At my first board meeting as the Oregon Aglink board president, I felt overwhelmed with honor to be serving in this role while also very humbled by the good work of all those who came before me.
Having worked in the nonprofit arena for many years, I am keenly aware of the hard work and dedication of the many dozens of board members who worked tirelessly to ensure that Oregon Aglink was meeting our mission of educating Oregonians about the source of their food, fiber, and shelter. I’d like to thank all those who have served this organization, either on the board, in a committee, as a volunteer or sponsor for one of our programs or events.
I’d especially like to thank Fred Geschwill for his extended service as board president through one of the most difficult and unprecedented times in modern history. Thank you all.
As the world emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, some things look a little different.
I choose to view the future through a lens of optimism and opportunity. Though school closures impacted our Adopt A Farmer program, our amazing staff adapted. By utilizing online resources to host classroom visits, they identified new ways to reach audiences that distance had previously rendered inaccessible. They found adaptive ways to host events such as the online auction for Denim and Diamonds, which saw an amazing turnout – which also speaks to the commitment and tenacity of our members and supporters. You all “showed up” and proved that no amount of physical distance could prevent us from serving our joint mission – to support Oregon Agricultures. A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of volunteering at Oregon Ag Fest and my heart was filled with joy as I interacted with children and parents, eager to learn about local agricultures, and just so excited to be together again.
Little blessings like these remind me of the impact of ag in our region, and the passion for ag in our community.
Each year the new board president has an opportunity to share their goals and vision for the organization. I believe that this year presents us with an opportunity to prepare for expanding our impact. This board is pursuing strategies to develop sustainable sources of income while still pursuing grant-type funding to allow us to continue strengthening our team while also reaching more Oregonians with our messaging. As SEDCOR’s Economic Development Manager for Yamhill County, folks often ask me about the uncertainties: uncertainties with the supply chain, concern about future economic impacts, and worries of an impending recession. Of course, these are all things we should think about and be watching for, but they are just hurdles to overcome, not roadblocks to long term prosperity.
Oregon Aglink’s extremely capable team and very committed board are charting a clear path forward, and our future looks very bright. Thank you for welcoming me as the incoming Board President. I look forward to an exciting year.
Oregon Agriculture. Everywhere. Everyday.
Abisha Stone
Oregon Aglink President