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2 CapitalPress.com September 21, 2018 People & Places Making cider the ‘hard’ way Jolie Devoto uses heirloom varieties of apples in her Golden State Ciders Western Innovator By JULIA HOLLISTER For the Capital Press Jolie Devoto has been farming her entire life. “I could say that I started farming before I was born, but I still have a lot to learn,” Devoto said. “My parents have been farming here since 1976.” The Devotos started out growing apples, flowers and micro greens. “While my mom, Susan, learned to farm flowers and micro greens, my dad, Stan, learned to farm the trees that existed on their newly pur- chased property, prompting him to plant more and more over the years,” she said. “Apples existed on the property when my parents purchased it in the mid ’70s,” she said. “My dad fell in love with them and started graft- ing dozens of varieties. We grow over 100 varieties.” Contrary to public opin- ion, apples are not hard to grow, she said. However, or- ganic, dry-farmed apples are. “It’s difficult being an or- ganic apple farmer in west Sonoma County, Calif., as Jolie Devoto Hometown: Sebastopol, Calif. Occupation: Second-gen- eration apple farmer and co-founder of Golden State Cider with her husband, Hunter Wade Years in business: Six Golden State Cider Jolie Devoto, co-founder of Golden State Cider, in Sonoma County, Calif. mildew pressure from coast- al fog is immense,” Devoto said. The family farms 26 acres of apples. “Back when we started the cidery, Sonoma Coun- ty apple farmers could not make a sustainable living on processing apples, and many apples were left to rot on the ground,” she said. “When Hunter (her husband Hunt- er Wade, co-founder of the cidery) and I moved back to my family’s apple farm in 2012, we were sick of seeing centuries-old Gravenstein apple trees being torn down and replaced with vineyards, a higher value crop. We made it our brand mission to ‘Save the Gravenstein’ and raise awareness of the variety by introducing it to a whole new group of people through hard cider.” She said they’re proud to pay the farmers they work with sustainable prices for their apples, all in hopes of keeping biodiversity and more land planted in apples. “Our plan is working and we’re saving more apple land every year,” she said. Their ciders are increas- ingly popular, she said. “We’re trying to not only tell the story of our own ter- roir in Sonoma County, but of apple land across the state in different apple-growing microclimates,” she said. Their “California Farms” series features single apple varietals from farms across the state. All the ciders will be available at their Golden State Cider taproom in Se- bastopol’s Barlow Market District. It’s slated to open next year. “The Devotos have been a force for preserving Sebas- topol’s tradition of heirloom apple farming, putting sus- tainability at the fore,” said Brie Mazurek, communica- tions director of the Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture in San Francisco. “We’ve been honored to work with them at the Ferry Plaza Farmers’ Market for a quarter centu- ry, and excited to see Jolie branching off that family legacy in innovative direc- tions.” “Our ciders are popular, as they’re the real deal, with quality being the forefront of our focus,” Devoto said. Capital Press Established 1928 Board of Directors Mike Forrester Steve Forrester Kathryn Brown Susan Rana Harrison Forrester Mike Omeg Cory Bollinger Jeff Rogers Corporate Officers Heidi Wright Chief Operating Officer Rick Hansen Chief Financial Officer Capital Press Managers Joe Beach ..................Editor & Publisher Elizabeth Yutzie Sell .... Advertising Director Carl Sampson ................Managing Editor Jessica Boone ........ Production Manager Samantha McLaren .... Circulation Manager Entire contents copyright © 2018 EO Media Group dba Capital Press An independent newspaper published every Friday. Capital Press (ISSN 0740-3704) is published weekly by EO Media Group, 1400 Broadway St. NE, Salem OR 97301. Periodicals postage paid at Portland, OR, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Capital Press, P.O. Box 2048 Salem, OR 97308-2048. To Reach Us Circulation ......................... 800-882-6789 Email ........ Circulation@capitalpress.com Main line ........................... 503-364-4431 Fax ................................... 503-370-4383 Advertising Fax ................ 503-364-2692 News Staff Oregon FFA Foundation seeks new director Idaho Carol Ryan Dumas .......... 208-860-3898 Kevin White left position Aug. 31 Cent. Washington Dan Wheat ........................ 509-699-9099 By GEORGE PLAVEN Capital Press Kevin White was 20 years old when he made it his goal to raise $1 million for the National FFA Organization. Mission accomplished. And then some. In seven years as executive director of the Oregon FFA Foundation, White helped raise more than $3 million for state programs, enlisting several dozen corporate sponsors to throw their support behind ag- riculture education. White stepped down from the position Aug. 31 after ac- cepting a new job with De- schutes County Title. Doug Hoffman will serve as interim executive director while the foundation searches for a full- time replacement. The Oregon FFA Founda- tion is the primary funding ve- hicle for Oregon FFA, which lost state funding in 2011. Oregon FFA had received fi- nancial support from the Ore- Capital Press File Kevin White has stepped down as executive director of the Oregon FFA