Local Food Connection

The third annual Local Food Connection will be held February 2, 2009 at Lane Community College.   This all-day event brings together farmers and fishers with restaurants, institutions, grocers, and chefs to develop business relationships. 

Workshops will cover such topics as transportation, storage, value-added products, marketing and other information for small- and medium-sized farms.  For more information, or to register online, go to www.cascadepacific.org/lfc.htm.

Space is limited, so register early.

CPRCD Annual Meeting

This year’s Annual Meeting was held October 2nd at Pfeiffer Vineyard.  A sumptuous catered meal was provided by Our Daily Bread. 

Congratulations to the following award winners.

Pacific Rim Regional Association of RC&D Councils Annual Meeting

The Pac Rim Regional Association of RC&D Councils met October 19-22, 2008 at the Lloyd Center DoubleTree Hotel in Portland with representation from the states of Alaska, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, American Samoa and Marianas.   CPRCD sponsored the Banquet Auction, raising twice as much money as the year before.  We presented two success stories: the Local Food Connection, presented by Debra Sohm Lawson, and Oregon Country Trails, presented by Danuta Pfeiffer. 

Following the presentations, Danuta Pfeiffer won the Pac Rim Award for Outstanding Supporting Organization (Oregon Country Trails Association).  She will compete for national recognition with other RC&Ds.   Good luck, Danuta!

Update on Birding Trails

Things are moving along with the Willamette Valley Birding Trail.  The Trail will have its own color guide by summer 2009.   So far:

• Birders went to www.oregonbirdingtrails.org and nominated 130 birding sites along scenic loops throughout the Willamette Valley from the Columbia River to Cottage Grove.
• Volunteers are now acquiring more details about the sites, including directions, access, and amenities to put in the trail guide.
• Travel Oregon awarded CPRCD $10,000 for design and layout of this guide, plus the downloadable web version of the birding trail. 
• Organizations and individuals are sponsoring birding sites along the trail, helping fund a 48-page color guide for the Willamette Valley Birding Trail. The guide will be printed and ready for outdoor recreationists to enjoy next summer. 

Fiscal Agreement & Liability Insurance for Watershed Councils

CPRCD has been working with Liz Redon (CPRCD Board member and coordinator of the North Santiam Watershed Council) and Deb Dyson (nonprofit attorney) to develop a fiscal agreement between CPRCD and watershed councils. The agreement is currently under review by the councils; we hope to finalize it by the end of January.

The fiscal agreement led to discussions about general liability insurance and CPRCD's concern that most watershed councils lack sufficient coverage. After long deliberation and research, Liz, Deb and CPRCD staff have been working with an insurance broker to analyze group insurance options. Our goal is to make available affordable policies that would protect watershed council staff and Board members.

CPRCD Recognized for Outstanding Achievement

The National Association of RC&D Councils has awarded CPRCD its highest designation for achieving national standards of excellence in local communities. Membership in the "Circle of Diamonds" is awarded to RC&Ds that demonstrate outstanding leadership, community development, sound business practices, and a commitment to programs that foster sustainability and improve the quality of life within their areas.

CPRCD Board Retreat

CPRCD’s Board Directors met for the annual Board Retreat on November 13th at Diamond Woods Golf Course.  Kim Leval, past CPRCD President, presented a grant writing workshop leading to an application for a Fund Development & Outreach Manager position for CPRCD.  Board members worked on identifying key responsibilities of the new position and discussed how to develop an outline for the grant proposal and identify potential funders.  Many thanks to Kim Leval for leading the Retreat, and to Liz Doyle and the Diamond Woods staff for hosting the event.

Upcoming Projects

CPRCD always has projects in the planning stages.  If you are interested in participating in or learning more about any of these projects, contact our office at 541-967-5925 Ext 128 or Karen.Strohmeyer@or.usda.gov

• Wetland and riparian restoration along the Willamette River.
• CPRCD will be the service provider for the new Farm Bill “transitioning to organic production.”
• Fund Development/Outreach Manager proposal and submission.
• Writing Our Watershed with Gail Oberst.
• Truffle Feasibility Study results and outreach.

Welcome new Board Members 

James Ramseyer has worked for Consumers Power Inc. in Philomath for the last 11 years.  As Director of Energy Services and Key Accounts, he is responsible for key accounts, economic and community development, business continuity and disaster recovery and renewable energy and conservation. 

Scottie Jones manages three on-farm businesses at Leaping Lamb Farm in Alsea: grass-fed locker lamb, a farm stay that is open year 'round to guests, and U-Latch LLC - a patent-pending livestock gate latch currently distributed throughout the US. She is very interested in rural economic development and conservation issues that face small farms.