Meet Board of Director Dean Williamson
Dean Williamson is a newly elected Ashland Food Co-op Board of Director. He brings to the table a plethora of co-op experience and a love of chocolate chip cookies. We are thrilled to have him aboard and asked him to answer a few questions.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
My wife and I are relatively new to the area, having relocated to Ashland from Bozeman, MT, where we owned a vegetable farm and where I also worked at Montana State University. Currently, I direct the Farm at SOU, and she is a massage therapist, nutrition guide and wellness guru. I served on the co-op board in Bozeman for 12 years and have also worked at the Boise Co-op, so I am happy to share what I have seen and be helpful in any way I can. I have been a teacher, and will be again in the fall of '18 (sustainable food systems at SOU); I was a creative writing major and have a Ph.D. in Native American literature. I’m left handed and purple is my favorite color. Summer days I like to fill with farms and outdoors-stuff: paddling the rivers or backpacking the mountains. And, I think there is not a single thing that can’t be made better by eating a chocolate chip cookie.
Why do you want to lead the Co-op?
I am excited to join the Ashland Food Co-op’s Board of Directors. Co-ops, as we know, do business in the best ways, guided by inclusive principles and committed to community, and organizational prosperity. For me, helping support the Ashland Food Co-op is another chance to continue to do my part to create and maintain an honorable, localized, and secure food system. As a farmer, I appreciate the Ashland Food Co-op’s commitment to locally produced food and products. I think it’s important to have a grower-perspective on the board, especially in competitive times such as these. As a former co-op board member, I am excited to offer my experience to the Ashland Food Co-op, as we grapple with the challenges of growth—not merely for the sake of expansion, but to serve the needs of the members and to spread the co-op model—and the food—to more people. As a former co-op employee, I believe a happy, dedicated, caring staff is the foundation for success; that core dedication helps support the vision for future success. The issues facing agriculture and retail grocery are challenging and complex, and so now more than ever, we need a hopeful and supportive way to thrive: the co-op way.
What is the one product from the Co-op you can't live without and why?
I think I already blew my cover on this one: it's the cookie. It's a life-long deal with me--not a problem so much as an opportunity.
More Co-op News
May Change for Good Recipient: Rogue Valley Farm to School
Open House Hiring Event
The Ashland Food Co-op is excited to provide employees with a fun, professional workplace with potential for growth and advancement. We see every day as an opportunity to better our community, our planet, and ourselves! Eligible employees will receive a 15% employee discount on all store purchases, affordable healthcare, 3.5 weeks of paid time off in your first year for vacation and sick days, matching 401K plan after 1 year, productivity and profit sharing bonus opportunities, free organic produce every day... and so much more!
Standing with Democracy
Our Community Food Co-op has joined, along with other co-ops across the nation, to donate to a Disaster Recovery Fund organized by National Co+op Grocers (NCG) Cooperation, Cooperative Development Foundation (CDF) and National Co-op Business Association of the United States (NCBA CLUSA) to Co-op Ukraine to support cooperatives impacted by the war in Ukraine.
Thank you for 50 years.
Celebrate our anniversary with us!
June 3rd, 2022 at the Ashland Food Co-op:
March Change for Good Partner: Southern Oregon Land Conservancy
February Change for Good Partner: Rogue Farm Corps
January Change for Good Partner: Rogue Climate
January's Change for Good Partner is
local nonprofit Rogue Climate
Rogue Climate was founded in 2013 in the Rogue Valley of Southern Oregon.
August Change for Good Partner: Community Works
August's Change for Good Partner is
November Change for Good Partner: Southern Oregon Climate Action Now
November Change for Good Partner: Southern Oregon Climate Action Now
November's Change for Good Partner is
October Change for Good Partner: AFC Gives Community Fund
October's Change for Good Partner is
September Change for Good Partner: Center for NonProfit Legal Services
September's Change for Good Partner is
Center for NonProfit Legal Services
The Center for NonProfit Legal Services has provided free/low-cost civil legal assistance to low-income persons and seniors residing in Jackson County since 1972.