ORA Spotlight: Jan Marrs
Highlighting the stories of ORA leaders
Jan was recently elected to the ORA Board at the Annual meeting in April. She owns Almosta Farm in Cove, OR, where she lives with her wife and two children. Jan has a passion for food systems and teaching people how to grow their own food and offers a unique perspective on urban/rural life.
When did you first become interested in community organizing? I have worked in various aspects of community organizing and citizen lobbying for over 30 years.
What is your “why”? Why is this work important to you?
I was born and raised in rural Oregon but spent most of my adult life in metropolitan areas in the Northwest, Midwest and Southeastern United States. My family decided to return to a rural community to enjoy our retirement and to raise our children. The disparity in the urban experience versus rural has highlighted the importance of lifting the voices of rural Oregon.
What changes would you like to see in your local community?
I would like to see more collaboration between all impacted parties on the critical issues facing us. There seems to be a significant amount of polarization with a lot of people with strong opinions but not very many people who want to listen to understand the issues and then collaborate to solve them.
What’s something bringing you joy at the moment?
Wow so much joy! My kids and wife bring me great joy as does the work we do on our small farm. We host guests here, both through Airbnb and through Harvest Host and I get great joy introducing guests to all aspects of our farm- milking goats, harvesting their own food, making cheese, harvesting honey. The importance of locally sourced food and food distribution systems is very important to me and every guest who is here gets to learn first hand why we think it is important!
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Oregon Rural Action Teaming Up with Local Community Organizations to Distribute PPE to Farmworkers
Without essential farmworkers every single person in America would have a hard time feeding themselves and their families. During COVID-19 we have seen that Farmworkers are at a greater risk for contracting the virus.
In collaboration with local organizations Raíces, United Farm Workers, Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides and Uprooted & Rising, we distributed hundreds of bags containing masks, hand sanitizer and food to local Hermiston residents. This is a continuation of our work partnering with Oregon Health Authority to support the communities most impacted by COVID-19. Eastern Oregon is still experiencing high rates of the Coronavirus and the Hispanic community is at higher risk as they continue to work as essential workers. To learn more about our work within Spanish speaking communities in eastern Oregon please visit our website or facebook page, or contact our bilingual, Spanish-English, Community Organizer Ana Elisa Wilson at anaelisaw@oregonrural.org.
In addition, if you find yourself trying to figure out how you can help essential farmworkers stay safe- you can support our work! Funding for this work goes directly to PPE and information distributions via paper hand outs and through radio in Spanish and English and Mayan Mam.
La Grande Farmer's Market turns 40 this year!
The market was started in 1980 by a group of community members that wanted a place to buy and sell local produce. There is still one producer at the market that has been there since the beginning, Mia! You may know her by her beatiful Dhalia selection and create your own bouqet style.
A big thank you to Nella Mae's Farm that has highlighted this important anniversary and started a fundraiser for the La Grande Farmers Market. Here is the link:
How to get Involved!
Sign our Petition to Urge The Governor to Deny the Easterday Farms Permit.
Stand Up to Factory Farms Coalition that is urging Kate Brown to deny an operational permit to a large Dairy operation (Easterday Farms) in the Boardman area.
ORA Wants to hear from you!
We are learning how to connect digitally in the time of social distancing. Take control of your activist journey and join us in fighting for rural people and working towards the interests of your community.
Upcoming Events
Accion Rural Hispana weekly radio show on Radio La Ley- Sunday September 6th
COVID-19 Response: Umatilla and Morrow Counties
Over the past couple months, COVID-19 has begun to severely impact the most rural parts of the state, and eastern Oregon has been no exception. As of now, there are two active outbreaks in Umatilla and Morrow counties, both of which are linked to warehouses and factories. Right now, the cases of COVID-19 in Umatilla county are more than 5x the statewide average, and Hispanic people make up 40% of all COVID-19 cases in Oregon, according to the Oregon Health Authority.
