OREGON RURAL ACTION - Sowing Seeds of Change

Please pardon our mess,

 our website is under (major) construction.....

We'll be functioning normally (and improved!!)  shortly. Thank you for your patience.

Wednesday,

Dec. 14

7:30-9 PM

Having dropped the plans for the National

Animal Identification System (NAIS), USDA

is back again for Round Two. The agency

has proposed a rule that would require livestock

producers, related business, and state agencies

to incur significant expense tracking animals that

cross state lines-- all for the benefit of large

Agribusiness.

ORA in Washington D.C.!

ORA Board Chair, Bill Whitaker, represented

ORA and many others in opposition of the

Keystone XL Pipeline in the November 6th

Human Chain Around the Whitehouse. Read

about the proposed pipeline here and

join thousands of other citizens in

opposition here. 

THE LAST MOUNTAIN

"The mining and burning of coal is at the

epicenter of America's struggle to balance

its energy needs with environmental concerns. Nowhere is that concern greater than in

Coal River Valley, West Virginia, where a

small but passionate group of ordinary citizens are trying to stop Big Coal corporations, like

Massey Energy, from continuing the

devastating practice of Mountain Top

Removal." - The Last Mountain

Don’t Miss the Annual Meeting!

Celebrating 10 great years (and counting...)

March 3rd, 2012

At the Maridell Center in La Grande, OR 

(directly across from the ORA office)

1:30 pm-­ 7 pm

Featuring guest speaker
Ken Meter
One of the most experienced food system analysts in the United States, with 41 years experience in inner city and rural community capacity building”, he has performed 79 studies in 30 states. Contracted by Oregon Rural Action, Ken Meter conducted an Economic Assessment of Food Systems Study in Union, Wallowa, Umatilla and Baker Counties, and will present the data found followed by Q&A discussion.

New Report Points Toward a Sustainable Future for the U.S. Power Sector

WORC joined with the Civil Society Institute in releasing Synapse Report, Toward a Sustainable Future for the U.S. Power Sector: Beyond Business as Usual, a report outlining a realistic path for a cleaner and less expensive energy future. The report also finds that Westerners would likely see lower electricity costs by 2020 if the U.S. adopts a long-term strategy to replace coal-fire electricity with energy efficiency and renewable resources.

You can download and read the full report here !

Thank you, ORA Members! We did it!!!

Our 2011 Annual Appeal was a success- as of January 9th, dedicated and supportive members invested in ORA's 2012 efforts by raising $3,007.

A BIG, heartfelt "Thank You!" to all who contributed! Also, a round of applause for Janet Rose Marie & Ken and Jeri Watson for their inspiring letters.

Oregon Rural Action boasts such amazing members. Thank you to everyone for everything you do for ORA, you are such a powerful voice.

We're looking forward to an

exciting year!

The Energy Team is making great progress with the Solarize Union County project, with big plans in motion already. March brings the long-awaited Annual Meeting, featuring guest speaker Ken Meter showcasing the findings of his Food Systems Analysis, a regional study contracted by ORA. The Community Garden and Youth Projects ramp up in May, along with the Solar Fair. And don't forget the 2nd Annual Barn Dance in July! There are too many great events and projects to list, so stay tuned!

Get involved, attend your local chapter meeting!

Snake River Chapter gathers on January 18th at St. Matthew's Parish in Ontario.

Blue Mountain Chapter will meet at ORA headquarters on January 26th from 6-8pm.

Help support the efforts of Oregon Rural Action, give the gift of a donation today!

Show Your Oregon Rural Action Pride