunning sea of green across the large greenhouse.

Community Transition Program’s Vocational Transition Specialist, Rachel Hermansen, shows one of many flats of plants – started and grown by program students.

“Yes, this is the beginning of our annual Spring Plant Sale,” confirmed Rachel Hermansen, the Vocational Transition Specialist for the Community Transition Program. “This is a fund-raiser that puts money back into our program to help it continue.

“The Greenhouse Program is one of our vocational training sites,” Hermansen told East Portland News. “Students who are interning here in the greenhouse, actually start all of our plants from seeds, or by propagation – and then care for them throughout the year.”

Shoppers Sam Richmann and Sophie Biddle say they’re here from the Parkrose Heights neighborhood to shop, and say they are glad they did.

Community Transition Program participant Paul Swanson-Allen, cashiering during the sale says, “I like getting the working experience, and especially going out into the community”.

“We offer this program in the Community Transition Program because research has shown that students who are engaging in the community, and are working in hands-on activities, have better learning results,” Hermansen pointed out. “Some of our students have gone on to have paid employment in gardening positions – some in retail outlets such as Portland Nursery, and Parkrose Hardware.

“For students not interested in doing this as a vocation, it still gives them knowledge and skills to garden as a hobby, and a lifelong activity to enjoy,” Hermansen remarked.

There’s a wide variety of plants from which to choose at the Community Transition Program plant sale.

Their Spring Plant Sale continues on the Saturdays of May 6 and May 13 – just in time for Mother’s Day. It’s at the Green Thumb Campus, located at 6801 SE 60th Avenue, 97206.

Hermansen expressed their appreciation for donors to the event, including Stumptown Coffee, Portland Nursery, and Al’s Garden Supply.

Learn more about the Community Transition Program by visiting their website: CLICK HERE.

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