OREGON RURAL ACTION - Sowing Seeds of Change

There are compelling arguments on both sides of the debate over the Waxman-Markey climate change bill, and we want to know what you think.

Building strong communities by organizing citizens to promote social justice, agricultural and economic sustainability, and stewardship of the region's land, air and water

October 9th = Our Annual Gathering!

HIGHLIGHTS Leadership Transition: A Letter from the Executive Director "Last month, I asked Oregon Rural Action’s Board of Directors to develop a strategy that would allow me to transition from my current position as Executive Director in order to join the membership as an active volunteer." Read more... Eight Great Things We're Working On Born in 2001 of community interest in an organization that would work around locally identified issues, we believe the work that Oregon Rural Action is doing - the work that you are doing - is essential to developing the kinds of communities in which we want to live. Read more...

Your guide to connecting with local farms and farmers in Baker, Union and Wallowa Counties! Workshops, vendor fair, solar homes tour, dozens of community partners... We can't wait until next year. Read on if you can't either.

MEET GUS, A LOCAL FARMER CONCERNED ABOUT THE FOOD SAFETY BILL 

Gus brews and sells compost tea and raises pastured chickens on his farm, and he is a regular fixture at regional farmers’ markets. He is passionate about using sustainable farming practices. His farm is beyond organic, even though it does not have organic certification. In his biologically remineralized soils he grows a rich variety of produce that he sells directly to customers.  

Because of his close relationship with his customers, food safety is very important to Gus.  He states, “I sell my patrons safe, nutrient rich food, following state and local sanitation rules for direct sales at farmers markets.”  However, the additional fees and paperwork that the current unamended version of S.510, the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act proposes to add to his small, one-person business concern him deeply.  

When Gus had neck surgery recently he found himself unable to do many of the tasks he had previously been able to do on his farm.  He faced some tough choices about how to keep his business going, and he took on an intern to help out.  Though his income was tightened, he was able to pull through.  Yet as S.510 is currently written, small farmers are subject to the same fees and paperwork as larger operations, and Gus isn't so sure he can pull through that as well. Read Gus's story >>

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR STRONG RURAL COMMUNITIES!

Oregon Rural Action has a variety of clothing and accessories available for order from our store at CafePress. From t-shirts to tote bags, coffee mugs to caps, there are many great ways to show your passion for strong rural communities while helping support Oregon Rural Action's work. Visit our store today!