Tag: Roseburg

Stories from the Field: A RARE AmeriCorps Perspective

Posted on by Julia Havens

Gabby Pauling Potluck NeighborWorks Umpqua RARE Resource Assistance for Rural EnvironmentsTaste and Tell

How do you involve the community in discussing the local food system? Host a potluck, of course! Every foodie loves a premium potluck, especially when it involves freshly homemade pies, breads, stews, sauerkrauts and salads. And if there’s anybody I’m working with in Douglas County, it’s a multitude of foodies, folks impassioned by and dedicated to not just food, but good food. Douglas County currently has a relatively large support group of individuals interested in and working towards developing a resilient and stable local food system; yet after several weeks at my host site in Roseburg, it became clear that these local food supporters rarely met on their own accord and communication and networking between groups was almost non-existent.

So, my first goal was to gather as many farmers, food producers, market vendors, food educators, and rural grocers together to discuss the state of our local food system. Naturally, the gathering took the form of a potluck. And what a success it was! We had a full house of community members enjoying a smorgasbord of food completely grown and harvested in Douglas County. Simply witnessing the result of numerous food growers congregated together for a locally sourced meal naturally sparked conversations, not to mention it was a terrific way for me to introduce myself and my role in the community.

Finally, after gorging on scrumptious and delectable cuisine, it was time to start networking. I was so amazed by the passion in that room! There were innumerable individuals not only in support of developing Douglas County’s local food system, but also actively taking steps toward this goal, either on an individual level or a larger commercial scale. I’m not afraid to say that I was proud to be facilitating such an inspirational and motivational group of folks, and loads of solutions and ideas were brainstormed during that initial gathering.

It just goes to show, even small rural communities can experience the same drive and enthusiasm to accomplish tasks as what is often only seen in larger cities. I can only look forward to a myriad of future community meetings, attended by more and more spirited folks to help make a difference for our local food system.

 

Gabby Pauling RARE AmeriCorps Resource Assistance for Rural EnvironmentsAbout the Author: Gabby Pauling received a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and Sustainable Design from Pacific University. As a student, Gabby became increasingly interested in sustainability and food security and became very involved with Pacific University’s permaculture garden. Gabby spent a year as an AmeriCorps Vista at the Phoenix Charter School in Roseburg and is now serving as a RARE AmeriCorps Program – Resource Assistance for Rural Environments participant with NeighborWorks Umpqua, where she is implementing a recently completed comprehensive inventory of regional food systems and resources in Douglas County.  and also working with local organizations and groups to increase the ability to produce and market locally grown products.  

Stories from the Field: A RARE AmeriCorps Perspective

Posted on by Julia Havens

Never underestimate the power of passion

On June 7, 2013, entrepreneurs from across the state converged upon Portland for the 2013 Oregon Entrepreneur Summit sponsored by the Oregon Entrepreneur Network (OEN). Walking in, you can almost feel the concentrated excitement reverberating through the glass walls. That’s not an unusual feeling at start-up related events! You know you are surrounded by entrepreneurs when each direction you turn, you hear how someone is “pivoting” their business model, “disrupting” an industry, cultivating “lean” processes, demonstrating their “MVP” (minimal viable product), or asserting that their service or product is a “game changer.” At this OEN conference and tradeshow, I was representing the Umpqua Business Center, my RARE AmeriCorps Program – Resource Assistance for Rural Environments  placement organization – a new small business incubator in Roseburg, Oregon.

The fifteen speakers from multiple industries shared their pivotal lessons, experiences, and struggles as company founders and entrepreneurs. Ken Barker, CEO of CRAiLAR Technologies, discussed his successes and struggles moving forward a sustainable, natural fiber that is revolutionizing the textile industry. Lisa Sedladr, the former New Seasons CEO, created a unique niche by blending the concept of a health food store and convenience market to offer fresh, healthy food in an accessible way through her business, Green Zebra Grocery. Mark Frohnmayer, founder of Arcimoto, turned his entrepreneurial energy towards creating a more sustainable system of transportation with his company’s development of a quality, affordable electric vehicle. Each of these entrepreneurs found their unique passion, whether it’s local food or sustainability, and created a new company.

The backbone of the American economy is built upon small businesses and micro-enterprises (firms with 1-4 employees) which now make up 88% of the country’s businesses. Karen Mills, Former SBA Administrator, said that, “there are more than 28 million small businesses in the United States, and those firms create two out of every three net new jobs and employ half of America’s workforce.” We forget that even in small communities, there are pockets of entrepreneurs. The quantity may be smaller but the same level of passion and persistence is there.

Oregon has a bubbling culture of entrepreneurship and innovation…maybe “frothing” with the number of start-ups opening in the craft beer, coffee, and wine industries. While many consider cities the hub of new business, there are quite a few start-ups beginning or expanding in rural areas. Entrepreneurs can be anyone. They can be home cooks starting to sell artisan finishing salts at a local farmers market, a young farmer planting Camelina in between their primary crop seasons, or a family that owns a small-scale barbecue restaurant and wants to expand to new locations and offer signature bottled sauces.

That’s the exciting thing about entrepreneurship: great ideas can come from anyone. With a pinch of capital investment, smidgen of business acumen, and importantly – a dash of dedication, anyone has the opportunity to be an entrepreneur. This OEN Summit was an exciting opportunity to be immersed in the start-up culture and be reminded that regardless of whether you are from an urban or rural area:  never underestimate the power of passion.

OEN’s 2014 Entrepreneurial Summit – The Entrepreneurial’s Journey
Stay tuned at http://www.oen.org/events/oens-entrepreneurial-summit


Alexa Carey, Regional Program Associate for Rural Development Initiatives, 2012-2013 RARE Resource Assistance for Rural Environments, Business Development Specialist, Umpqua Business Center, Roseburg OregonAbout the Author: Alexa Carey is a Regional Program Associate for Rural Development Initiatives where she trains rural community leaders and facilitates economic development programs across the state. During her 2012-2013 RARE AmeriCorps Program year, she served as the Business Development Specialist at the Umpqua Business Center. She is a Startup Weekend facilitator, social media strategies speaker, and rural community enthusiast.