REV Newsletter
Spring 2024
Vol. 1, No. 3
GRACE NOTE
Local Students, Local Jobs
The past few months were dynamic and energizing for the REV team, marked by conferences, presentations, and gathering diverse groups together to build common ground and generate momentum and energy for shared outcomes.
I was thrilled to see REV’s longest-standing project come to life on stage in April. We hosted a public script reading of the Urban Rural Theater Project, a verbatim play written by Sarah Greenman. This project celebrates the voices of urban and rural residents and explores our sense of belonging and how we perceive geographic and cultural ‘divide’ in Oregon. The characters were delightful and unexpected, and I am eagerly anticipating the final production so it can be taken on the road statewide to encourage meaningful dialogue.
Continuing the theme of urban and rural, the joint Urban Rural Ambassadors Seminar hosted by Eastern Oregon University and Portland State University held their on-site visits on each campus. I was so encouraged by the students’ demonstration of curiosity and willingness to engage with new topics and challenge viewpoints in a constructive, respectful way that builds trust and empathy for a brighter future.
Most recently, I had the pleasure of presenting the Rural Planning Program, currently underway with the City of Joseph, at the Oregon Chapter of the American Planning Association Conference in Baker City and as well as discussing the project with Brenda Bateman, Director of Oregon’s Department of Land Conservation and Development. The excitement for connecting students with experiential learning and growing relevant planning skill sets in rural Oregon from state officials and local planning volunteers was evident and the outpouring of support is invigorating.
As you saw above, REV was featured in a case study by the Chronicle of Higher Education. The topic of "brain drain" from rural to urban is central to our mission at REV and reflects my own journey of leaving my hometown to build my career and finding my way back to the community and landscape I love. On June 11, I will participate in a panel discussion hosted by the Chronicle, and would be honored for you to join. Register here to listen to the discussion.
The REV team extends our heartfelt gratitude to the Ford Family Foundation for their unwavering support and investment in REV, and to Business Oregon for their investment in the Frontier Oregon Regional Innovation Hub.
Thank you for your continued support and engagement. Together, we are making significant strides in building up our rural communities and creating a brighter future.
Grace Donovan
Executive Director
CURRENT PROJECTS
RECENT EVENTS
Recharge Our Community’s Economy
REV, in partnership with Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC), NEOEDD, and Wallowa Resources presented Building Rural Economies (BRE) Workshop 3 on May 17. Sign up for the next workshop. This is a community discussion to create economic opportunities. We want to bring our collective talents together to create applicable plans and pursue catalytic projects. Learn more >
Urban Rural Ambassadors
This month, students from EOU and Portland State University studied Urban Rural differences and similarities of cities and rural areas. This year’s focus was on food systems, exploring community gardens, farmers markets, a farm, a ranch, a food bank, and food manufacturers. Students spent a weekend in Portland and a weekend in the La Grande area, as well as attending online sessions. The URA program works to build a critical framework for understanding the nuances of working across the state’s urban-rural “divide.”
Urban Rural Theater
The Urban Rural Theatre Project had public readings on April 25-27, 2024 in McKenzie Theater at Eastern Oregon University. Five professional actors ranging in age and with diverse acting experience represented numerous characters voicing the experiences of the Oregonians interviewed to develop the verbatim script. Sarah Greenman, the playwright, is incorporating audience reactions and feedback to further develop the script as funding sources are sought to bring the Urban Rural Theatre Project into production and, ultimately, touring the state.
Frontier Oregon Regional Innovation Hub
In February, REV, together with BMCC and R3, submitted an application to Business Oregon for funding to stand up a regional innovation hub in eastern Oregon. Award announcements were made in April. The Frontier Oregon Regional Innovation Hub received $310,000 from Business Oregon to do this work. If you are an entrepreneur interested in growing and scaling your innovative, traded-sector business, please contact Grace to get plugged in!
Rural Planning Projects
Wallowa County Fairgrounds
REV is working with Wallowa County, Devco Engineering and Dr. Shannon Donovan of the Sustainable Communities program at EOU to assemble a plan to capture a long-term vision and plan for the fairgrounds. Currently, feedback is being gathered through the Wallowa County, OR Fairgrounds Community Usage Survey. Learn more >
Get Outside After School Activity Program (GO-ASAP)
This year’s Get Outside After School Activity Program (GO-ASAP) is nearly complete. The La Grande middle school students hiked, mountain biked, rock climbed, participated in watershed monitoring, played disc golf, pickle ball, and volleyball while being led by EOU student mentors. The goal of GO-ASAP, held every spring, is to provide students with an opportunity to get outside, build positive community experiences, and learn physical activity skills they can carry forward as lifestyle choices. Learn more about outcomes of this program.
