I picked up USDA Deputy Undersecretary Ann Wright at the airport today. She’s in the Northwest to help celebrate the official launch of FoodHub. Having out of town guests always gives one the opportunity to get out and about and that’s exactly what we did.
On our way to Eugene for the Local Food Connection conference we stopped at Mahonia Vineyards & Nursery (a FOODHUB member) to visit with Congressman Kurt Schrader and his wife, Oregon State Senator Martha Schrader. Congressman Schrader is a veterinarian and farmer who lives with his Martha on Three Rivers Farm in Canby where at one time they grew and sold organic fruit and vegetables. I had a chance to to show the Congressman and his wife FoodHub. Their response? “Where were you when we had all those organic lamb to sell!?” In other words, they liked it quite a bit.
From Mahonia we traveled on to Pacific Biodiesel. What an impressive operation! These guys will try to make biofuel from just about anything!
Our half day ended with a meal at Marche (a FOODHUB member) shared with Eugene area farmers and FoodHub members (Cattail Creek, Creative Growers and Afton Field Farm). Again, an impressive group of people!
Our thanks to Ann for making the trip. Touring her around the Northwest only serves to remind us how lucky we are.