Hope Grows Here is a mentor-supported gardening, nutrition education, and wellness study for cancer survivors adapted from the evidence-based Harvest for Health intervention.

Master Gardener mentors are paired with cancer survivors to provide support as survivors learn to grow and tend vegetable gardens together at community gardens (with an option for home gardening). Hope Grows Here is made possible through the Moore Family Center’s partnerships with the Linus Pauling Institute, Samaritan Cancer Resource Centers, OSU Extension Master Gardener Programs of Linn and Benton Counties, Lupe’s Garden, Porter Park Community Garden, and through a grant from the Allen Foundation.

Learn more about Hope Grows Here

• Information for interested participants (cancer survivors).
• Information for interested Master Gardener volunteers.
• Information for interested student intern and volunteers.

Participants

The Hope Grows Here study is open to any adult (18 years+) cancer survivors living in Benton or Linn counties, who have completed their primary cancer treatment.

There is no limit as to how long ago you were diagnosed with cancer. To find out if you are eligible to participate, please complete the online eligibility survey.

Completion of this survey will only determine if you may be eligible to apply, it does not sign you up as a participant nor commit you to participate in Hope Grows Here.

For more information, please contact Candace Russo (study manger) at: [email protected]

Master Gardener Volunteers

Interested Master Gardeners can volunteer for Hope Grows Here as either a Garden Mentor or Garden Educator. Hours spent on both opportunities qualify for your required Master Gardener volunteer hours.

Garden Mentors

Garden Mentors are paired with participants (either 1:1 or with a small group) and meet regularly throughout the summer gardening season (May – September).

Time commitment

1-2 hours for training, plus ½ hour a week for 20 weeks, May – September (total = 12 hours).

Garden Educators

Garden Educators work with the Hope Grows Here study manager to develop and deliver four basic gardening classes during the months of March and April. Classes will be delivered remotely, and recorded.

Time commitment

Approximately 12 hours.

Information

For more information, please contact Candace Russo (study manager) at: [email protected]

Student Intern and Volunteers

Interns

We do not currently have any open internships for Hope Grows Here.

Volunteers

Seasonal volunteer opportunities exist for students to help with Hope Grows Here. Students with an interest in nutrition, public health promotion and health behavior, gardening, and therapeutic horticulture are encouraged to reach out to the study manager to find out if any current opportunities are available.

Please contact Candace Russo at [email protected].