Portland State University Programming

LGL partners with PSU to offer undergrad students a variety of capstone opportunities in the garden each term.

Fall 2025 offerings:

• Learning Gardens & Sustainability: In this Capstone we will explore personal connection to our environment, food, and the land while engaging systems thinking, ecological design concepts, and alternative and critical perspectives on sustainability. This course focuses on community building, group discussion, personal reflection, and hands-on garden stewardship.
• Restorative Gardening, Mindfulness, and Nature Connection: This capstone centers around the Mindfulness Sanctuary at LGL where students will engage in garden experiences to promote a sense of peace, belonging and connection with the living world. Throughout the term, students will explore regenerative land stewardship topics through readings, discussion and hands-on activities. Students will also explore mindfulness practices as a community during class and through a “nature connection sit spot” at home. Finally, in partnership with LGL, students will design a hands-on “peace-making” project using natural cycles and patterns in the Mindfulness Sanctuary.
• Farm Education for Youth: This course will combine classroom learning with community-based learning at a local farm and garden site. Our classroom learning will focus on various aspects of our national food system through an exploration of the Farm Bill. When we are not in the classroom, we will partner with the Learning Gardens Laboratory to provide garden-based field trips for elementary age youth focused on food, farming and the land.

Read about Education, K-12 Programming, Professional Development, & Community Offerings