Tag: South Coast Development Council

Stories from the Field: A RARE AmeriCorps Perspective

Tim Timothy Smith RARE Resource Assistance for Rural EnvironmentsBefore the RARE AmeriCorps Program. . .

I served in the Peace Corps and got excellent experience in self-growth as well as hands-on experience in serving others in need. However, for a long time, I was always blind to the needs of American cities and towns. I always assumed that the greatest needs were elsewhere such as developing nations.

The RARE AmeriCorps Program – Resource Assistance for Rural Environments has pulled off my blinders and shown me that there is need everywhere and that it typically looks the same no matter what kind of nation it exists in. Rural Oregon, and especially my community on the South Coast, is struggling. Industries which once built these communities are slowly falling apart, causing their cities to follow suit. I never would have experienced the need of America had I not joined the RARE program, and though my work is reflective of the work I did in Zambia, I feel a little more pride and accomplishment because I’m doing something for my own country.

Tim Smith South Coast Development Council RARE Resource Assistance for Rural EnvironmentsAbout the Author:  Timothy ‘Tim’ Smth received his Bachelor of Arts in Journalism with a Minor in Photography from Doane College.  Tim served with Peace Corps in Zambia where he worked as an Agroforesty Extension Agent on an array of rural community development projects.  Tim  sees the RARE AmeriCorps Program as a stepping stone that will allow him to return to his home state of Nebraska with the purpose of increasing sustainability at the local and state levels.  Timothy is serving with the South Coast Development Council, where he is conducting a comprehensive inventory of regional food systems and resources in Coos County and working 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.  

Meet RARE AmeriCorps Participant: Timothy Smith

Timothy Smith RARE Participant Resource Assistance for Rural Environments Coos Bay, Oregon

Timothy received his Bachelor of Arts in Journalism with a Minor in Photography from Doane College. After attaining his Bachelors Degree, Timothy served with Peace Corps in Zambia where he worked as an Agroforesty Extension Agent on an array of rural community development projects. Via RARE, Timothy hopes to gain experience working in the local food arena. Ultimately, he sees the RARE Program as a stepping stone that will allow him to return to his home state of Nebraska with the purpose of increasing sustainability at the local and state levels. Following Timothy’s year with the RARE AmeriCorps  Program – Resource Assistance for Rural Environments, he plans to attend graduate school in sustainability.

Timothy is placed with the South Coast Development Council (SCDC) in Coos Bay, Oregon. SCDC’s mission is to promote and support businesses that provide quality jobs through responsible development on Oregon’s south coast. The 501(c)3 organization was incorporated in 2000. It has a Board of Directors of approximately 20 members, representing county and community government, private industry and economic development partners from Business Oregon, the Southwest Regional Airport, the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce and more.

Timothy’s workplan includes conducting a comprehensive inventory of regional food systems and resources in Coos County. He will examine local food self-sufficiency including local retail, livable wage farming, and local farmers markets. Additionally, Timothy 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. 

Organization: South Coast Development Council
Community: Coos Bay
Population: 15,967
County: Coos