Meet our August CFG Recipient!
Meet our August Change for Good recipient, The Crest at Willow-Witt! This organization is an environmental education nonprofit located in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. They believe believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to build a meaningful connection with the natural world. Through outdoor school, summer camps, field trips, volunteer opportunities, and public events, The Crest welcomes thousands of youth and adults to the ranch each year.
Willow-Witt Ranch includes 445 acres nestled in a valley at almost 5000’ elevation, in the central Cascade Range and within the boundaries of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. The terrain at Willow-Witt Ranch supports ecologically complex systems, which are enhanced through responsible management practices.
This nonprofit relies on donations to support youth programs and give community groups the chance to experience the wonders of nature to learn about and feel a connection to the natural world. The Crest at Willow-Witt also works to remove barriers to participation by providing scholarships and transportation assistance so that more students can experience hands-on environmental education.
Their vision includes five main pillars:
- Conservation: “Use our resources wisely as we only have one earth.”
- Reciprocity: “This land has been home to people for over 8000 years. All humans have impacted the land. We strive to return to balance and to follow nature’s teachings.”
- Education: “We respect the land as our teacher.”
- Stewardship: “We strive to cultivate a continuum of care for land, people, relationships, and ways of accessing and learning as our world evolves.”
- Trust: “We follow the principles of reciprocity and respect for the earth and people. We strive to foster love, compassion, knowledge and care for all people and nature. We monitor our efforts to remain on this path.”
The diverse landscape and daily work at The Crest offer countless opportunities to explore organic regenerative farming, holistic land management, animal husbandry, restorative forestry, wetland restoration, and archaeological discovery. Whether your visit is for an hour or for a week, their programs encourage schools, community groups, and families to take full advantage of this rich and dynamic outdoor classroom!
For more information, visit www.thecrestatwillowwitt.org
More Co-op News
We're All Turtles
By Dean Williamson, Board of Director
My grandmother loved to talk. Oh, could she talk! And she had one expression that I’ve always really liked. “If you come across a turtle on top of a fence post, you can be pretty sure it didn’t get there by itself.”
The Power of Principle Seven
By Emile Amarotico, General Manager
As we approach the holidays, I’d like to invoke the spirit of the Seventh Cooperative Principle: Concern for Community. The International Cooperative Alliance defines Principle Seven as when “cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members.”
So how does that work? How does Ashland Food Co-op demonstrate concern for community?
The Co-op is Certified Organic! What does that mean?
By Barry Haynes, Store Manager
Did you know that the Ashland Food Co-op is the only Certified Organic Retailer in southern Oregon. Well, that’s great! But what does that actually mean?
Love Local with the Local Guy
Throughout September, we will be celebrating all things local. And no one loves local or is more local than our Temporary Demo Coordinator, Brighton Litjens. He was basically raised at the Co-op, has a strong passion for local farmers and producers and loves delighting shoppers with delicious samples and great deals. Who better to tell us about loving local than the "Local Guy" himself?
Tell us a bit about yourself.
Owner Benefits: Independence and Connection
By Julie O'Dwyer, Board Secretary, Chair of the Owner Engagement Committee
Meet Board of Director Trine Ostergaard
Trine Ostergaard is a newly elected Ashland Food Co-op Board of Director. She brings a world, literally, of experience to the table and has a sincere passion and love for the Co-op. We are thrilled to have her aboard and asked her to answer a few questions.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
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.
Staff Picks: Favorite Local Products
September is Love Local Month! All month long we’re celebrating our local farmers and vendors with demos, events and more. Here are some of our staff's favorite local products.
How Can I Reduce My Plastic Use at the Co-op?
By Rianna Koppel, Sustainability Coordinator
Plastic pollution today is a global dilemma. Did you know that more than 40% of plastic is used once, then tossed? In 2015, 79% of total plastic waste ended up in landfills or the environment. How can our co-op help reduce the amount of single-use plastics? Luckily, we offer a variety of options for owners.
Stainless Steel Straws
Meet Pachamama Coffee Cooperative
By Lauren Taber, Pachamama Coffee Cooperative
Pachamama Coffee Cooperative started in 2001 with a few simple questions in mind: what would it look like to take Fair Trade a step further? How can coffee farmers be in direct relationship with end consumers in the United States?
We found that the answer was even simpler: cooperative ownership. Pachamama Coffee has been 100% farmer-owned since day one, and is currently owned by 140,000 small scale family farmers across the coffee producing regions of the world.
Community Cider Backyard Fruit Drive
How often can you browse the shelf at your neighborhood grocery store, see a bottle of hand crafted, local cider and say, “Hey, I help make that!” Well, at the Co-op you can.
2018 Board Election Results
The AFC Board of Directors is pleased to announce the results of the 2018 Board Election. There were three excellent candidates running for two Board positions. In total, 905 votes were cast.
Congratulations to the following candidates who will serve three-year terms on the Ashland Food Co-op Board of Directors.
Thank you for voting!
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Meet Store Manager Barry Haynes
By Barry Haynes, Store Manager
Twenty three years ago my wife and I began our quest to relocate our family from the midwest to the west coast. We were looking for a beautiful area with an engaged community that would enable our children to thrive. Equally important, we wanted our new home to have a vibrant natural food store. When we arrived in southern Oregon, we felt as though we hit the jackpot.
Beat the Heat
When the heat of summer takes over, it can be hard on our bodies and moods. Don’t let the scorching temps get you down, cool off with one of these refreshing Staff recommendations.