ORA Spotlight: Erin Lair

Highlighting the stories of ORA leaders.

Erin was elected to the Oregon Rural Action Board of Directors at the April 2021 Annual Meeting.  She has lived in Eastern Oregon for most of her life, growing up in Baker City. Erin is currently the Director of Teaching and Learning at the InterMountain Education Service District.  She and her husband are co-owners of a cherry orchard in Cove, Forest Cove Acres. 

When did you first become interested in community organizing?

I have always been interested in community organizing - often spearheading efforts specific to the education space. After spending over a decade in education, I became increasingly interested in the advocacy side of policy and legislation relating to rural communication ties. To that end, I have spent the better part of the last 5 years really trying to find ways to elevate the voice of rural Oregon in the legislative process, especially relating to opportunity and access. The more we leverage community organizing, the more we are able to spread education and understanding, and broaden the possibilities to know and serve each other better.

Why is this work important to you? 

Across myriad industries, the stories of rural communities are often misunderstood. The passion and advocacy for sustainable practices and equity are embedded in so many of the efforts of our communities. However, cohesion across efforts can be difficult in rural settings. What Oregon Rural Action offers is a uniting modality for connection. I really feel that the work in community organizing allows for stories to be shared and hard work to be done as we all move toward shared hopes for our future.

What changes would you like to see in your local community?

There is a lot of good work happening in silos and behind the public eye. I think our local community- and many rural communities- could work together to highlight the stories that showcase the incredible efforts coming from local producers, entrepreneurs, service industries, and others working toward bettering their community. 

What’s something bringing you joy at the moment? 

We recently purchased our cherry orchard- Forest Cove Acres. Although exhausting in a way I have never experienced, each day working toward our first cherry harvest brings me a sense of fulfillment I have never known before. Watching my family working side-by-side fills me with such profound joy daily.

Forest Cove Acres