Since the formation of our radio show, Acción Rural Hispana in March, we have continued to form relationships with Hispanic and medical leaders throughout the state, and have become a community partner of Oregon Health Authority. Through this partnership, ORA not only continues our weekly radio series, Acción Rural Hispana, but has distributed hundreds of bags filled with face masks, hand sanitizer and COVID-19 related information for the Spanish speaking community in Morrow and Umatilla counties.
This is needed now more than ever as Oregon has exceeded over 20 outbreaks throughout the state. We also know from studies conducted since the beginning of the pandemic, that Hispanics and BIPOC are particularly at risk nationwide.
Here is a graphic from a study conducted in early July 2020 by the New York Times:
And here is a sobering quote from that same article: “Latino and African-American residents of the United States have been three times as likely to become infected as their white neighbors, according to the new data, which provides detailed characteristics of 640,000 infections detected in nearly 1,000 U.S. counties. And Black and Latino people have been nearly twice as likely to die from the virus as white people, the data shows.” You can read the article in full here.
On Friday, July 24th, Morrow and Umatilla team members packed hundreds of bags with PPE, hand sanitizer and informational materials on COVID-19 for distribution across both counties. On August 2nd, in collaboration with Hermiston based organization, Raíces and the Northwest chapter of United Farm Workers, we hosted a drive-thru event where we continued to distribute PPE, sanitizer, informational materials and food to the Hispanic community in Hermiston.
We understand how important it is to be connected to each other and use communal power to support one another, especially now. People are the heart of community organizing and we would love to have you join us. Sign up here for updates or become a member here.
Check out photos from both events below:
7/24: Umatilla & Morrow county team members ready to get to work!
7/24: The team filled hundreds of bags with PPE, hand sanitizer and COVID-19 educational materials.
8/2: ORA board member with our partners from Raíces!
ORA Board Member Jan Marrs: Almosta Farm
ORA board member Jan Marrs was recently featured in an article about the updated Union County Farm Loop! Jan co-owns Almosta Farms with Lori Shields in Cove.
One objective of the owners of Almosta Farm is to help people develop a connection to their food. Marrs said studies indicate the more connected people are to the food they eat the healthier they are.
Click here to read the full article.
Acción Rural Hispana featured on VICE News
José García y Miguel Ramírez de Oregon Rural Action aparecieron en VICE News sobre nuestro trabajo en Hermiston y nuestra misión de mantener a nuestra comunidad de habla hispana segura e informada en medio de COVID-19!
Oregon Rural Action's José Garcia and Miguel Ramirez were recently featured in a story by VICE News about our work in Hermiston and our mission to keep our Spanish speaking community safe and informed in the midst of COVID-19!
Ana Elisa on Familias en Acción's podcast: Alcance Sin Limites
Ana Elisa Wilson, de Hispanic Rural Action, fue invitada en el podcast de Familias en Acción, "Alcance Sin Limites".
Our own Ana Elisa Wilson was a guest on Portland based organization, Familias en Acción’s podcast, Alcance Sin Limites.
“En este episodio de Alcance Sin Limites, Ana Elisa Wilson, Organizadora Comunitaria, Promotora de Salud y Líder comunitaria nos comparte su experiencia trabajando en Rural Action Oregon. Ella nos da ejemplos de cómo la contaminación y el cambio climático impactan las vidas y la salud de las comunidades Latinas en el este de Oregon. Ana Elisa nos inspira a continuar informando, educando y abogar por nuestra comunidad.”
Alcance Sin Límites is a Spanish language podcast that explores how we can break through limits to take an active role in building a healthy, productive future for our families and communities. We listen to and rely on the hope and strength that has inspired Latinos for generations. - Familias en Acción
Acción Rural Hispana News Coverage
Oregon Rural Action and Acción Rural Hispana were recently featured in a story written by Monica Samayoa for OPB on April 9, 2019.
ORA Hispanic leaders in Umatilla and Morrow counties identified the need for more widely available and accessible information about COVID-19 pandemic among Spanish and indigenous-language communities living and working in rural Eastern Oregon. In response, ORA launched a communications strategy including a new weekly radio series called, Accíon Rural Hispana, on the radio show, La Voz Del Pueblo (The Voice of the People ).
