​Stories connect people to their urban gardens and to the way they interact with the food system at large. These nineteen stories, collected by students as part of the Urban Agriculture & Food Systems Capstone at Portland State University in 2015 and 2016, present the rich diversity of participants engaged with Growing Gardens, a non-profit organization that supports low-income households with garden construction, seeds, plants, classes, and mentorship for three years. Each family has unique experiences and histories that led them to growing their own food and joining Growing Gardens. Our goal is to show the many facets that make up the growing community of urban gardeners in Portland, Oregon. Whether their motivations are political, social, or economic, each is integral to expanding the dialogue of what it means to be empowered, to overcome adversity, and to ensure food security for ourselves and future generations. Explore these stories by clicking on one of the photos below.