The Charbonneau Villager Newspaper 2020_May issue_Villager newspaper | страница 8

8 THE CHARBONNEAU VILLAGER May 2020 NWREC By MIKE BONDI NWREC closed to public, but still working for you The COVID-19 pandemic has cer- tainly affected each and every one of us. The North Willamette Research and Extension Center closed our gates to the public on March 16. We remained closed through April 30. At the time of writing this article, we expect to reopen May 1, but of course, the situation continues to evolve, literally, day by day. Within Gov. Kate Brown’s executive order to stay home, save lives, agriculture is considered an essential service. This includes the work we do at NWREC to support agriculture with CITY LAUNCHES GIFT CARD PURCHASE PROGRAM By CITY OF WILSONVILLE Program supports local restaurants, residents in need The City of Wilsonville’s “One Wil- sonville” Gift Card Purchase Pro- gram is now underway to support residents and local restaurants in need of financial relief in the wake of our research and education pro- grams and help ensure that the prod- ucts of farming — including the food we all need and want — continues to be available in our grocery stores, farmers markets and other distribu- tion locations. Throughout the COV- ID-19 situation, the public’s interest in being able to secure their food has really heightened. And, the interest in locally produced and a safe food supply is even more on everyone’s minds. With nearly 75 ongoing research projects in the ground each year — and, nearly that many in our laborato- ries and greenhouses — we must have faculty and staff here to protect these investments of time, knowledge and the resources already expended to es- tablish our work. Finding solutions to farmers’ problems is what we do. Some of our projects are one-year studies; other long-term research projects at NWREC have been underway for up to 30 years — losing any of this informa- tion would be very difficult to replace. If you’ve noticed a lot fewer cars and trucks and farmers coming and going from NWREC over the past several weeks, that is due to our restricted ac- cess and holding no public meetings or gatherings onsite. Faculty and staff are expected to work remotely as much as possible. However, they are allowed en- try to the research center by request and for only specific work at a given time. We manage this with a weekly schedule of projects needing specific at- tention that can’t wait another week. We have been limiting onsite presence to about five people per day, in addition to our three-person farm staff who are here every day, monitoring water, tem- perature, and electrical systems, plus doing maintenance mowing, spraying, cultivating and other tasks on the farm. Also, our farm staff are completing im- portant infrastructure projects (a new well and a new equipment storage building), so when the faculty and staff do return to a normal work schedule, we will be ready for a very busy spring and summer — hopefully, about the time you are reading this issue of the Villager. We appreciate your interest and support, as always, as our neigh- bors. We hope to be back to normal in time this summer to have plenty to share at a Community Open House, if that becomes possible to plan. Be watching NWREC’s website at extension.oregonstate.edu/nwrec for updated information. Also, check out our most recent Down on the Farm newsletter posted on the website for our latest stories about work at NWREC. Your name can be added to the Down on the Farm mailing list, too. Contact NWREC at 503-678-1264 or Mike Bondi, NWREC director, at mi- [email protected]. the COVID-19 outbreak. This month, city employees are visit- ing local restaurants to purchase $20,000 in gift cards, providing a segment of our local business community with immedi- ate and much-needed support in the wake of the state’s stay-at-home direc- tive that has temporary closed doors and dining rooms, and diminished sales at retail establishments citywide. All gift cards purchased by the city are being routed to community mem- bers with dire need via Wilsonville Community Sharing and the Wilson- ville Police Department. “Our staff and elected officials have been working concurrently on several programs to serve residents and busi- ness operators who are suffering finan- cially,” said City Manager Bryan Cos- grove. “This one is unique in that it serves two groups with immediate need, and anyone in the community can join us in participating and sup- porting the Wilsonville community.” Participating is easy. When you shop or grab take-out, support local businesses! The money you spend here stays here. Show additional support and help businesses now by purchasing gift cards for future use. Donate gift cards to friends, relatives, mentors, students, neighbors, teachers, fellow parishioners, colleagues, health care workers, store clerks or other com- munity members in need of kindness (donations placed in City Hall’s drive- thru utility bill drop will be distributed to Wilsonville Community Sharing). The City is purchasing gift cards in increments of $25 at a wide variety of restaurants throughout Wilsonville. As the campaign rolls on, we’ll show our support for Wilsonville business using the #onewilsonville hashtag at checkout. We encourage community members to do the same. City staff has worked to compile a list of restaurants and other retailers currently operating, noting restau- rants that are offering take-out and/or gift card service. For more information, contact Ahsamon Ante-Marandi, Parks pro- gram coordinator, at 503-570-1530 or [email protected]. WE ARE MORE THAN A CARPET STORE! • Carpet • Tile • Wood Flooring • Blinds • Counter Tops 24403 S Hwy 99E. 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