Foundation. gon Department of Education, though budget cuts at the state level prompted FFA to become independently funded, or risk becoming the first state to lose its program. “When we lost that money, the foundation had to step up and figure out how we’re go- ing to support Oregon FFA,” White said. The foundation hired White as its first executive di- rector. White is an FFA alum from Anderson, Calif., who served as national FFA sec- retary in 1992-93. It was then that he decided to put the $1 million target on his bucket list. “I had been able to get a lot out of FFA in terms of my own personal growth,” White said. “FFA teaches a lot about service. It’s something where you feel compelled to give back.” White moved to Oregon in 1995 to attend Western Bap- tist College — now Corban University — in Salem. He then moved to Terrebonne, just north of Bend, where he lives on a small ranch. During White’s tenure, the Oregon FFA Foundation went from raising around $6,000 per year to $600,000 per year. “It changed dramatical- ly,” White said. “Obviously, I think we were able to ex- ceed a lot of expectations.” The FFA Foundation funds a large portion of ba- sically anything that isn’t covered by student dues or registration fees, including staff, programs and the an- nual state convention. The strategy, White said, is in- stead of asking for charity, the foundation asks for busi- ness sponsors to partner with FFA. As a career-oriented organization, he said the al- liance makes sense on both ends. “Don’t underestimate the potential that the agriculture industry is willing to support FFA,” White said. Hoffman, who serves as president of the foundation’s board of directors, said he appreciates White’s work and looks forward to con- tinuing the group’s mission as interim executive director. “We have a great team in place, and we’re well-posi- tioned to continue the im- portant work of funding the programs and activities that benefit thousands of students each year,” Hoffman said. Kirk Maag, presi- dent-elect of the foundation, said they are fortunate to have Hoffman step into the role on a temporary basis. Hoffman was CEO of the Wilco Co-op for more than 20 years before retiring in December 2017. “Doug has decades of leadership and management experience,” Maag said. “It’s important to have someone with Doug’s experience at the helm.” The foundation intends to start reviewing applications Sept. 21, and Maag said they hope to hire someone before the end of the year. “We’re looking for some- body who is a self-starter, and who has a vision of how to best support the Oregon FFA Organization,” he said. For more information, or to suggest candidates, contact Maag at 541-881-9613 or Elin Miller at 415-613-5251. Calendar To submit an event go to the Community Events calendar on the home page of our website at www. capitalpress.com and click on “Sub- mit an Event.” Calendar items can also be mailed to Capital Press, 1400 Broadway St. NE, Salem, OR 97301 or emailed to newsroom@ capitalpress.com. Include “Calen- dar” in the subject line. Through Sunday Sept. 23 Washington State Fair. 110 Ninth Ave. SW, Puyallup, Wash. Website: www.thefair.com/ Saturday, Sept. 22 Goat Education Day — Get Yer Goat. 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. OSU South- ern Oregon Research & Extension Center Auditorium, 569 Hanley Road, Central Point, Ore. A day of education attended by beginner and experienced goat owners. This year, in addition to dairy goats, a beginning class on meat goats will be offered. A taco salad lunch is included with the event fee (both vegetarian and meat options). Read more about Goat Day, the sched- uled classes and the link to online registration:https://extension.ore- gonstate.edu/smallfarms/events. Choose two classes in the morning and two in the afternoon. Optional: choose two classes in the morning and goat cheesemaking in the af- ternoon. Cost: Adults, $35; Youth, $20; Cheesemaking $50 Website: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/ smallfarms Yamhill-Carlton FFA Alumni Benefit Dinner and Auction. 5-9 p.m. Carlton American Legion Hall, 158 East Main St., Carlton, Ore. Social hour and silent auc- tion are at 5 p.m., followed by the dinner and live auction at 7 p.m. All proceeds from this event di- rectly benefit the Yamhill-Carlton FFA Chapter through the funding of scholarships, student leader- ship training, travel to events, and more. For more info, contact David Van De Walle, alumni association president, at 503-434-1810. Email: ycffa.alumni@gmail.com Hood River Hops Fest. Noon- 8 p.m. Columbia Lot, Fifth and Columbia, Hood River, Ore. The Hood River Hops Fest is an annual celebration of beer’s bitter friend, freshly harvested hops. Hood River County is surrounded by world-re- nowned hop-growing regions, and since 2003 brewers have gathered each September in downtown Hood River to share their fresh-hop beer creations. The family-friendly event features more than 50 breweries with more than 60 fresh-hop beers, plus a variety of food vendors, live music, and an awesome collectible mug. Website: http://hoodriver.org/ hops-fest/ Tuesday, Sept. 25 CalCPA Education Foundation’s annual Farmers Tax and Accounting Conference. 8:30 a.m.-5:15 p.m. 2257 W. Shaw Ave., Fresno, Calif. Water rights, the new 20 percent de- duction for pass-through businesses and an update on the status of the new federal farm bill will be among the topics discussed. The day-long conference is also available via web- cast Cost: $325 for members of the California Society of CPAs; $425 for non-members. Website: www.CalC- PA.org/ag Saturday, Sept. 29 Oregon Ag in the Classroom Fall Harvest Dinner and Auction. 