Grow a Place of Beauty and Belonging: Berry Creek Garden

Berry Creek Garden: A Place of Beauty in an Unexpected Space

Between two industrial warehouses, an overlooked courtyard will be transformed into a place alive with greenery, water, and light. The backdrop of steel and raw wood will frame the real stars: lush plants, artfully weathered pottery, and the gentle trickle of fountains. At the center will stand a greenhouse-like structure built from salvaged wood windows, a striking focal point that ties the space together. Inside, visitors will find quality hand tools, organic soil amendments, heirloom seeds, and a curated selection of garden gifts and goods.

Storytelling will be woven into every corner. Creative signage will share not just plant names, but how they support pollinators, restore habitat, or thrive in Oregon’s climate. We want every visitor to feel they have stepped into a space that is unexpected, unforgettable, and timeless.

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Why We’re Ready

Danny is a Master Gardener whose expertise is rooted in both formal training and hands-on practice. He works full-time as a gardener at the Allison Inn & Spa Culinary Garden, where he helps cultivate produce and plants that supply one of the region’s most celebrated hospitality destinations. He maintains a plot at the McMinnville Community Garden, where he also pitches in as a volunteer in various ways. His love for the natural world shines in his commitment to starting healthy plants from seed and cuttings and in his belief that gardening should be approachable for everyone.

Lee brings a career that began in food, hospitality, and event design before expanding into brand building and destination marketing. Early on, Lee worked in the family catering company, gaining experience in fine dining, large-scale event design and small business leadership. Later, as a Marketing Team Leader at Whole Foods Market, Lee honed skills in storytelling, merchandising, and customer engagement that continue to shape his work today.

At Durant at Red Ridge Farms, Lee led a comprehensive rebrand that united four distinct businesses into one nationally recognized destination for wine, olive oil, specialty nursery plants, and culinary tourism. Over eight years, he expanded a small two-day olive oil celebration into the Olio Nuevo Festival, a month-long annual event that draws visitors with its focus on local food, wine, and culture. Under his leadership, Durant became a “must-stop” in Oregon wine country, recognized as an industry leader while achieving rapid growth in both visitation and sales.

As Director of Marketing and Communications at Visit McMinnville , Lee shapes how the town is seen and experienced by visitors from across the globe. From launching the “Kick Back in Mac” campaign to building a new website, producing hundreds of social campaigns and videos, and leading national media tours, Lee’s work transforms stories into real visitation that drives the local economy. Beyond tourism, Lee has also championed community projects such as McMinnville Art Alley, the Edible Garden Festival, Merry McMinnville, MacFresco, and the Solid Foundations Tour - initiatives that turned overlooked ideas and spaces into thriving experiences for the community.

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Why It Matters

Berry Creek Garden is more than plants on shelves. It is a hub for sustainable gardening, a platform for education, and a respite in the heart of McMinnville’s growing Granary District. By growing much of our own stock in a retrofitted greenhouse at Tainable Labs, we will provide healthy, locally cultivated plants that are not shipped in from hundreds of miles away. By curating native species and teaching practical gardening skills, we will help people create yards and habitats that are as good for the planet as they are beautiful.

With your support, Berry Creek Garden will take root and grow into something extraordinary.

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What We Need

We are raising $40,000 to bring Berry Creek Garden to life.

Your support will help fund:

Greenhouse Retrofit at Tainable Labs :

Retail Space Upgrades at Mac Market :

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The Impact

Berry Creek Garden will:

This is about more than retail. It is about growing resilience, beauty, and community from the ground up.

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Risks and Challenges

Retrofitting a greenhouse and transforming a raw alley into a thriving nursery come with challenges such as construction costs, supply chain delays, and the unpredictability of retail. With our combined backgrounds in marketing, retail, nonprofit leadership, and event production, along with strong community partnerships, we are prepared to adapt and succeed.

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Other Ways You Can Help

If donating is not possible, you can still make a difference:

Together, we can transform a forgotten alley into a thriving community space, rooted in nature and connection.