Oregonians Invited to Celebrate the State’s Organic Agricultural Community
“Organically Grown in Oregon Week” highlights 22 years of innovation and abundance statewide, September 13 – 19, 2010
SALEM, Ore. – September 3, 2010 – Organically Grown in Oregon Week celebrates its 22nd anniversary this month with a variety of educational and family-friendly activities offering the public firsthand experiences with the local organic community and the abundant, delicious and healthful foods it produces. The tradition of dedicating a week to building public awareness for organics in Oregon began in 1988, as a way to pay tribute to the state’s organic industry and recognize the leaders of the movement including its certifiers, farmers markets and consumers. Today, the Oregon Organic Coalition (OOC) - the first statewide organic advocacy group in the country - invites Oregonians to participate in the festivities scheduled throughout the state from September 13-19th.Celebrate the Organic Riches of the Rogue River Valley
A crop of activities scheduled in and around the Rogue River Valley are designed to challenge eaters to become active in supporting Southern Oregon’s local foodshed and increase awareness of local, organic food sources.
September 11, 11a.m. - 4 p.m.
Eat Local and Organically Grown in Oregon Festival Ashland Food Co-op. Celebrate another year of eating locally at the Ashland Food Co-op store plaza. Enjoy music by the bluegrass band Eight Dollar Mountain, make your Eat Local Challenge commitment for the year and sign up with THRIVE, then sit down to enjoy Willow Witt Pulled Pork Sliders and Rolling Hills Peach Cobbler. Vegetarian option available. Free event; $5 meal.
Monday, September 13, 7 - 9 p.m
View the documentary What's on Your Plate? David Minor Theater, 180 East 5th Ave., Eugene. Organically Grown Company presents a free showing of “What’s on Your Plate?,” award-winning director Catherine Gund’s witty and provocative documentary about kids and food politics. Enjoy free samples of organic beer from Oakshire Brewing, organic popcorn from Capella Market and Coconut Bliss organic coconut frozen dessert. Open to the public. Voluntary donations will benefit the Willamette Farm and Food Coalition.
Saturday, September 18, 3 -7 p.m
Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides Fundraiser at King Estate Winery, Join this annual fundraiser featuring children’s performances by Dana Able of Mity River, live music by Gypsy Moon, hors d’ oeuvres, wine and beer. Learn about the state of pesticide reform and celebrate the winner of the 2010 Rachel Carson Award. An auction and raffle will raise money for this important environmental organization. Cycling enthusiasts can bike to King Estate and enjoying a self-guided tour of the area. Tickets are $20/person or $30/family and include a one-year membership to NCAP. Tickets for NCAP members are $10 /person or $20/family. Visit the NCAP website for more event details.
Portland Area Activities Showcase the Region’s Organic Abundance. Explore the region’s organic offerings by participating in the following events, offered during Organically Grown in Oregon Week:
Tuesday, September 14, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m
Visit Oregon Tilth’s Teaching Garden at Luscher Farm. 125 Rosemont Road, West Linn, OR. Visit Oregon Tilth’s demonstration garden and take home tips for fall soil building techniques. Learn about mulching, cover cropping and composting, and put these organic practices into action. Experience the new educational signage explaining crop culture and organic techniques. Staff experts will be on hand to answer questions and lead informal tours. Open to the public. Free.
Wednesday, September 15, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Oregon Organic Coalition’s 2010 Awards in Excellence Luncheon - The Ecotrust Building, 721 NW Ninth, Portland, OR. Winners of this year’s OOC Awards for Excellence will be announced during a luncheon ceremony held at Portland’s Ecotrust Building. More than 100 representatives from the organic community will gather to honor modern-day organic pioneers, including organic farmer Zoë Bradbury, who will deliver the keynote address, along with her father, Bill Bradbury, former Oregon Secretary of State and longtime legislator.
Sip Organic Wine. Visit the tasting rooms at Sokol Blosser, Cooper Mountain and King Estate from September 17-19, and taste wines made from certified organic grapes. Mention Organically Grown in Oregon Week for a free sample of some of their featured tastings. Open to the public.
Saturday, September 18, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Tour an Organic Farm and Winery with Food Front NW – Take the Ecoshuttle to Gathering Together Farm and Evesham Wood Winery near Corvallis. Enjoy two guided tours, lunch on the farm, a wine sampling at the vineyard, and the sights, smells and flavors of organic farming. Fee: $39 per person. Reservations are required, call 503.222.5658 ext. 133.
About Oregon Organic Coalition. The Oregon Organic Coalition (OOC) was formed in 2005 to advance the development and growth of the state’s organic agricultural community and trade. OOC brings together representatives of the organic trade as the stakeholders of the organic food system. Together, they support research on organic systems at Oregon State University, advocacy, alliances with like-minded groups, marketing programs and conferences, and provide direction and endorsements for activities that promote Oregon’s organic industry.
Portland, Oregon - The National Association of Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs will hold its 18th annual conference, October 6-9, 2010 in Portland, Oregon at the Hilton Hotel, Downtown.
“Planting Ideas, Harvesting Health” is the theme to this year’s conference. Making the connection between good nutrition, local agriculture and health, workshops will include the role of farmers’ markets in a sustainable food system, how farmers’ markets can be a catalyst for sustainable food purchasing in health care institutions, senior nutrition, WIC cash value voucher implementation and farmer training, grant writing and farmers’ market promotions. The annual meeting for the association will be held in conjunction with the conference on Friday, October 8th from 8:00 am to 10:00 am.
A screening of the movie “Good Food” will take place on Thursday evening, October 7th. Good Food visits farmers, farmers’ markets, distributors, stores, restaurants and public officials developing a more sustainable food system for all in the Pacific Northwest. The conference will conclude on Saturday, October 9th with visits to Farm Works Farm on Sauvie Island and the Portland Farmers’ Market at Portland State University. For more information click here.
The National Association of Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs is a non-profit corporation founded in 1992. It is the nation’s only organization that links states, the District of Columbia, Indian Tribal Organizations, Territories and others with a stake in USDA’s WIC and Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs with a shared mission
About the USDA Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs:
Through two federal programs, checks or coupons are provided to eligible WIC families and seniors to purchase fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables. (For the Senior FMNP, states may also allow honey as an eligible food). Both programs expand the awareness, use of and sales at farmers’ markets, roadside stands and/or community supported agriculture farms.
Conference Agenda
Travel Information
2010 Registration Form
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