Meet our June Change for Good Recipient!
Pollinator Project Rogue Valley is a volunteer-led Oregon-registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit concerned about the health of our native pollinators and plant communities. PPRV envisions communities and landscapes working together, supporting diverse ecosystems rich with native plants and thriving native pollinators.
"We inspire, engage, and educate about the ecological importance of native pollinator species and the diverse native plant communities essential for their survival - and ours. We are committed to the creation and restoration of pesticide-free pollinator corridors throughout
Southern Oregon." (PPRV)
Their Values:
Education - We are guided by our passion to teach and engage with the public of all ages. Our work is guided by science to conserve and protect pollinators as well as our local environment.
Gaia Principle - We believe the Earth to be a living system in which both a profound unity and respect for all life is critical, especially as it relates to our local pollination ecology.
Collaboration - We depend on collaborating with the community to carry out our mission and amplify our collective impact.
Commitment - We are a team that is committed to our cause and inspired by a shared devotion to the place we call home.
Integrity - We believe it is vital to be honest and transparent in our organization’s work and with each other.
Respect - We honor and value each person, their experiences, and contributions. This respect extends to the importance of acknowledging the indigenous peoples of North America as well as their culture, stewardship and on-going legacy.
JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion) - We respect and support the diverse ways that humanity expresses itself and invite all races, genders, orientations, and abilities to our table and into our gardens. We feel it is important to stay curious and keep learning and adapting with an open mind and heart.
The work this organization does is simple, the more we know about the pollinators and plants that are native to this area, that are in fact essential components for our Southern Oregon ecosystem, the easier it will be for our human society to make decisions that will benefit us now and into the future. While making these solutions accessible and available to a wide range of community members, PPRV is proud to offer a myriad of programs for all age ranges to get outside and learn!
Programs offered:
Pollinator Pals - Providing children and teens, especially those living on low incomes, with hands-on science and place-based environmental education in schools, at community venues, and PPRV's Children's Learning Garden at Blue Heron Park in Phoenix. OR.
Growing Gardens - Engaging and educating students, interns, and volunteers on how to grow native plants, and creating and maintaining native plant demonstration gardens at our office, the Children's Learning Garden, and local schools. Thousands of native plants are grown in our Nursery each year for sale and donation to school gardens and community organizations.
Habitat Academy - Educating and engaging adults in place-based programs, workshops, and hands-on activities, often in partnership with other organizations and businesses, about native plants, pollinators, and the local ecosystem.
Rogue Buzzway - Mapping pollinator-friendly gardens and landscapes in partnership with Southern Oregon University, inspiring people to get involved with planting gardens while illustrating the increase of pesticide-free pollinator corridors in the region.
PPRV is moving! The organization's HQ has moved next door to their old location. This means more space for meetings and events, offices and windows to improve staff work quality and production, but at a higher cost. A generous sponsor has provided a donation of $10k, contingent on the organization matching that number with donations!
If you would like to learn more or support PPRV, please visit www.pollinatorprojectroguevalley.org
More Co-op News
A statement from the Board of Directors on racial justice
Dear Ashland Food Cooperative Family and Community,
Co-op Owners Step-Up to Support the Ashland Emergency Food Bank!
AFC and AEFB Press Release - Local Strength!
Release Date: 5-26-2020
In April, the Ashland Food Co-op Board of Directors announced to the community that the Co-op would be returning 100% of the 2019 Patronage Dividend to its owners. The 100% Patronage Dividend return to Co-op owners converted to over $628,000.
The Co-op Board felt in this time of great need it was not the right time for the Co-op to put away funds for the future, but rather to support owners fully so they may have more strength to weather these stormy times.
Free Monday Night Lectures - virtual and recorded
Thanks to the many agile and adaptable experts in the Rogue Valley, the much-loved Free Monday Night Lectures live on - even if everything is moving online.
While we miss seeing community members with a joy of learning showing up at the Co-op Classroom, we hope these recordings teach and inspire you.
