Denise Rowcroft (she/her)
Garden for Every School Program Manager, The Environmental Center
Education Regional Hub Coordinator
Deschutes, Crook & Jefferson Counties
Our regional hub serves as a place - both virtual and in person - where Central Oregon educators can share ideas, resources and network around garden-based education and supporting school gardens in our high desert climate.
Our Garden Educator Network kicked off in 2016 and brings people together 2-3 times a year in different school garden settings. This is part of our Garden for Every School program, which supports educators, schools and districts with technical assistance, financial support, and direct service connecting students to food and nature in the classroom, cafeteria, and school gardens.
Abigail Blinn (she/her)
Procurement Coordinator
Procurement Hub Lead
Deschutes, Crook & Jefferson Counties
Working in partnership with Rogue Valley Farm to School and Rogue Valley Food System Network, I am in a position to leverage food and farm business, as well as relationships with schools and other institutions to increase local purchasing in the region. I have a background in nutritional science as a Registered Dietitian and have focused much of my work on food access and food systems.
I've worked in community development with a nutrition/health lens since 2018. My passion for contributing to a local food system all community members can be a part of has added energy and capacity towards food access issues in a variety of settings. I've worked with New Hampshire Farm to School program, Oregon Farm to School and School Garden Network on the state-wide level, Willamette Farm and Food Coalition, Adams County Food Policy Council in Pennsylvania, and the Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition, and now can hone in on my skills/interests here in Southern Oregon. Having a strong farm to school program in the state is a huge asset - and one that can help address wicked, complex problems with the current food system!