Support Young Leaders this holiday season

The Leaders for Tomorrow program is funded SOLELY through generous contributions from numerous individuals, organizations and businesses. Many have been sponsors of or contributors to the program for 15 years! We thank you ALL for your ongoing support... it is what has made this program such a great success and a model for other rural communities across Oregon.

As with many things, the economy has had an impact on the LFT budget this year. We have been looking for new, innovative ways for YOU to help us continue making a difference for our young leaders and so far, this is what we have come up with...

Don Nunamaker Realtors’: “A Collection of Recipes” Available at Waucoma Bookstore:

Don Nunamaker Realtors has generously donated a case of these fabulous cookbooks loaded with delicious local recipes for Leaders for Tomorrow to sell as a fundraiser! They make the quintessential Northwest gift and are available at Waucoma Bookstore (212 Oak St., Hood River) for just $20. All proceeds will be used to fund activities for the Leaders for Tomorrow program!

Common Good Thursday, December 3^rd at Small Planet Trading Company:

The community minded women at Small Planet Trading (202 Cascade Ave) are always looking for ways to support a great cause. Each Thursday Small Planet Trading lends its support to a group or good cause by donating a portion of the day’s sales. On Thursday, December 3^rd, they will contribute 25% of their total daily sales to the Leaders for Tomorrow program. What a great way to make a difference... Shop for fair trade items and support local students!

Agriculture in Hood River

We started our day at the MidColumbia Agriculture Research and Extension Center (MCAREC), an Oregon State University research facility focussing on tree fruit. The students got to see the plant pathology lab and learn about gray mold, bullseye mold and other diseases that effect fruit production in the Valley. In addition to plan pathology, we were introduced to horticulture and a new, unnamed variety of pear (called O184) It was DELICIOUS! We learned about different growing methods and the experimentation MCAREC is doing to develop high yields, good size and get the growers the best "bang for their buck".

Our next stop was Good Fortune Farms Alpacas. The folks at Good Fortune Farms are affiliated with a charitable organization, Quechua Benefit, that provide basic dental and medical services for children in a village in Peru. A portion of the proceeds from the farm and the shop (good*ness alpaca boutique) are donated to Quechua Benefit for ongoing work. The organization was able to purchase land and to begin the process of building an orphanage. We were all inspired by the work that they are doing and the difference they are making in the lives of the children of Peru. AND we all loved the baby alpacas (cria). They're so cute and SO soft...

Kiyokawa Orchards was amazing! They grow 75 varieties of apples as well as pears, asian pears, and "kiwi" - not like you buy in the store. These are little, grape-sized, hairless kiwis grown on an arbor... they provided shade and a tasty little treat! Randy Kiyokawa, a third-generation orchardist in Parkdale, took us on a hayride through the orchard where everybody got to pick an apple. We talked about the challenges of farming in a global economy and discovered a lot about direct sales. We ate a wonderful lunch, provided by Subways of the Gorge, and enjoyed our perfect day!

But it wasn't over yet! Our final destination was Apple Valley Country Store where we learned about "value added" products. Apple Valley makes, jams, jellies, pies, milkshakes (and more) with local fruit, some from their own orchard! They ship products all over the world, literally sharing the fruits of the Hood River Valley with a global market. They made a spectacular nectarine cobbler for us... because no day is complete without dessert!?

Thanks to all the businesses that hosted us for our Agriculture day! It was a great experience and we all learned a LOT!

Frequent updates - Coming Soon!

I noticed that the last time I actually added a post to this blog was almost a year ago!? I KNOW! So I am dedicating myself to the proposition that in order to get more eyes on this blog I need to keep it fresh, new and fun to read... and so I endeavor to do my best to make this blog something of which "my kids" can be proud.

I am feeling a little bit of pressure to perform well... as I am asking the students to look at it and comment on it. Maybe you know how it is with a new group of students. You always try to make a good impression - I have much to offer/teach them, I'm not an old lady, I enjoy my work and know what I'm talking about, etc. But, honestly it's not about me -- it's about the kids and connecting them to their community.

And so, we go on to our 15th year of developing young leaders in Hood River County. I see graduates of the program everywhere... and still recognize them (and remember MOST of their names)! They are business owners, orchardists, volunteers, parents (YIKES! do I feel old!), teachers... but they are back in the community in which they grew up... contributing in whatever way they can. That's what keeps me engaged... knowing that this program is making a difference in their lives!