Immigrant Farmworkers Face Unique Challenges As Coronavirus Continues To Spread
Listen to the story below:
COVID-19 Closes La Grande Community Garden
It is with a heavy heart that we announce that the La Grande Community Garden will not be opening this year.
Union County’s public health department, Center for Human Development, has advised that we take seriously the importance of Governor Kate Brown's Executive Order, Stay Home, Save Lives. Staying home except for essential trips is especially important in our rural communities where healthcare resources are limited, testing for COVID-19 is very limited, and new daily information from the CDC and OHA sheds more light on how highly contagious the virus is.
Keeping our community safe is our top priority and at this point and moving forward, staying home is the primary way we can contribute to slowing the spread of the virus.
Oregon Rural Action is pivoting and looking for ways to support our gardeners virtually and exploring virtual community organizing activities. We encourage you to keep growing at home and keep an eye out for further communication from our team at ORA.
Acción Rural Hispana Press Release
Oregon Rural Action Steps Up to Provide Critical COVID-19 Updates to Eastern Oregon Immigrant Communities
New weekly radio series seeks to keep local Spanish-speaking communities informed about the pandemic.
Hermiston, Oregon -- Sunday, March 29, 2020, local Latino leaders launched a live radio series called, Acción Rural Hispana, on the weekly radio show, La Voz Del Pueblo (The People’s Voice) broadcast on Radio La Ley 100.1 FM and other stations across rural northeastern Oregon.
The series is designed to disseminate potentially life-saving information about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic to Eastern Oregon’s Spanish-speaking communities.
Hosted by José García, and in collaboration with Ana Elisa Wilson of Oregon Rural Action, La Voz Del Pueblo will weekly feature experts including public health, university, social service, and other community members, sharing vital information for Spanish-speaking residents.
Experts will address a variety of COVID-19 related issues including social distancing policies and practices, the impact on people with chronic health conditions, and assistance available (economic/wages, food, clothing, housing, and others). An open line will be offered for questions and answers. (Call-in number: 1-509-579-0101)
“My Anglo class was empty but the Hispanics all showed up last week as the Governor was announcing the state’s stay in place rules,” said José Garcia of Hermiston, Director of New Horizons Drug and Alcohol Program, the show’s host and a member of Oregon Rural Action.
“Last night, when I went to pick up food at a restaurant, there were families coming in from working in the fields. They didn’t know they couldn’t sit down to eat there,” Garcia said. “People working in the field get their information from the radio while they are working.”
Today’s guest Dr. Ileana María Ponce-González, MD, MPH, CNC, Executive Director of Community Health Worker Coalition for Migrants & Refugees will lead off the series by addressing COVID-19 prevention measures and what to do in case of symptoms.
The weekly show will be broadcast over 4 Latino-owned radio stations from Boardman to Walla Walla, including Radio La Ley 100.1 FM, La Reyna 99.5 FM, La Raza 106.9 FM and Éxitos 104.9 FM. Mobile access to the radio show is available by calling 641-741-1016.
The radio series, Acción Rural Hispana, is a part of a Spanish and indigenous-language communications strategy led by local Latino leaders of Oregon Rural Action to increase public awareness among Latino communities in Umatilla and Morrow counties through radio, television and social media. The communications strategy will incorporate information from federal, state and local public health departments and available Spanish communications resources, including Public Service Announcements recently developed by the National Association of Broadcasters.
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La organización de Oregon Rural Action intensifica su trabajo en proporcionar la información actualizada acerca de la situación crítica de COVID-19 a las comunidades inmigrantes del este de Oregon.
Presentando una nueva nueva serie de radio semanal, que busca mantener informadas a las comunidades locales de habla hispana sobre la pandemia del coronavirus.
La organización de OREGON RURAL ACTION, toma acciones y se intensifica para proporcionar actualizaciones informativas críticas de COVID-19 a las comunidades de inmigrantes del este de Oregon, presentando una nueva serie de radio semanal, donde busca mantener informadas a las comunidades locales de habla hispana sobre la pandemia del coronavirus.
