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About Cottage Grove sentinel. (Cottage Grove, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (June 22, 2016)
8A COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL June 22, 2016 From the Fields Passing it on — Ruby and Amber's helps teach the next generation Exploring Cottage Grove area farms BY JON STINNETT The Cottage Grove Sentinel To market, to market, or, taking the crops to town BY JON STINNETT The Cottage Grove Sentinel E ach Thursday afternoon since the weath- er has warmed, a group of area farmers cleans the life-giving Oregon soil from their boots and their ripe produce, wipes the sweat from several brows and converges upon a small stretch of pavement in downtown Cot- tage Grove. The South Valley Farmers Market happens from 4-6 p.m. each Thursday at the corner of Seventh and Main Streets, and while it’s certainly not the fi rst such market to operate in this community — there’s been a farmers market here for several years, and the current version happens in the same spot as a prede- cessor that occurred about a decade ago — a larger lineup and more produce means that more farmers than ever see the market as a vi- able way to offer their wares directly to the public. It’s a young group, by and large, the next generation that’s dedicated to working the soil, to managing and supporting the operations of small farms tucked into the picturesque hill- sides of the southern Willamette Valley. Some of these farms have operated for years, while some are quite new, but the market represents for each the desire for a more local focus in their business and a concentrated effort to in- teract with the public that their produce helps to nourish and support. And so, the Sentinel offers a new feature series dedicated to exploring and cataloging the life and times of many of the area’s farms and farmers, to showcasing the products and ideas that fi nd their way “From the Fields” to Cottage Grove. At left: Karen Mar- tens and son Ed- die dig potatoes at Ruby and Amber's Organic Oasis. Above right: Martens shows off the 'fruits' of her labor. photos by Jon Stinnett O n a sun-baked late spring day at Ruby and Amber’s Organic Oasis outside Dorena, it’s even hotter under the long hoop houses than it is in the open air. Yet it’s under the hoops that Karen Martens toils with her nearly three-year old son, Eddie, always nearby. Martens turns a trowel full of aromatic black dirt to fi nd the prize — potatoes with skins that gleam golden or showcase a deep brownish red when rinsed clean of soil. Eddie helps out when he can, though he’s more interested in peeling the new spuds than mom might appreciate. The soaring temperatures mean that summer is coming on fast, and these pota- toes must be harvested to make way for hot-weather crops like corn and peppers. This year marks the ninth growing season for Mar- tens, who hired on as a laborer but has expanded her infl uence at Ruby and Amber’s to include the man- agement of some projects there. Along the way, she’s learned many of the methods, techniques and secrets that have been the mainstay of the certifi ed organic and biodynamic operation since owner Walt Bernard began working the ground there with the two draft horses that gave the farm its name. Like many local farms, teaching the methods of sustainable farming to the next generation is a big part of the operations at Ruby and Amber’s. Bernard champions biodynamic farming and the use of hors- es to work his land while keeping outside inputs to a minimum, and he offers workshops that draw those who seek to learn the craft from far and wide. “It’s defi nitely a trend in farming that everybody seems to be including that education piece,” said Martens, who pointed out that Ruby and Amber’s is currently in a “phase of growth” that includes the total redesign and upgrade of many of its systems. She said the outside infl uence of those who journey there to learn those systems helps keep the farm humming. “Things have really grown now that we have new people,” Martens says, brushing aside the obvious pun. Two of those “new people,” Justin and Teagan Moran, call the farm their home in addition to their