We are proud to name this Fellowship for Viviane Barnett—a Black Portlander and civic leader who spearheaded a groundbreaking community gardening movement from 1968-1970.
Working with community members in Portland’s Albina district, Barnett pursued a wide array of partnerships and collaborations to support food security through a community gardening program called Green Fingers. At its height, the program served around 1,500 participants. Despite the popularity and national attention garnered by Green Fingers, Viviane had to overcome numerous disruptions to the program as a result of institutional racism in Portland city government and planning offices, including frequent displacement and garden sites that were razed mid-season, before harvest.
For her perseverance, love of community, and leadership, we endeavor to honor the memory of Viviane Barnett with this Fellowship.
Learn more about Viviane Barnett and the Green Fingers program
To learn more about the program and the Cohort for the 2021-2022 year Click Here.
To see more about this and see photos from the 2019 conference Click Here.
To see more about this and see photos from the 2020 conference Click Here.