Columbia Basin Chapter
The Columbia Basin Chapter of Oregon Rural Action (based in Umatilla and Morrow Counties)
The Columbia Basin Chapter was kicked off in November 2008 and anticipated a first issue campaign to expand local recycling options. Due to the economic downturn and its effect on the recycling market, the chapter has focused its attentions on establishing a community garden in Hermiston and working to safeguard water resources.
Read the resolution of welcome to the Columbia Basin Chapter that was passed at our Seventh Annual Convention on October 10, 2008.
Get Involved. Contact info@oregonrural.org for more information on how to get involved with the chapter.
CHAPTER BLOG AND UPDATES
County-wide event keeps drugs out of area waterways
On Saturday, May 22nd, the Columbia Basin Chapter sponsored a pharmaceutical drug disposal day in Hermiston. Working with the Oregon State Police and Good Shepherd Medical Center, members collected four large boxes of unused or unwanted medications for incineration.
Pharmaceutical Disposal Day
Join the Columbia Basin Chapter on Saturday May 22nd at Good Shepherd Medical Center in Hermiston to dispose of your unwanted expired, unused or unwanted medicines.
Chapter Update: Spring 2010
Earlier this month the Columbia Basin Chapter enjoyed the beautiful spring weather at the Echo Red to Red mountain bike race. To show support of race organizer, and CBC member Brian Cimmiyotti, members manned a table at the event, shared information on ORA’s work and sold cookies to “support clean air, land and water.” The chapter continues to plan for a pharmaceutical disposal day this spring in Hermiston.
Chapter Update: Fall 2009
In June the Columbia Basin Chapter handed off its nascent community garden to the local FFA in order to focus its energies on a campaign to safeguard local water resources by publicizing and offering appropriate disposal options for pharmaceuticals.
Chapter Update: Summer 2009
The Columbia Basin Chapter has been cooking along since its inception this past November. After shelving its proposed recycling campaign due to the impact of the economic crisis, the chapter has narrowed in on focusing its efforts on local water quality and quantity issues.
Chapter begins Hermiston Community Garden Project
In February 2009, Oregon Rural Action reached an agreement with M Community & Harvest Gardens and the Agape House to coordinate the Hermiston Community Garden for the summer 2009. The garden will be located at the corner of West Beech Street and Northwest 2nd Street on a little over half an acre of land.
East Oregonian runs follow-up on chapter
The East Oregonian and Hermiston Herald report on the chapter's progress since its kick-off celebration, including its decision on whether to continue on with a recycling campaign despite its difficulty midst the economic crisis or to focus on some other campaign more immediately.
Chapter Update: Winter 2009
The Columbia Basin Chapter is up and running, with temporary officers elected. With an initial campaign to expand local recycling options, members are now weighing their options in light of the severe effect of the economic recession on the recycling industry.
Introducing ORA's newest chapter
It was a cool November night in Hermiston as the hour drew near. By chance, half a dozen other events were taking place around town, leaving members to silently ask themselves how many people would show up to celebrate the kickoff of Oregon Rural Action’s fourth and newest chapter. Two months of focused work on the part of the organizing committee had gone into setting the stage for this very moment.
From Anoka to Africa, Portland to Pendleton—The Story of a Farmers’ Market Rabble-rouser
For the past two years Karen Wagner has been working behind the scenes as the Project Manager for Oregon Rural Action’s Statewide Farmers’ Market Promotion Project. Now that the grant is completed, she will be stepping out of her role as a staff member. In honor of her service, we wanted to profile Karen and all the good work she has done.
Kicking Off the Columbia Basin Chapter
Over 30 people gathered on November 20, in Hermiston to celebrate the kick off of Oregon Rural Action's fourth and newest chapter. Not bad for an evening when a half dozen other events were taking place around town!