workplace, and they say they’re quite happy there. The couple came to the area through an internship placement with the Rogue Farm Corps, which of- fers hands-on experience at many commercial farms throughout Oregon. “There are plenty of farms here that need good help, and you can be a part of a business that helps sustain the needs of local people,” said Justin Moran, who came to Oregon from Devon, England, which boasts its own ancient farms. Like many who seek out the skills of farming these days, he said he found himself dissatisfi ed with the routines of living in an- other setting. “Sustainable agriculture is attracting young people because there are plenty of us who had a career, who went to college but became disillusioned or weren’t happy with that,” he said. “Here, we’re doing some- thing positive; we’re growing food that becomes a part of a bigger picture, part of a solution to ecologi- cal and social challenges.” Though he came from an area of farms, Moran said that the practice of farming doesn’t have the same cachet in England that it does here. “There’s tons of farmer worship,” he said. “It’s cool to be a farmer here. There’s a strong image of the family farm in America, and people want to see and support them.” And in an age where families passing down the operations of their farms through generations is no longer a given, the energy and enthusiasm of those who seek the farm life later in their own journeys could be the key to sustaining local farms into the future. “Kids don’t necessarily want to stay on the farms they grew up on anymore,” Martens said. “It’s pro- vided a place for a lot of young people to come and make a real difference.” LCC Continued from page 1A support resource for parents. With regard to the college’s hope for the Cottage Grove facil- ity, Kuhar, LCC’s Interim Dean, said that the college is commit- ted to making the CG campus sustainable and active and is in- terested in fostering community partnerships to make it happen. Herburger shared a number of short-term goals that LCC has identifi ed for Cottage Grove: To explore the viability of a re- cording studio; the college has circulated a survey on whether such a facility would be benefi - cial. The college hopes to offer non-credit training certifi cates to offer more short-term tech- nical training programs includ- ing Heritage, GLOBE (Global Learning and Observations to Benefi t the Environment) and other professional development opportunities. It also seeks to establish a weather center on campus and increase the pres- ence of the Small Business De- velopment Center (SBDC) and customized training here. Herburger stated that the main challenges at the local center were assessing the needs of the local population, fi nding qualifi ed non-credit instructors, marketing and improving the college’s local image and fund- raising. During the election of a com- mittee chair, KNND owner Cam- eron Reiten stepped forward, and Alan Baas volunteered to serve as vice-convener. The committee plans to meet again in mid-July, at which time a subcommittee will present by- laws and a mission statement for the larger group’s approval. oral Certifi cate of Appreciation for its work there, and in 2014 the park was honored with the American Institute of Architects People’s Choice Award. Also in 2014, Andrea was interviewed about the park by the Portland gardening show “Garden Time TV.” For Mull, who works at Ter- ritorial Seed, her efforts in Cot- tage Grove are part of a love of gardening that has only grown since her early years, through 25 years of work in Oregon and California, trainings in the prac- tice of bio-dynamics and studies in environmental science and biology. “It’s pretty much been pres- ent in every facet of my life,” she said. “an opportunity for us to be- come involved in a high-profi le, civic project.” Mull now leads the club’s involvement with the park, or- ganizing volunteers to plant, prune, maintain and mulch its beds. Her work has led to oth- er accolades for the park: In 2011, the club received a May- Valid in 35 Utah - Valid 34 States States Monday, June 27 6pm only Walk-ins Welcome Cottage Grove Lane Community College G ARDENER Continued from page 1A