An update on Strategic Energy Management at the Co-op
By Nina Friedman, Strategic Energy Management intern
Open letter from AFC Board on Coronavirus Policies
The Ashland Food Co-op has played a critical role supporting our community for nearly 50 years by providing healthy food and a safe place to shop. With the recent COVID-19 shutdown, this support has been even more important and has stretched our organization in ways that we could not have anticipated. We have endeavored to address the needs of both our staff and our customers, hopefully in the most cooperative manner.
Owner Voting on 2020 Co-op Board & more
As an owner of the Ashland Food Co-op, you are an important decision-maker in the leadership of the Co-op! A vital part of your ownership is voting for the Board of Directors.
On the ballot: Vote for Board Candidates and Change for Good Organizations
Vote for Board Candidates
This year, four candidates are nominated for three Board positions: each elected Board director will serve a three-year term. The candidates are Ed Claassen, Mark Gibbs, Carolina Livi and Julie O'Dywer.
2020 Annual Meeting for Owners
Mark the evening of May 13 at 5pm on your calendar and join us for the 2020 AFC Annual Meeting. We’ll host the meeting online using Google Hangouts. Please click here to join the meeting, or call in at this number:
+1 617-675-4444
PIN: 719 680 293 2056#
A dozen local favorites to explore this summer
The Co-op has always had a focus on supporting the strong local scene of growers and producers - and in these times, it's even more important. Here is just a small selection of some of our favorites from the area. Help support local businesses next time you stop by the Co-op by picking one of these products.
Unwavering Spirit in a Time of Change
By Emile Amarotico, General Manager
It’s been two months since my last update on our Co-op community, but it could just as well have been two years ago, or from an alternate reality! Needless to say, life at the Co-op has changed, and it hasn’t been easy for employees or shoppers. But despite the challenges, it has been an inspiring and reaffirming time that reminds us why we love the cooperative enterprise.
Staying Sustainable in A Changing World
By Rianna Koppel, Sustainability Coordinator
In the midst of a health crisis, how can we focus on sustainability? Let’s be real - these are tough times!
What does sustainability look like now? I like to refer to the definition of sustainability - meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. How can we meet the needs of the present, while keeping the future in mind?
Democracy and Co-ops
By Annie Hoy, Board Director
This month, AFC Owners will democratically elect a slate of board candidates. These candidates are co-op owners, just like you and me. By holding annual elections, co-ops around the world and close to home are expressing Cooperative Principle 2: Democratic Member Control.
2019 Patronage Dividends are available now
From the Board of Directors:
This year, the Co-op Board of Directors is taking unprecedented action to distribute 100% of the over $628,000 2019 Patronage Dividend to our owners. In this time of great need, there is no holding back. This is not the moment to put away funds for the future, but rather to support our owners fully so that we may all have more strength to weather the storm.
Beans from Scratch
Michelle isn't serving up samples right now, so she's serving up kitchen tips instead! Here's her tried and true approach to cooking dry beans, plus some extra tips for upping your flavor, saving time, and cook other legumes. (Ingredients and modifications are below the video.)
Ingredients
Tips to Stay Safe and Limit Waste
By Mahlea Rasmussen, Education Coordinator
Inspired by Bea Johnson's Zero Waste Home
We are in uncertain times and some of you may be second-guessing some of your zero waste practices and replacing them with safety measures for you and your family. I was proud not to have chemical cleaners in my home and never used plastic gloves - but now those products are being suggested for staying clean and safe. Here are some tips to keep your home safe while working towards more sustainability.
Ashland Food Co-op employees are heroes, worthy of respect and gratitude
Until a crisis like this occurs, few think of Grocers as essential service providers. However, our employees have been here day in and day out, risking their health and the safety of their loved ones, to provide food for our community. This is not a job that can be done from home or from what is now considered a safe social distance. Our employees have worked with the utmost professionalism, care, and concern for shopper well-being.