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
Capiche Conversations: Interview with Tracy Kaiser, Marketing & Education Manager of Ashland Food Co-op
Our own marketing manager, Tracy Kaiser, was interviewed by Melissa L. Michaels for Capiche Conversations.
May Day Community Block Party
Photography by Chelsea Whitney Art
On May 1st, several Southern Oregon businesses came together for a block party to provide a space to gather as a community after a rough spell due to the pandemic and fires. The May Day Block Party was hosted on Main St in Phoenix, where the scent of food trucks mingled with artisan goods such as local cheeses, locally farmed flowers, and even fresh-baked pastries.
May Change for Good Recipient: Rogue Valley Farm to School
May's Change for Good Recipient is
Rogue Valley Farm to School educates children about our food system through hands-on farm and garden programs, and by increasing local foods in school meals.
April Change for Good Recipient: Pollinator Project Rogue Valley
April's Change for Good Recipient is
A Visit with Rolling Hills
Visit Rolling Hills Farm and learn more about owner Dave Belzberg, who the Ashland Food Co-op is so honored to partner with for more than thirty five years.
A Visit with Magnolia Farms
Visit Magnolia Farms and learn more about owner Elissa Thau, who the Ashland Food Co-op is so honored to partner with for more than twenty years.
A Visit with Emerald Hills
Visit the Emerald Hills Ranch and learn more about this fourth generation ranching family that the Ashland Food Co-op is so proud to partner with for more than twenty years.
A Conversation with Katie Falkenberg, Photographer and Filmmaker
Katie Falkenberg's photography and filmmaking has taken her all over the world, and lucky for us - she's been calling the Rogue Valley home for a couple years now. Exquisitely and harmoniously capturing the world around her, she is documenting not only through the lens but also through her peaceful and loving spirit. Katie reached out to us in hopes of collaborating after falling in love with the co-op soon after moving here.
March Change for Good Recipient: North Mountain Park Nature Center
March's Change for Good Recipient is
North Mountain Park Nature Center,
a division of Ashland Parks and Recreation, that encompasses demonstration gardens, a nature playground, and approximately 14 acres of Natural Area that is managed for wildlife preservation and public education.
February Change for Good Recipient: Ashland High Arts Advocates
January Change for Good Recipient: Rogue Valley Mentoring
Since 2005, Rogue Valley Mentoring (formerly the Rose Circle Mentoring Network) has trained over 500 adults who have mentored over 2,000 youth in our valley; letting young people know that they are not alone. A caring and compassionate ear shows them that they matter, and they they are experts of their own experience.
Coronavirus Preparedness at the Co-op
Update as of March 15th, 2022: Oregon Health Authority no longer requires face coverings to be worn in all public indoor settings.
Shopping Safely & Efficiently
As coronavirus cases increase in Jackson County, the Co-op is taking extra precautions to protect shoppers and employees.
To ensure social distancing in the store, the number of persons allowed in the store at once has been reduced to 50% capacity. Understandably, this may lead to a short wait outside of the store, but please be assured the line moves quickly.
In order to keep the wait as short as possible, here are a few steps you can take to help out:
10 Ways to Shine Your Light in Dark Times
By Allan Weisbard L.C.S.W.
Since 1963, autumn has been a difficult time for me. Two months shy of my 13th birthday I lost my younger brother to cancer, then shortly afterwards, President Kennedy was assassinated.