CONCEAL CARRY CARRY CONCEAL PERMIT CLASS CLASS PERMIT Oregon –Utah Oregon – OR/Utah–valid in WA $80 or Oregon only $45 shauncurtain.com ~ ~ shauncurtain@gmail.com FIREARMTrainingNW.com FIREARM TrainingNW@gmail.com 360-921-2071 W orship D irectory DRAIN: Gateway Family Fellowship Church of the Nazarene 337 “C” St. Drain, OR Sunday School 9:30am Worship 10:45am Living Hope Free Lunch Wed. at 12:30pm 541-836-7051 www.drainnaz.org HOPE U.M.C. 131 W “A” St. Drain, OR 541-315-1617 Pastor: Lura Kidner-Miesen Bible Study: 10:45am Potluck Lunch: Noon Worship: 12:45pm COTTAGE GROVE: 6th & Gibbs Church of Christ 195 N. 6th St. • 541-942-3822 Pastor: Aaron Earlywine Youth & Families Pastor: Seth Bailey Services: 9am and 10:30am Christian Education Nursery for pre-k - 3rd Grade www.6thandgibbs.com Calvary Baptist Church 77873 S 6th St • 541-942-4290 Pastor: Riley Hendricks Sunday School: 9:45am Worship: 11:00am The Journey: Sunday 5:00pm Praying Thru Life: Wednesday 6:00pm Calvary Chapel Cottage Grove 1447 Hwy 99 (Village Plaza) 541-942-6842 Pastor: Jeff Smith Two Services on Sun: 9am & 10:45am Youth Group Bible Study Child Care 10:45am Service Only www.cgcalvary.org Church of Christ 420 Monroe St • 541-942-8565 Sunday Service: 10:30am Cottage Grove Bible Church 1200 East Quincy Avenue 541-942-4771 Pastor:Bob Singer Worship 11am Sunday School:9:45am AWANA age 3-8th Grade, Wednesdays Sept-May, 6:30pm www.cgbible.org Cottage Grove Faith Center 33761 Row River Rd. • 541-942-4851 Lead Pastor: Isaac Hovet www.cg4.tv 2 Sunday Services: 9am & 11am Full Childrenʼs Ministry available Covered Bridge Nazarene Church 152 S. M St. 541-942-4422 Pastor: Cindy Slaymaker Sunday School: 9:30am Worship 10:30am Delight Valley Church of Christ 33087 Saginaw Rd. East 541-942-7711 Pastor: Bob Friend Two Services: 9am - Classic in the Chapel 10:30am - Contemporary in the Auditorium First Presbyterian Church 3rd and Adams St • 541-942-4479 Pastor: Karen Hill Worship: 10:00am Sunday School: 10:00am www.cgpresbynews.com Grove Community Church 77820 Mosby Creek Rd. Cottage Grove, OR 97424 541-942-0123 Pastor: Bryan Parsons Worship: 10:30 a.m. Nursery: Infant - Pre-K Kidʼs Church: K to 5th grade Hope Fellowship United Pentecostal Church 100 S. Gateway Blvd. • 541-942-2061 Pastor: Dave Bragg Worship: 11:00am Sunday Bible Study: 7:00pm Wednesday www.hopefellowshipupc.com “FINDING HOPE IN YOUR LIFE” Living Faith Assembly 467 S. 10th St. • 541-942-2612 Pastor Rulon Combs Sunday School All Ages 9am Worship & Childrenʼs Church 10:00 am Sat Evening Service 6:00pm Youth 180 Mondays 5:30-8pm Non-Denominational Church of Christ 1041 Pennoyer Ave * 541-767-0447 Preachers: Tony Martin & Robert Evans Sunday Bible Study:10:00am Sunday Worship:10:50am & 5:30pm www.pennoyeravecoc.com Old Time Gospel Fellowship 103 S. 5th St. • 541-942-4999 Pastor: Jim Edwards Sunday Service: 10:00am Join us in Traditional Christian Worship Our Lady of Perpetual Help and St. Philip Benizi Catholic Churches 1025 N. 19th St. 541-942-3420 / 541-942-4712 Pastor: Roy L. Antunez, S.J. Euch. Liturgies; Sat. 5:30pm Sun. 10:30am St. Philip Benizi, Creswell: 552 Holbrock Lane • 541-895-8686 Sunday: 8:30am St. Andrews Episcopal Church 1301 W. Main • 541-767-9050 Rev. Lawrence Crumb “Church with the fl ags.” Worship: Sunday 10:30am All Welcome Seventh-day Adventist Church 820 South 10th Street 541-942-5213 Pastor: Kevin Miller Bible Study: Saturday, 9:15 am Worship Service: Saturday, 10:40 am Mid-week Service: Wednesday, 1:00 pm Trinity Lutheran Church 6th & Quincy • 541-942-2373 Pastor: James L. Markus Sunday School & Adult Education 9:15am Sundway Worship 10:30 am Comm. Kitchen Free Meal Tue & Thur 5:00pm TLC Groups tlccg.com United Methodist Church 334 Washington • 541-942-3033 Pastor:Lura Kidner-Miesen Worship: 10:30am Comm. Dinner (Adults $5, Kids Free) 2nd & 3rd Monday 5-6:00pm cottagegroveumc.org “VICTORY” Country Church 913 S. 6th Street • 541-942-5913 Pastor: Barbara Dockery Worship Service: 10:00am Message: 11:00am “WE BELIEVE IN MIRACLES” Our Worship Directory is a weekly feature in the newspaper. If your congregation would like to be a part of this directory, please contact the Cottage Grove Sentinel at 541-942-3325.
