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About Applegater. (Jacksonville, OR) 2008-current | View Entire Issue (July 1, 2022)
1 Summer 2022 Applegater Photo by Linda Kappen • applegater.org SUMMER 2022 Volume 15, No. 2 Celebrating Applegate Valley Community Newsmagazine ~28~ Serving Jackson and Josephine Counties — Circulation: 13,000 Years The value of reflection (and planning ahead!) BY SANDY SHAFFER Recently I asked our Applegate Fire Chief McLaughlin to list a few items that he felt were of top importance for our constituents to do before fire season gets here. His top priority item completely surprised me. The chief said that he wished that every property in the Applegate had the reflective numeral address signs that the fire district provides in coordination with the county (Jackson or Josephine). I was stunned—I thought everyone did The address sign at the road shows the order in which the driver comes to each home. Photo: Sandy Shaffer. use these signs. The chief explained that “fancy” address signs are nice (and having one next driveways. These long driveways can have to the house is fine), but in the middle of several homes on them, and many times the night or during a wildfire those signs the homes are not in numerical order! are hard to see, while a reflective sign “Like yours,” he said! That, I got. would be very easy to see. Time is of the We were the second family to purchase essence if the resident is having a heart land on our private road, and we chose attack, when a few minutes could make the parcel at the far end of the driveway the difference between life or death. for more privacy. But the county assigned The chief also said that an issue here in us the second parcel number in sequence the Applegate Valley is that many homes instead of the third number. So over the See REFLECTION, page 17. are off the main roads, up long, shared Williams General Store celebrating its 125th year BY DIANA COOGLE Trivia question: What significant event took place in Williams, Oregon, in 1897? Answer: The Williams General Store first opened its doors. So what significant event will take place in Williams this September? The quasquicentennial—125 th anniversary— celebration at the general store. In July 2016 Heather and Tom Glass became the 21st owners of the store. “There is a rumor there were 47 owners,” Tom says. “But only if there was one big poker game!” Marge and John Chambers, who still live in Williams, owned the store from 1981 to 1998, “the longest o f a l l t h e o w n e r s ,” s a y s t h e i r d a u g h t e r, L a d o n n a , w h o w a s 21 when the family moved from southern California to run the store and who also still lives in Williams, with her daughter and granddaughter. The Chambers added an extended hardware section and a barn for selling feed. They brought in movies, a popular entertainment for the community. For years the most popular aspect of the store was its potbellied stove. “Guys would sit around and drink coffee and See WILLIAMS STORE, page 5. Eleven Applegate Valley farms featured on tour BY JESSICA BULLARD This summer the Rogue Valley Farm Tour will offer the opportunity to visit multiple local farms and ranches, participate in field tours and activities, purchase local produce and products, and learn about the abundance of our local food system. The event will take place from 10 am to 3 pm Sunday, July 17. The tour is divided into three geographic sectors: Rogue Valley North, Central Rogue Valley, and the Applegate Valley. This year, the Applegate Valley has 11 local farms and ranches participating. The tour is self-guided, so you can go to whichever farms you choose and stay for as long as you like during the event. Oshala Farm is a 145-acre, certified organic, family-run farm growing more than 80 varieties of medicinal and culinary herbs. Here you can learn about regenerative agriculture and sample herbal products made from the herbs they grow. Local-centric, organic meals will also be available for purchase. Applegate River Lavender Farm (formerly Lavender Fields Forever) offers you spectacular Applegate Valley on-site natural views while foods store surrounded by includes meats, seven varieties produce, of culinary fermented and aromatic foods, grab- lavender. Here a n d - g o you can enjoy condiments the view and and meals, plus relax under farm-based the big maple CBD products. tree, inside the Salant picturesque F a m i l y barn, or under Elise and Jeff Higley founded Oshala Farm in 2013. R a n c h is a the awnings, It will be open to visitors on July 17 for the working cattle while taking in Rogue Valley Farm Tour. ranch raising the sweet smell homegrown of lavender and enjoying their lavender brownies, grass-finished and grain-finished beef with tours available upon request. Pony rides are lemonade, and ice cream. Siskiyou Seeds is a bioregional seed available for kids under 50 pounds. The English Lavender Farm is a hub that produces open-pollinated and heirloom seeds using organic practices and family-friendly working lavender farm biodynamic methods. This family farm has with U-Pick, wreath-making, gift shop, grown organic seeds, fruits, animals, ideas, essential oils, and lavender ice cream. Rogue Artisan Foods is a small and people since 1997. Whistling Duck Farm is a certified polyculture farm raising goats, pigs, organic vegetable farm and kitchen. The and poultry. There will be a baby-goat Local Postal Customer Nonprofit Org US Postage PAID Permit #125 Medford OR ECRWSSEDDM petting area for kids. The Farm Store offers pastured goat, pork, and chicken along with goat milk, eggs, and goat milk soap. They also have bokashi, a beneficial bacteria for soil and composting, available for sale. TerraSol Organics is a certified- organic microgreen farm. Microgreens are plants no older than two weeks that have been cut just above the root before they have a chance to mature. Tours will include microgreen production and an edible flower field. Herb Pharm uses certified organic, non-GMO farming techniques to grow over 65 herbs on their farm. They use these herbs to create high-quality herbal extracts in a way that supports the health of their customers, environment, and community. Plaisance Ranch raises USDA certified organic, 100 percent grass-fed and -finished free-range beef cattle. They also produce award winning wines, with tastings available in their open-air barn. Goodwin Creek Gardens is an organic nursery specializing in lavender, herbs, See FARM TOUR, page 2
