A co-op owner profile of Samantha, DJ and Maddie MacIntyre, owner 91.

Why did you join the co-op? We joined the co-op because when we moved here from Seattle, we were surprised by the limited access to local products in Silverton even though we are surrounded by farms. Living with a chef, food plays a dominate role in our household and we are passionate about supporting such an important investment in our community.

What is something that you love about Silverton? I love the feeling of coming home from work and driving into Silverton. It seems like it’s own little world. It is obvious that so many others love this town too. I have never been in a friendlier place where so many volunteer their time and energy to civic and community development.

What is your favorite vegetable? My favorite vegetables are French breakfast radishes. My dad grows them and they are an amazing addition to just about anything.

A co-op owner profile of Jeff, Courtney, Ben, and Ole Basile, owner 229

Why did you join the co-op? We know a lot of local farmers and the co-op offers us an opportunity to access them and support them.

What is something that you love about Silverton? We love the melding of the tight knit community, that is both rural and artisan.

What is your favorite vegetable? Ole: Cucumbers. Ben: Carrots. Courtney: Butternut Squash. Jeff: Brussels sprouts.

Photo courtesy of Whitney Ulven Photography

​A co-op owner profile of Brittany and Glenn Beyer, owner 98

Why did you join the co-op? We joined the co-op to support all of the wonderful family farmers in the area who grow such delicious food and all of the amazing people who are working tirelessly to make this vision become a reality for this community!

What is something that you love about Silverton? We absolutely LOVE this tight-knit community of loving and caring people. As a family of five new to the area, we were welcomed with open arms.

What is your favorite vegetable? Glenn: Green beans. Brittany: Broccoli.

Photo courtesy of Whitney Ulven Photography

A co-op owner profile of Dana Smith & Victor Madge, owner 32

​Dana

Why did you join the co-op? I LOVE the farmer’s market in the summer and want that access more than just one morning a week. The thought of Silver Falls bread, Fisher bacon and Gardenripe heirloom tomatoes and lettuce all together on one beautiful BLT makes me salivate uncontrollably. It also seems pretty special that I’m on a first name basis with the producers.

As an engineer and an elected official, I am acutely aware of the fragility of our built environment. When the Cascadia Subduction Zone slips, our transportation and communication networks will be devastated. There will be higher priority locations for restoration of services. Having established local food suppliers makes our community more resilient.

What is something that you love about Silverton? My favorite thing about Silverton is the sense of community. It was evident from my first encounter almost 20 years ago and has only gotten stronger.

What is your favorite vegetable? I don’t really have a favorite vegetable. I love tomatoes in the summer, Brussel sprouts in the fall, beets in the winter, and greens in the spring.

Victor

Why did you join the co-op? I feel the need to become a better global citizen and to reduce the carbon footprint I leave in my wake each day. Keeping my purchases local whenever possible helps to reduce, in an incremental way, the amount of fuel spent transporting food and produce from literally around the world to the supermarket.

I believe that if this movement were to go worldwide, we could wrest control over at least a portion of our purchasing from big corporate interests, who only have interest in their bottom line.

I believe there is a revolution happening—an evolution—to a local market economy. More and more people are opening their eyes to the reality that our planet has limited resources and that we need to use them wisely. This consciousness is growing, and I am very proud to be a part of it.

Photo courtesy of Whitney Ulven Photography

A co-op owner profile of Heather Fast, owner of Stamen & Pistil, owner 132

Why did you join the co-op? I want to shop local every day of the week with ease, and support our local growers. This has been a dream of mine for years. Healthy local food is the key to a healthy and long life, in my opinion.

What is something that you love about Silverton? I adore that our town is full of of people that truly care about our community. Be it farmer or suburbanite, they all care about this place that I like to call Whoville and home.

What is your favorite vegetable?  I don’t know that I can pick one vegetable to love on more than another, but I’m very fond of carrots, snow peas, and fresh cucumbers.

Photo courtesy of Whitney Ulven Photography

A co-op owner profile of Shayla Lynn, owner 9

Why did you join the co-op? I joined the co-op because the easier it is for people to access fresh, local food, the better.

What is something that you love about Silverton? I love how the community takes pride in Silverton. Silverton also really cares about keeping it’s downtown alive.

What is your favorite vegetable? My favorite vegetable is carrots.

A co-op owner profile of Sarah Desantis & Matt Plummer, owner 209

Why did you join the co-op? We’re trying to build a better connection with the food we eat for ourselves and our 1-year-old son. We value knowing where our food comes from and supporting local farmers who are working hard to provide clean, healthy food for our community.

What is something that you love about Silverton? We love being able to walk or ride our bikes to visit family and friends, go to the store or just wander.

What is your favorite vegetable? Red, yellow, and orange peppers (Matt), and anything green (Sarah).

Photo credit: Whitney Ulven Photography

A co-op owner profile of Matt & Julia Knudsen, owner 81

Matt and Julia Knudsen started WileyJo Farms in 2013 with a purpose of growing nutritious food, making delicious cider, and experiencing the joy of living off the land. They enjoy being part of the wonderful farming community in Silverton and teaching their children an appreciation for the food that they grow and receive from other local farmers.

Why did you join the co-op? We want to invest in the community that we call home and support an opportunity to connect people to the farms that grown food. It’s important for us to know where our food comes from. We want our children to grow up knowing their farmers and understanding the patterns of the seasons.

What is something that you love about Silverton? The passion and spirit that the people of Silverton have for the community is inspiring. We continue to meet new people that makes us feel fortunate to live in this area and raise our children in a welcoming environment.

What is your favorite vegetable? Carrots (Lilian, 7 years), artichokes (Mirren, 5 years), leeks (Matt), and green beans (Julia).

Photo credit: Whitney Ulven Photography

A co-op owner profile of Josiah & Kalia Miller, owner 179

Josiah and Kalia are home-grown Silvertonians who are committed to their community because there is not a place they would rather live. They enjoy hiking, biking, home-brewing, and vegetables

Why did you join the co-op? We love good food. The co-op combines our passion for community involvement and healthy living. It gives us the opportunity to put our money where our mouth is.

What’s something you love about Silverton? We love how people reach out to each other.

What’s your favorite vegetable? Brussels sprouts (Kalia) and carrots (Josiah).