Plans are underway for the 2010 season of the Bethel-Danebo Neighborhood Market located  at the Petersen Barn, corner of Royal and Bertnzen Road in Eugene, Oregon.

The 2009 season saw some very good and some not-so-good days for vendors. Promotion and good outreach is critical for the success of the next Market. However, there is a strong sentiment among organizers that fresh food be more readily available at reasonable prices for Bethel residents. So instead of a primarily Farmers’ Market, it might more accurately be called a Bethel-Danebo Neighborhood Market.

Organizers feel that the population and make-up of the area would only be able to support 2 Markets per month for the neighborhood. More frequently than that might not be profitable or realistic for vendors or support staff. To that end, the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month, beginning June 16th and continuing through October 20th, will be the official days for the Bethel-Danebo Market. Hours of operation will be from 2 PM until 7 PM to allow for those folks coming home from work to stop by the Market.

The fees for a table for produce or merchandise is only $10. ECOS, one of the organizing groups also offers a consignment table that charges 20% commission on produce or products sold. This gives backyard gardeners with excess produce a chance share their crops. Also small crafters and artists are encouraged to bring their handiwork to sell.

Another unique feature of the Bethel-Danebo Market, still in the planning stages, will be a meal offered towards the end of some scheduled market days. The idea is to give community members the opportunity to come together to share a meal at no cost in a relaxed and casual atmosphere. The meal would be simple, such as casserole or soup, salad and bread. All would be welcome join.

There is tremendous potential for growth around important and critical food security issues at the Petersen Barn location. Bethel is coming together to address and plan for these concerns. We hope you will come by to see our new and growing Market in the hinterlands of Eugene.

 In the Bethel-Danebo neighborhood there is a vast resource of mature fruit trees in residents’ yards. These established trees are mostly in the areas of older development when small home food production, including gardens, fruit, nut trees and vine fruits, was more common. Many of these established trees are in need of care and tending. However, owners or tenants of such property with this resource may not have the skills or knowledge to take proper care of the tree or harvest and process the crop.

 What to do about this great, and usually, abundant resource in our midst?

Through collaboration between Bethel School District, Active Bethel Citizens Neighborhood Association, ECOS (Environmental Center of Sustainability) and CAST (Communities and Schools Together) a matching grant is being designed to ‘harvest’ this neighborhood resource.

 Using local school bulletins, Eugene Weekly, Register Guard, church newsletters and Internet list serve resources a solicitation will go out requesting those interested in participating in a fruit gleaning and care-taking project in May of 2009. An on-line registration and interactive web site, currently in development, would help track volunteers and trees.

 After identifying the trees available for tending, volunteers would work on assessing the trees variety and health first. Pruning and fertilizing may be needed, but that usually happens in the fall and winter. Light, production related pruning can be done to increase fruit and help with disease. All methods used will be organic and non-chemical. Tools, equipment and training would be provided for volunteers.

 Upon harvest, the crops would be gathered by volunteers and taken to sites for processing. This could include freezing, drying, juicing and canning. Measurement of the results would be tallied and made available on an interactive website. This bounty would then be available to participants in the program as well as distributed to Bethel schools, neighborhood  projects needing food and local food pantries. A Bethel area celebration and event would be part of the end of the season distribution. A highlight of this event would be on-site apple juicing. This could generate some much needed community pride…as well as general fun and frivolity!

 There are many aspects of this proposal that could develop into more food related projects and activities in the Bethel-Danebo area. Although focusing on a seemingly small section of neighborhood food production this project could potentially generate important information about the area’s arable resources. Networks of support and a unique and vital sense of community could result through implementation—besides a whole bunch of delicious and nutritious locally grown fruit.

 To get involved with this project please e-mail us at:

treebytree@att.net

Or call us at (541) 688-5850 or (541) 543-9103

ECOS realizes providing access to local sustainably produced fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains is an important aspect in developing regional food security and vibrant healthy communities. Developing the skills and knowledge needed to grow quantities of food for ourselves is also vital. Continue reading “Urban to Farm Connection Project”

Having access to funding for technology and infrastructure development is key in creating and supporting community building and economic vitality. One of the pivotal supports needed for this kind of development is a credit union and micro-lending source. Additionally, a truly integrated and backed local currency would also be a useful local resource. Continue reading “Credit union, micro lending and local currency”

There are many people in our region who have important information that needs to be published and made available to those interested in sustainability, community building and alternative economic models. Having the means to compile, edit, layout and produce a publication or documentary is beyond many artists’ ability. Additionally, marketing and distributing a published work needs support. Continue reading “Media, publishing and website”