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There’s a movement being planted in Douglas County to build a grow-local, buy-local economy, and it’s moving from the grass roots up.
On Wednesday night about 30 people gathered at Umpqua Community Development Corp. in downtown Roseburg to discuss creating a locally based market for homegrown produce and meat. The meeting was an extended discussion on building self-reliant communities, based on a topic introduced by Michael Shuman, author of “The Small-Mart Revolution,” at an October presentation at Umpqua Community College. UCDC is selling the books for $13.
“One of the thoughts I’ve been pondering is how this notion will work in a pretty rural economy and community,” said Mickey Beach, community economic development director at UCDC.
Beach said that since Shuman gave his October presentation, those who are interested in buying homegrown produce at local food stores or restaurants are finding a lot of it is being leaked to stronger markets.
Beach pointed to Thrive in Ashland, dedicated to cultivating a local economy, as a model local farmers and ranchers can follow for getting their products to market. At www.thriveoregon.org, one can find “Eight good reasons to shop at locally owned businesses” and “Why the ‘Local Multiplier Effect’ always counts.”
Thrive has also developed a buyer’s guide featuring local produce growers, farmers, markets and restaurants in the Ashland-Medford area. Another example of a community beginning to sustain itself, Beach pointed out, is Edible Shasta-Butte, www.edibleshastabutte.com, a member of www.ediblecommunities.com.
Those who gathered before dinner on the cold January night fortified themselves with homemade cookies and other treats, talking about the importance of introducing and hooking young people and children on homegrown food.
Of course, there are still barriers to changing people’s way of thinking about where and why they buy their food, many in attendance pointed out.
Jim Leet, owner of Linnea Marie Farms on Cole Road in Umpqua, said he once had a shopper at the Douglas County Farmer’s Market in Roseburg come up to his booth, pick up some snap beans, look at the price, and remark, “I can get this at Sherm’s for that price.”
Well, that’s not the point, Leet said. Buying local supports the community. In addition, the food is often at least a week fresher and is produced — if grown naturally — without pesticides or other chemicals.
Rick Coen, president of the Roseburg City Council, said he remembers local winemakers having trouble creating an organization, and if produce and meat growers want to work together they first have to be friends.
“Having to work with a competitor is difficult, especially after putting in a 12- to 14-hour day,” Coen said.
Suzie Porter, co-owner of Big Lick Farm in Myrtle Creek, said she and her husband started their farm six months ago and thus far have had luck approaching local restaurants and asking if they’d be interested in buying their produce. It’s not that the restaurants don’t want to buy local produce, she said, it’s just that they’ve never been approached before and don’t know where to shop.
A locally based market could change that for restaurants and working people, Beach said.
“In reality we all have limited time to deal with massive amounts of stuff,” he pointed out.
Porter noted her farm is listed as a supplier at www.localharvest.org, where visitors can plug in their zip code and find produce growers. At least 10 other suppliers across Douglas County appear on the Web site when the zip code 97470 is plugged in.
• You can reach reporter Adam Pearson at 957-4213 or by e-mail at apearson@newsreview.info.
On Wednesday night about 30 people gathered at Umpqua Community Development Corp. in downtown Roseburg to discuss creating a locally based market for homegrown produce and meat. The meeting was an extended discussion on building self-reliant communities, based on a topic introduced by Michael Shuman, author of “The Small-Mart Revolution,” at an October presentation at Umpqua Community College. UCDC is selling the books for $13.
“One of the thoughts I’ve been pondering is how this notion will work in a pretty rural economy and community,” said Mickey Beach, community economic development director at UCDC.
Beach said that since Shuman gave his October presentation, those who are interested in buying homegrown produce at local food stores or restaurants are finding a lot of it is being leaked to stronger markets.
Beach pointed to Thrive in Ashland, dedicated to cultivating a local economy, as a model local farmers and ranchers can follow for getting their products to market. At www.thriveoregon.org, one can find “Eight good reasons to shop at locally owned businesses” and “Why the ‘Local Multiplier Effect’ always counts.”
Thrive has also developed a buyer’s guide featuring local produce growers, farmers, markets and restaurants in the Ashland-Medford area. Another example of a community beginning to sustain itself, Beach pointed out, is Edible Shasta-Butte, www.edibleshastabutte.com, a member of www.ediblecommunities.com.
Those who gathered before dinner on the cold January night fortified themselves with homemade cookies and other treats, talking about the importance of introducing and hooking young people and children on homegrown food.
Of course, there are still barriers to changing people’s way of thinking about where and why they buy their food, many in attendance pointed out.
Jim Leet, owner of Linnea Marie Farms on Cole Road in Umpqua, said he once had a shopper at the Douglas County Farmer’s Market in Roseburg come up to his booth, pick up some snap beans, look at the price, and remark, “I can get this at Sherm’s for that price.”
Well, that’s not the point, Leet said. Buying local supports the community. In addition, the food is often at least a week fresher and is produced — if grown naturally — without pesticides or other chemicals.
Rick Coen, president of the Roseburg City Council, said he remembers local winemakers having trouble creating an organization, and if produce and meat growers want to work together they first have to be friends.
“Having to work with a competitor is difficult, especially after putting in a 12- to 14-hour day,” Coen said.
Suzie Porter, co-owner of Big Lick Farm in Myrtle Creek, said she and her husband started their farm six months ago and thus far have had luck approaching local restaurants and asking if they’d be interested in buying their produce. It’s not that the restaurants don’t want to buy local produce, she said, it’s just that they’ve never been approached before and don’t know where to shop.
A locally based market could change that for restaurants and working people, Beach said.
“In reality we all have limited time to deal with massive amounts of stuff,” he pointed out.
Porter noted her farm is listed as a supplier at www.localharvest.org, where visitors can plug in their zip code and find produce growers. At least 10 other suppliers across Douglas County appear on the Web site when the zip code 97470 is plugged in.
• You can reach reporter Adam Pearson at 957-4213 or by e-mail at apearson@newsreview.info.