5-9 p.m. CH2M Hill Alumni Center, Oregon State University. The silent auction starts at 5 p.m., followed by dinner featuring food produced by Oregon farms and ranches. The oral auction is at 7:45 p.m. All proceeds from the dinner and auction will sup- port the Oregon Ag in the Classroom mission: to help students grow in their knowledge of agriculture, the environment, and natural resources. Registration due by Sept. 14. Web- site: https://oregonaitc.org/events/ fall-harvest-dinner-2/ Free Washington Hemp Info Class. 1-3 p.m. Elk Plain Grange, 21817 Mountain Highway E, Spanaway, Wash. Join the Industri- al Hemp Association of Washington and the Washington State Depart- ment of Agriculture as we present the in’s and out’s of the Washing- ton IHRP program, Farm Act of 2018, basics of growing hemp and current industry statutes. There will be a question-and-answer session and assistance available with ap- plications after the class. Space is limited to 75 people. RSVP for classes at www.ihempawa.com. Cost: Free. Wednesday, Oct. 3 Third Annual Open Farm. 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. UC Kearney Agricul- tural Research and Extension Cen- ter, 9240 S. Riverbend Ave., Parli- er, Calif. Open Farm is a gathering hosted each year by the farming community to connect technology vendors, academics and growers to accelerate the digital transfor- mation of the food and agriculture sector. Registration is free for growers and government employ- ees, $20 for representatives of power and water utilities and $40 for vendors. Website: https://bit. ly/2N4zRBI this is the Columbia River Gorge’s biggest celebration of the region’s incredible fall bounty. Website: http://hoodriver.org/harvest-fest/ Thursday, Oct. 18 Oregon’s Bounty. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oregon State Capitol, 900 Court St. NE, Salem, Ore. This event focuses on the importance of agriculture in the state and brings a little bit of the farm to the front steps of the Capitol. Website: https://bit.ly/2QmtO9m Balancing Profitability and Ac- cess in Local Food Systems. 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. The Riverside Hotel, 2900 W. Chinden Blvd., Boise, Idaho. In a state that comprises big ag, small ag and highly motivated food system stakeholders, how can we bring more locally produced foods into mainstream markets and strengthen the economics of small- to mid-sized farms? This one-day conference will explore, through an economic lens, ways to cultivate a local food economy to create jobs, invigorate small farms and busi- nesses and keep precious dollars in our Idaho communities. Hosted by the University of Idaho Exten- sion, the conference is made pos- sible with a Western Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (WSARE) grant. Cost: $45 Website: https://idahofood2018.eventbrite. com Friday-Sunday Oct. 12-14 Tuesday-Wednesday Oct. 23-24 Wednesday-Thursday Oct. 3-4 Oregon Water Resources Con- gress Golf Tournament and Tech- nical Seminar. Eagle Crest Resort, 1522 Cline Falls Road, Redmond, Ore. The technical seminar will be Oct. 4 and provide district staff, board members and consultants will innovative strategies, tools and solutions to meet water manage- ment challenges. The golf tourna- ment is Oct. 3. Website: www.owrc. org Saturday, Oct. 6 Hood River Valley Harvest Fest. 1-6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat- urday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Hood River Event Site, North of Exit 63 off Interstate 84, Hood River, Ore. Cel- ebrate Hood River’s harvest sea- son. This old-fashioned fall festival brings together more than 120 ven- dors offering local produce and food products, plus arts and crafts, wine, cider and beer tastings. Held along the scenic Hood River waterfront, Nutrient Management Con- ference. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Embassy Suites, 1441 Canyon Del Rey, Sea- side, Calif. The agenda will focus on the latest FREP-funded research results and practical applications of fertilizing materials for agricultural production in the state of Califor- nia. Grower, CCA, and PCA credits will be requested. Website: https:// www.cdfa.ca.gov/Is/ffldrs/frep/ FREPConference.html Boise Brad Carlson .................... 208-914-8264 W. Washington Don Jenkins ...................... 360-722-6975 E Washington Matthew Weaver .............. 509-688-9923 Oregon George Plaven ................. 406-560-1655 Mateusz Perkowski .......... 800-882-6789 Graphic artist Alan Kenaga ..................... 800-882-6789 To Place Classified Ads Ad fax .............................. 503-364-2692 or ...................................... 503-370-4383 Telephone (toll free) .......... 800-882-6789 Online ......www.capitalpress.com/classifieds Subscriptions Mail rates paid in advance Easy Pay U.S. $3.75/month (direct with- drawal from bank or credit card account) 1 year U.S. ...................................$49.99 2 years U.S. .................................$89.99 1 year Canada .................................$275 1 year other countries ......... call for quote 1 year Internet only .......................$49.99 1 year 4-H, FFA students and teachers ....$30 9 months 4-H, FFA students & teachers .....$25 Visa and Mastercard accepted To get information published Mailing address: Capital Press P.O. 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