Hermiston, Oregon - El domingo 29 de marzo de 2020, los líderes latinos locales lanzaron una serie de radio en vivo llamada, Acción Rural Hispana, en el programa de radio semanal, La Voz del Pueblo (La Voz de la Ciudad) transmitido en Radio La Ley 100.1 FM y otras estaciones en el noreste rural de Oregon.
La serie está diseñada para difundir información potencialmente sobre recomendaciones de salud que ayudará a controlar la pandemia de COVID-19 en curso a las comunidades de habla hispana del este de Oregon.
Organizado por José García, y en colaboración con Ana Elisa Wilson de Oregon Rural Action, La Voz Del Pueblo presentará semanalmente expertos que incluyen salud pública, universidad, servicio social y otros miembros de la comunidad, compartiendo información vital para los residentes de habla hispana.
Los expertos abordarán una variedad de problemas relacionados con COVID-19, incluidas las políticas y prácticas de distanciamiento social, el impacto en las personas con afecciones crónicas de salud y la asistencia disponible (económica / salarial, alimentos, ropa, vivienda y otros). Se ofrecerá una línea abierta para preguntas y respuestas. (Número de llamada: 1-509-579-0101).
"Mi clase de anglo estaba vacía, pero todos los hispanos se presentaron la semana pasada cuando el gobernador anunciaba las reglas de permanencia en el estado", dijo José García de Hermiston, Director del Programa de Drogas y Alcohol de New Horizons, presentador del programa y miembro de Oregon Rural Action.
“Anoche, cuando fui a recoger comida a un restaurante, había familias que venían de trabajar en los campos. No sabían que no podían sentarse a comer allí ", dijo García. "Las personas que trabajan en el campo obtienen su información de la radio mientras trabajan".
La invitada de hoy, Dra. Ileana Maria Ponce-Gonzalez, MD, MPH, CNC, Directora Ejecutiva de Community Health Worker Coalition for Migrants & Refugees dirigirá la serie abordando las medidas de prevención de COVID-19 y qué hacer en caso de síntomas.
El programa semanal se transmitirá en 4 estaciones de radio de propiedad latina de Boardman a Walla Walla, incluidas Radio La Ley 100.1 FM, La Reyna 99.5 FM, La Raza 106.9 FM y Éxitos 104.9 FM. El acceso móvil al programa de radio está disponible llamando al 641-741-1016.
La serie de radio, Acción Rural Hispana, es parte de una estrategia de comunicación en español e indígena dirigida por los líderes latinos locales de Oregon Rural Action para aumentar la conciencia pública entre las comunidades latinas en los condados de Umatilla y Morrow a través de la radio, la televisión y las redes sociales.
La estrategia de comunicaciones incorporará información de los departamentos de salud pública federales, estatales y locales y los recursos de comunicaciones disponibles en español, incluidos los anuncios de servicio público desarrollados recientemente por la Asociación Nacional de Emisores.
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ORA Online 2020 Elections
The 2020 elections for the ORA Board of Directors will be held online from March 19 - April 13, 2020; paper ballots are available on request.
The Nominating Committee is presenting a slate of 7 candidates including 2 current directors who are seeking another term: Cori Brewster (La Grande) and Devan Noblit (Pendleton). Candidates running for a 2 year first term include: Janet Marrs (Cove); Obdulia “Abby” (Umatilla); Jose Garcia (Hermiston); Miguel Angel Ramirez (Hermiston); Ana Maria Rodriguez (Boardman).
Together with the 2 current ORA Board Directors, Mitch Wolgamott and Norm Cimon whose terms end in 2021, the Nominating Committee believes these candidates will allow ORA to continue to build long-term sustainability through consistent leadership and greater representation from the diverse communities in Eastern Oregon.
If you have questions or would like to request a paper ballot, contact ORA by email at info@oregonrural.org. Paper ballots must be returned to ORA PO Box 1231 and postmarked by Friday, April 13, 2020. Election results will be announced at the Annual Meeting on April 18, 2020.