City of Joseph
On April 22, EOU classes on public policy and administration and sustainable communities, along with REV staff, traveled to the City of Joseph Oregon to learn about the town’s housing and zoning issues. REV interns were among the students on the trip. The interns are working with EOU faculty and Joseph officials as the city creates a Buildable Lands Inventory. The intended outcomes are to provide Joseph with documentation to support long-term needs of the city while also engaging EOU graduate and undergraduate students in policy analysis and code review — work that could lead to an update of the city’s comprehensive plan while providing students with impactful experiential learning. The Joseph effort is funded by the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development and supported by ECONorthwest.
Dividing Paradise
Dr. Jennifer Sherman, Professor of Sociology at Washington State University, visited EOU in February and talked about her recent work exploring inequalities in a rural community in Washington. View it here. The event was sponsored by: EOU’s Anthropology/Sociology program, the EOU Foundation, EOU’s Moonshot for Equity, and REV.
Eastern Oregon Career Expo
The REV staff met with high school and university students, as well as members of communities in the area, at the Eastern Oregon Career Expo April 3. REV was among 90 businesses and organizations at the expo held at Eastern Oregon University.
How Eastern Oregon University uses strategic partnerships to launch rural careers
REV was featured in a case study by the Chronicle of Higher Education, “How a Rural College Works to Prevent ‘Brain Drain.’” The study explores how the university, REV, and numerous people and organizations support rural students. The goal of these organizations is to build thriving rural communities by providing opportunities for graduates to build careers and a promising future in rural spaces. The Chronicle of Higher Education is regarded as the main source of news and information about colleges and universities in the U.S. Learn more >
Workforce Housing
REV hosts regular online talks about housing. The most recent talk, “Housing Every Oregonian” held April 22, was well attended with engaging. REV is working to keep ideas proposed in this talk continuing and growing. View it here. Speakers were Michael Andersen, Director of Cities and Towns with Sightline Institute, and Julia Metz, Catholic Charities’ Community Development and Housing Manager.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Cottonwood Crossing Summer Institute
June 16-21, 2024 - Learn more >
The final stages of planning for this year’s Cottonwood Crossing Summer Institute (CCSI) are happening! This week-long residential field studies program for high school students - held in Cottonwood Canyon State Park - allows participants to learn about archeology, geology, neuroscience, riparian restoration, and writing. Projects are led by EOU faculty, EOU students, and other regional professionals. High school students earn college credits through EOU through attending CCSI.
Cottonwood Canyon Teacher Institute
June 23-26, 2024 - Learn more >
Cottonwood Canyon Teacher Institute will have K-12 teachers engage in hands-on learning in three disciplines – neuroscience, riparian ecology, and storytelling this year. CCTI focuses on technical skills and adaptive projects teachers can employ with students and also encourages collaborative time among colleagues. Attending teachers will receive a stipend and Professional Development Units.
Recharge Our Community’s Economy
June 27, 2024 - Learn more >
Join us for the next Building Rural Economies Workshop on June 27!
REV, in partnership with Rural Community Assistance Corporation, Northeast Oregon Economic Development District, and Wallowa Resources is offering this series of community discussion to create economic opportunities.
OPPORTUNITIES
for EOU students
If you are or know of any EOU students looking for experiential learning opportunities, have them check our Student Internships.
for EOU faculty
EOU faculty members looking for opportunities to collaborate and give students a real-world experience in their chosen field, see the model REV uses and projects we’ve done.
for area community leaders
If you are a community leader seeking support for an initiative or challenge in your community, see how REV works with partners and connect with us to determine if REV is the right partner for you.
About the REV Newsletter
Spring 2024
Volume 1, Number 3
The newsletter of the Rural Engagement & Vitality (REV) Center is an quarterly publication designed to inform its audience about activities of the center. For more information about this newsletter, contact Terri Kaiser, Editor, 1 University Blvd., La Grande, OR 97850.
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