The Minh Chau Garden serves as a living laboratory for growing vegetables and herbs. As a key teaching resource, students and faculty sustain its purpose and vitality every year by producing food for the nutrition program and student pantry.

An added glory to this nourishing space is a mural installation that celebrates nature and natural medicine. The mural features a dozen medicinal herbs in a whimsical manner, paying homage to food as medicine.

NUNM is deeply thankful for the gracious support of Michael and Simone Chilton. This garden honors Simone, whose Vietnamese name is Minh Chau.

About the Chiltons
Michael and Simone Chilton have been long-time supporters of natural medicine. Notably, the NUNM library has a special collection built around a substantial gift from the Chiltons. Their donation of more than 2,000 books in the subject area of botanical sciences, including many valuable herbal books from the 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, will preserve materia medica for NUNM students today and beyond.

About the artist
Adam Ciresi received his MFA from Pacific Northwest College of Art and BFA from Portland State University. He is a multidisciplinary artist exploring various mediums and modes of making, with an intensive background in painting, from oil and acrylic to large-scale murals in spray paint.

NUNM is pleased to welcome the Portland community to enjoy the Minh Chau Garden. Please note that the garden’s hours of operation, listed below, are subject to change.

Hours of Operation

Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5.30 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Closed on Sundays, major holidays, and for special events