For Immediate Release:
June 18, 2009 |
Contact: |
Ted Quaday
Communications Director
(831) 426-6606
ted@ofrf.org |
Local and National Organic Leaders Gather
for Benefit Dinner at Mt. Hood Farm
Event raises money for organic farming research and education
HOOD RIVER, Ore. -- Local organic food and farming advocates broke bread with national leaders at Mt. Hood Organic Farms in early June. The dinner reception was held in conjunction with the Organic Summit that took place at Skamania Lodge in Stevenson, Wash. Most of the 150 pioneers and current leaders of the U.S. organic industry attending the Summit joined more than 50 local farmers, advocates and entrepreneurs for the Thursday, June 4 dinner.
The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) cohosted the Summit for the third year with New Hope Natural Media. This was the first such meeting held in the Northwest. The dinner was a benefit for OFRF, with all proceeds going to support the Foundation’s organic research, education and advocacy programs. Whole Foods Market’s Pacific Northwest region, with 15 stores in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia, was the major sponsor and cohost of the dinner, and store team leaders from throughout the region attended the event.
“We were very happy to help OFRF bring together local and national members of the organic community for this special evening,” said John Clougher, Regional President of Whole Foods Market Pacific Northwest. “Holding the dinner on one of the oldest certified organic farms in the beautiful Hood River Valley, with a local menu and views of three Cascade peaks, gave us the chance to highlight some of the special qualities of the Northwest.”
The dinner itself, prepared by Chef Ginger Power of Orchard House Catering, was a celebration of the season and local farms. Along with wild Copper River salmon, the menu featured produce from Zion Farms, Outback Farms, Ground Work Farm and a host of other area producers through the Portland farmers market and Organically Grown Company. Teas came from Seattle’s Choice Organic Tea, beer from Deschutes Brewery and Laurelwood Brewing Company, and wine from nearby Pheasant Valley Vineyard & Winery. Hood River’s Your Party Center even provided a $1,000 discount on the rentals to support OFRF and the event.
“This is a time of great opportunity for those working to advance organic food and farming,” said OFRF Executive Director Bob Scowcroft. “The Northwest community and Whole Foods stores throughout the region rose to the occasion by making generous contributions to this event. We will invest the proceeds in research and education projects benefiting organic family farmers here and across the U.S., and in policy work to advance all of organic agriculture.”
The dinner raised a total of over $50,000 for OFRF’s grantmaking, policy and education programs.
The Foundation has awarded 38 grants totaling $328,000 to organic research and education projects in Oregon and Washington since 1990. Grantees in the region have included farmers and scientists from Tilth Producers, Oregon Tilth, the Organic Seed Alliance, Shorebank Enterprise Cascadia, Adelante Mujeres, Oregon State University and Washington State University. Project results and a full list of OFRF grants are available online at ofrf.org or by contacting OFRF at 831-426-6606.
About the Organic Farming Research Foundation
The Organic Farming Research Foundation was founded in 1990 to foster the improvement and widespread adoption of organic farming systems. OFRF sponsors organic farming research and education projects, disseminates the results to organic farmers and to growers interested in adopting organic production systems, and educates the public and policymakers about organic farming issues. The majority of OFRF’s board members are working organic farmers.
Learn more about OFRF and its work at ofrf.org.
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