On this page you will learn about the Prosperity Garden Network, a Portland, OR based call to action to engage in mutual aid and placemaking while at a distance. Below are prompts on how to get involved, as well as documentation as participants share images and data.

The Prosperity Garden Network is a conceptual framing for people working in their own spaces to align themselves with a collective moment. We have the power and agency to organize themselves and be proactive about engaging in and building systems that help to create prosperity for all, even in the midst of physical distancing during the current pandemic. This project is similar to mutual aid projects that have popped up and is specific to sharing resources around gardening, be it for creating habitat or producing food, medicine and craft.

As the novel coronavirus forced folks to shelter at home in March, we noticed an uptick of gardening. One farmer friend could no longer easily find new seeds due to national demand. Conversations of “Victory Gardens” also emerged as we noticed similarities between our current struggle and World War II when the United States prompted citizens to farm as much as possible to deal with food shortages. We are also influenced by an art collective, the Future Farmers, who created an urban farm network in 2007 San Francisco.  

Instead of continuing the “Victory Garden” title, we moved toward “Prosperity Gardens” to remove ourselves from the war metaphor of “defeating.”We do have a struggle to overcome, but our goals are mutual aid, supporting diversity, learning, and growing.

To jump start the project, we’ve received almost $1000 worth of in-kind donations (plants, soil, pots, seeds) and have given away almost 600 plants to over 60 households/individuals, most from Queer and Trans and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.

Join the Network! Here’s how to participate:

1. Make a drawing or visual representation of your garden/garden plan

2. Add measurements to the garden plan image

3. For a social or collective component, we ask that for your garden you must gift away at least one thing (spare plants, soil, extra supply, etc) and/or to receive a gift as to be connected to the collective movement.

   1. We are acting as a conduit for sharing and receiving, however if your garden space already has its own social aspect then you have checked the box!