July Change for Good Partner: White Oak Farm
This month, we’re proud to support White Oak Farm, an inspiring organization that blends sustainable farming, environmental education, and community nourishment—right here in Southern Oregon.
White Oak Farm is a working farm and outdoor classroom that grows thousands of pounds of organic produce annually for local schools, food banks, and families in need. But they do so much more than just grow food - they’re cultivating connection, resilience, and opportunity.
School Gardens with Purpose
One of White Oak’s newest and most heartwarming partnerships is with Hidden Valley High School’s Life Skills class. Together with the school’s Woodworking Class (and some donated cedar boards from a local mill), they built raised garden beds to grow veggies and flowers. The vegetables go into a weekly Food Share program that helps over 100 local families, and the flowers are harvested by students and sold as bouquets to staff and families. It’s a beautiful cycle of empowerment, learning, and giving back.
Growing to Share
Through their Produce Share Program, White Oak Farm works with schools and food banks to ensure students and families have access to fresh, organic fruits and veggies. Apples, kale, cheese, ferments - you name it, they’ve probably grown it. This summer, they’re partnering with the Josephine County Food Bank to stock the Williams food pantry, and come fall, they’ll be sharing thousands of pounds of butternut squash, apples, and pears with local schools.
Restoring Lands, Growing Shade
Over the past six years, White Oak Farm has grown over half a million native plants for restoration efforts along Bear Creek, the Rogue River, and beyond. Now, they’re bringing that same energy to our urban neighborhoods. With funding from the Oregon Legislature and support from several partners, they’re launching a new tree-planting initiative aimed at reducing heat in low-income communities - especially those impacted by the Almeda Fire. Thousands of trees will be grown and given away to help cool and re-green the Valley for generations to come.
How You Can Help
When you round up at the register this July, you’re supporting White Oak Farm’s incredible efforts—from school gardens to food equity to climate resilience. Thank you for helping us grow something beautiful, together.
More Co-op News
September Change for Good: AFC Community Fund
As we enter the beautiful month of September here in Southern Oregon, we're excited to share that our Change for Good partner this month is our very own Community Fund. As many of you know, the Community Fund allows us to support amazing local projects and organizations doing great work right here in Southern Oregon.
August Change for Good - Partnering with ACCESS to Make a Difference!
We are honored to partner with ACCESS this August - a fantastic organization that has been serving our community for over four decades. ACCESS, which stands for "A Community in Action, Connecting, Empowering, and Strengthening Self-Sufficiency," is dedicated to addressing hunger, homelessness, and poverty in Southern Oregon.
Empowering Our Community: AFC's Community Grants Now Accepting Applications
As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting the local community, AFC is thrilled to announce the that we are accepting applications for our Community Grants program.
Ashland Food Co-op's Community Grants program is designed to foster meaningful change in the Southern Oregon region. Through these grants, we seek to support projects that align with our mission of promoting local and sustainable food systems, addressing food insecurity, and promoting community engagement.
July's Change for Good Partner - Maslow Project
Ashland Food Co-op is thrilled to partner with Maslow Project for our Change for Good program! Maslow Project is an incredible organization that works tirelessly to support homeless youth and families in Southern Oregon. Their mission is to empower individuals and families to achieve self-sufficiency, and they do this through a range of services including housing assistance, medical care, and educational support.
June 2023 Change for Good Partner: Southern Oregon Land Conservancy
The Ashland Food Co-op is teaming up with the Southern Oregon Land Conservancy (SOLC) as its Change for Good partner for this month. This collaboration aims to support SOLC's mission of conserving Southern Oregon's natural landscapes and habitats.
Bicycle Benefits
Here at the Co-op we are on a mission to promote healthy lifestyles and sustainable practices within our community.
May 2023 Change for Good Partner: Talent Maker City
Talent Maker City's mission is to build a more connected, prosperous, and resilient community through hands-on creativity and innovative STEAM-based learning. (STEAM = Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, & Math.) They have a bustling Makerspace facility, brimming with creative energy in downtown Talent offering hands-on STEAM-based workshops and programming for curious minds of all ages!
Celebrating Cinco de Mayo
We're always learning and growing here at the Co-op and with the approach of Cinco de Mayo we thought we would share a (very) brief history lesson and some thoughts on celebrating this holiday here in the United States.
April 2023 Change for Good Partner: Pollinator Project Rogue Valley
From Kristina Lefever, Pollinator Project Rogue Valley President
March 2023 Change for Good: Klamath Bird Observatory
From Klamath Bird Observatory, March 2023's Change for Good partner:
Frederick Douglass And Co-ops in 1846
When Douglass Came to Rochdale, England a Slave and Left a Free Man
By David J Thompson
February's Change for Good partner: OHRA
OHRA helps low-income people build better lives through access to social service resources. By helping
people move from crisis to stability, OHRA builds more capable individuals, stronger families, and a
better community. We have three core programs:
January Change for Good Partner: Ashland Food Angels
December Change for Good Partner: Rogue Action Center
December's Change for Good Partner is
Rogue Action Center
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The Rogue Action Center (RAC) builds organizing infrastructure, leaders, and community power for a just, inclusive, and sustainable Southern Oregon for everyone.