Taylor received two Bachelor of Arts Degrees from the University of Puget Sound; one in International Political Economy and one in Economics.  After attaining his Bachelors Degree, Taylor served with Peace Corps in Zambia where he worked for the Zambian Forestry Department teaching about improved agricultural techniques, natural resources and business management.  While in the Peace Corps, Taylor also maintained a demonstration farm and tree as a means to teach residents about farming.  Taylor hopes to use his RARE experience to further focus his interest and use the experience as a spring board to academic and professional endeavors.  Ultimately, he hopes to be able to live and farm in a rural community in a creative manner with a sense of the big picture and of course in a way that allows him to earn a living.

Placement: City of Tillamook

Population: 4,675

Location: Tillamook

Sponsor:  Food Roots

Supervisor: Shelly Bowe

County: Tillamook

Food Roots: Coast.  Food Systems

Food Roots’ purpose is to serve as a catalyst and advocate for change in the local food system.  Food Roots carries out this purpose by forging strong and fruitful partnerships and by empowering communities and individuals to be more food self-reliant.  Food Roots’ programs include: Community and School Gardens, Outreach and Education, Community Development and Economic Development.   Food Roots’ programs strive to increase local food production and access, increase community assets, support beginning farmers, and strengthen our regional economy.

The RARE participant placed with the Food Roots will conduct a comprehensive inventory of regional food systems and resources in Tillamook.  Specifically, the participant will examine local food self-sufficiency including local retail, livable wage farming, and local farmers markets.  Additionally, the participant will work to form partnerships with the local farming and agricultural community as a means to increase involvement, and to increase the ability to produce and market locally grown products.

More on RARE

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More on Planning, Public Policy and Management at the University of Oregon.

Now accepting applications. Applications must be received by April 26, 2013. Apply Now!

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