Meet our June Change for Good Recipient!
Pollinator Project Rogue Valley is a volunteer-led Oregon-registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit concerned about the health of our native pollinators and plant communities. PPRV envisions communities and landscapes working together, supporting diverse ecosystems rich with native plants and thriving native pollinators.
"We inspire, engage, and educate about the ecological importance of native pollinator species and the diverse native plant communities essential for their survival - and ours. We are committed to the creation and restoration of pesticide-free pollinator corridors throughout
Southern Oregon." (PPRV)
Their Values:
Education - We are guided by our passion to teach and engage with the public of all ages. Our work is guided by science to conserve and protect pollinators as well as our local environment.
Gaia Principle - We believe the Earth to be a living system in which both a profound unity and respect for all life is critical, especially as it relates to our local pollination ecology.
Collaboration - We depend on collaborating with the community to carry out our mission and amplify our collective impact.
Commitment - We are a team that is committed to our cause and inspired by a shared devotion to the place we call home.
Integrity - We believe it is vital to be honest and transparent in our organization’s work and with each other.
Respect - We honor and value each person, their experiences, and contributions. This respect extends to the importance of acknowledging the indigenous peoples of North America as well as their culture, stewardship and on-going legacy.
JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion) - We respect and support the diverse ways that humanity expresses itself and invite all races, genders, orientations, and abilities to our table and into our gardens. We feel it is important to stay curious and keep learning and adapting with an open mind and heart.
The work this organization does is simple, the more we know about the pollinators and plants that are native to this area, that are in fact essential components for our Southern Oregon ecosystem, the easier it will be for our human society to make decisions that will benefit us now and into the future. While making these solutions accessible and available to a wide range of community members, PPRV is proud to offer a myriad of programs for all age ranges to get outside and learn!
Programs offered:
Pollinator Pals - Providing children and teens, especially those living on low incomes, with hands-on science and place-based environmental education in schools, at community venues, and PPRV's Children's Learning Garden at Blue Heron Park in Phoenix. OR.
Growing Gardens - Engaging and educating students, interns, and volunteers on how to grow native plants, and creating and maintaining native plant demonstration gardens at our office, the Children's Learning Garden, and local schools. Thousands of native plants are grown in our Nursery each year for sale and donation to school gardens and community organizations.
Habitat Academy - Educating and engaging adults in place-based programs, workshops, and hands-on activities, often in partnership with other organizations and businesses, about native plants, pollinators, and the local ecosystem.
Rogue Buzzway - Mapping pollinator-friendly gardens and landscapes in partnership with Southern Oregon University, inspiring people to get involved with planting gardens while illustrating the increase of pesticide-free pollinator corridors in the region.
PPRV is moving! The organization's HQ has moved next door to their old location. This means more space for meetings and events, offices and windows to improve staff work quality and production, but at a higher cost. A generous sponsor has provided a donation of $10k, contingent on the organization matching that number with donations!
If you would like to learn more or support PPRV, please visit www.pollinatorprojectroguevalley.org
More Co-op News
Report from the General Manager and Board of Directors
By Emile Amarotico, General Manager and Ed Claassen, Board President
Ashland Food Co-op Signs Contract to Purchase Property
The Ashland Food Co-op expects to soon complete the purchase of an undeveloped lot at 120 Clear Creek Drive in Ashland. The parcel is located directly behind Ashland Lumber. This purchase is a major step in the Co-op’s vision for growing its downtown presence.
Staff Picks: Summer Hikes and Trail Snacks
Our staff loves to head outside and enjoy the gorgeous Oregon outdoors. Here's a few of their favorite trails and the Co-op snacks they like to take with them.
Be a Zero Waste Hero in Four Easy Steps
By Stephanie Koerella, Education Coordinator
Reducing our waste has continued to be of greater concern for Rogue Valley residents, especially since January, when options for recycling became even more limited. While the Ashland Food Co-op is ramping up our efforts to reduce waste as a business, there is a lot that our community can do at home to help the cause.
On the Road to Sustainability
By Laura Pfister, Media Coordinator
Forty six years ago, a group of families formed a buying club to access sustainable, local organic food as an alternative to modern industrial agriculture. This humble foundation of social and environmental responsibility started the Ashland Food Co-op and has shaped every decision we’ve ever made. It’s how, over four decades later, that a small buying club became a 30 million dollar, 17,500 square foot Certified Organic Retailer diverting 82% of their discards from the landfill.
Staff Picks: Earth Friendly Products
In celebration of Sustainability Month in April, we asked our Sustainability Committee to share their favorite eco-friendly product.
2018 Kids Summer Camps
We’ve teamed up with Rogue Valley Farm to School to offer three different camps this summer. Each week campers will dive into food production, preparation and exploration, with a mix of farm and kitchen experiences that delight the senses and inspire the soul. Join Rogue Valley Farm to School staff as they cultivate the ability to grow and cook delicious, healthy, seasonal meals. Monday - Wednesday at the Co-op Community Classroom, Thursday & Friday at the Farm at SOU.
Update on our Strategic Initiatives
By Ed Claassen, Board President
Your Board and Management Team invested a significant amount of time in 2014 developing a set of strategic initiatives that we believe are vital in shaping the future of our business and furthering our mission. We formed a Strategic Planning Steering Committee consisting of 3 Board members and 3 Management Team members to guide the implementation of these initiatives.
2018 Electronic Coupon Schedule
To further our sustainability efforts and to serve you better, we began offering Electronic Owner Coupons in January 2017 at the register.
No more forgetting to bring your owner coupons. No more waiting for your newsletter to arrive. Cashiers simply ask if you want to use your owner coupons when you check out.
As we enter our second year of Electronic Coupons we wanted to share a couple of friendly reminders and the 2018 month by month schedule.
Please note:
What Does Democracy Have to Do with Cooperatives?
By Annie Hoy, Marketing Manager
We often refer to cooperatives as “democratic enterprises.” But what does that really mean? The Ashland Food Co-op, like all other co-ops in most economic sectors, is owned and controlled by the people who use its services.
Co+op Basics: High Integrity, Low Price
Looking to stretch your grocery budget? So are we! We've lowered the price on over three hundred items to create a set of high integrity staples for every shopper. Welcome to Co+op Basics.
Co+op Basics includes over 300 pantry and household staples. From beef to milk to cereal, we’ve lowered the margin and price on all those items to make organic, healthy food accessible to every shopper.
Co+op Basics Staff Favorites
After the holidays, we usually find our pocket books a little lighter. Here are a few favorite Co+op Basics items our staff turn to when the money is a little tighter.
Proposals Sought for the 2018 Community Grants
The funding cycle for the 2018 Co-op Community Grants for nonprofit organizations is now open.
Every spring, for more than 20 years, we’ve been donating to area nonprofits through our Community Grant program. We are committed to creating healthy, sustainable communities and this program helps us fulfill that commitment by supporting the amazing work of local nonprofits. The Community Grant program is also the highlight of Cooperative Principle 7, Concern for Community, and is something we take to heart.
From the General Manager’s Desk
By Emile Amarotico
As we commence our lap around the sun in 2018, I wish to recognize the longstanding contributions of an amazing group of professionals. We are blessed with the dedication of eleven department managers expertly coordinating the daily flow of people, products and services that breath life into our Co-op!
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Lynne (35+ years’ tenure) our Grocery Manager oversees keeping the aisles abundant with shelf stable products and coolers full of fresh perishables.