In 1984, Dan Barker, founder of the Home Gardening Project Foundation, began donating raised-bed vegetable gardens to needy people in the Portland, Oregon area. Since then, he has built over 1400 gardens and his foundation has helped other people set up similar gardening projects all over the country. His work has been written up in numerous publications including the September 1997 issue of Smithsonian magazine.

Founder Kate Deyst read the 1997 Smithsonian article, and the seed of an idea germinated. She talked with her friend Cindy Buhner about doing something similar to the Home Gardening Project. Late in 2001, they launched Growing Places Garden Project.

Their first season, they managed to find 5 clients. With some ideas, a few tools, their own hard work and a whole lot of learning, 5 gardens were built and the concept of GPGP became a reality.

Now, with a great group of volunteers, GPGP has managed to build over 100 gardens in its service area and helped many families provide themselves and others with fresh vegetables and herbs.

In the autumn of 2007, Kate and Cindy realized that they had taken GPGP as far as they could, and that GPGP needed a strong leader who would move the organization toward greater financial independence and a higher level of service to its constituents. To ensure the ongoing growth and development of GPGP, Kate and Cindy and the Board of Directors undertook a search for GPGP's first full-time paid Executive Director. The search committee rapidly identified Jodi Breidel as a leading candidate from a large pool of highly qualified applicants. She accepted their offer in March, 2008.

Jodi came to GPGP from WHEAT Community Services in Clinton, Ma., where she held the position of Executive Director for six years. Over the years, GPGP has worked closely with WHEAT and with Jodi to serve low income gardeners in the 5 towns served by WHEAT, all of which are contained in GPGP's own 20 town service area. GPGP was impressed by WHEAT's accomplishments under Jodi's leadership, and they are confident that she will enable GPGP to grow and thrive in much the same way.

Kate and Cindy continue to be involved with GPGP, serving on the board of directors, volunteering, and providing support to Jodi as she assumes her leadership role. They also handle the logistics of garden donation and haul massive quantities of soil around - one of their favorite jobs!