Girl Scouts, Tillamook County Creamery Association andOregon Dairy and Nutrition Council Debut New Dairy Education Program
Oregon Dairy Patch Program Educates about STEM Concepts, Farms and Food Production;
200 Girl Scouts Will Gather at Tillamook Creamery for Program Launch on October 20
PORTLAND, OR. – October 18, 2018 – Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington (GSOSW), in partnership with the Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA) and Oregon Dairy and Nutrition Council (ODNC), today announced a new program designed to educate girls about STEM concepts, farms and food production through a look at the Oregon dairy industry. Dairy is Oregon’s fifth most valuable commodity and milk is the official beverage of Oregon.
Through five hands-on steps, the Oregon Dairy Patch program encourages girls to learn by doing as they visit a dairy farm, discover how milk is transformed into dairy products, explore dairy nutrition, and learn about careers in the industry, ranging from dairy farmer to food scientist to food marketer. The program finishes off with a taste test.
“The Oregon Dairy Patch program is a great opportunity for girls to discover the local food chain. It encourages them to be curious about where their food comes from, and what it takes to get it from the farm to the factory to their table,” said Lisa Gilham-Luginbill, Program Manager for Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington. “We hope they’ll learn something new along the way, and perhaps discover an interest or future career in the process.”
About 30 percent of farmers in the U.S. are women. Of the estimated 969,672 female farmers, about a third of them are the “principal operators,” which means they are the person primarily responsible for running the farm day-to-day. Many women are leading the way for dairy and agriculture in Oregon including producers, processors, board members and even the director of the Oregon Department of Agriculture, Alexis Taylor. The Oregon Dairy Women celebrate their 60th anniversary in 2019, with many members dedicating decades of advocacy and service to the organization.
“The development of the Oregon Dairy Patch program is truly a story of successful partnership,” said Sarah Beaubien, Senior Director of Stewardship at TCCA. “Sparked by the leadership of local Seaside Girl Scout troop leader Ashley Houston and her desire to expand the education of her girls, this partnership has since become a collaborative effort between multiple stakeholder groups. At TCCA, it aligns with our Enriched Communities commitment to support agricultural advocacy, food security, and healthful children.”
“Like milk and cookies, working with Girl Scouts to build understanding about dairy is a perfect pairing,” said Josh Thomas, Senior Director of Communications for the Oregon Dairy and Nutrition Council. “Less than two percent of Americans have a connection to agriculture, so we’re bridging a gap with the youth of today who will be the leaders of tomorrow.”
200 Girl Scouts to Celebrate Inaugural Oregon Dairy Day at Tillamook Creamery October 20
The new program will be debuted at an event on October 20, 2018, held at TCCA’s new visitor experience, the Tillamook Creamery, in Tillamook, Oregon. 200 Girl Scout members will complete patch program steps as they visit an in-depth farm exhibit, meet dairy professionals and learn about dairy nutrition and the dairy industry from start to finish. The event is open only to Girl Scout members who have previously registered and members of the media.
“We are honored to host the Girl Scouts Oregon Dairy Day at our new Tillamook Creamery,” said Beaubien. “By providing the Girl Scouts a hands-on, interactive experience with dairy professionals??-who may not have the opportunity otherwise—we hope that they leave more knowledgeable about, and interested in, an industry so important to Oregon. And of course, enjoy squeaky cheese curds in the process.”
Saturday, October 20, 2018
Tillamook Creamery
4165 Highway 101 North
Tillamook, Oregon 97141
10 a.m. - Noon
About Girl Scout Programming
Every opportunity in Girl Scouting is designed to encourage girls to Discover (find out who she is, what she cares about and what her talents are), Connect (collaborate with other people, both locally and globally, to learn from others and expand her horizons), and Take Action (do something to make the world a better place). With supportive adult mentors by their aide, activities are led by girls themselves, feature cooperative learning, and highlight learning by doing. Girls come up with their own ideas, build teams, and experience the joy of making a positive impact.
About Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington
In partnership with more than 8,000 adult members, Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington prepares 14,500 girls in grades K-12 for a lifetime of leadership, adventure and success. GSOSW’s programs in STEM, the outdoors, entrepreneurship and civic engagement serve girls in 37 counties in Oregon, and in Clark and Skamania counties in Washington. The Girl Scout mission is to build girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. For more information, please visit girlscoutsosw.org.
About the Tillamook County Creamery Association
Founded in 1909 as a farmer-owned cooperative, the Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA) prides itself on its commitment to bringing to market the most consistent, best tasting, highest quality dairy products made in the most natural way possible. Guided by the belief that everyone deserves real food that makes them feel good every day, Tillamook has earned top awards for their cheese, ice cream, sour cream, butter and yogurt products made with unwavering values that never sacrifice or compromise values for profit. The TCCA is currently made up of nearly 90 farming families, primarily based in Tillamook County, Oregon. Tillamook operates production facilities in Tillamook and Boardman, Oregon, and employs nearly 900 people throughout the state. The Tillamook Creamery is the largest tourist attraction on the coast of Oregon and one of the most popular in the state, attracting more than one million visitors each year. For more information on Tillamook, visit Tillamook.com.
About the Oregon Dairy and Nutrition Council
The Oregon Dairy and Nutrition Council’s (ODNC) origins trace back to 1918, when the Oregon Dairy Council was created to advance the benefits of dairy nutrition. As the state checkoff organization for dairy, ODNC builds trust and demand for Oregon dairy products and support for those who make them. ODNC is funded and directed by 217 dairy farm families and 30 dairy processors in Oregon, with governance by a ten-member Board of Commissioners and oversight by the Oregon Department of Agriculture. Dairy in Oregon provides more than $1 billion in economic impacts annually, along with delicious, award-winning cheeses, ice creams, yogurts, fluid milk and other high quality dairy products.
As November Midterm Election Approaches, Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington Offers Elections Tours for Girl Scouts throughout Region
G.I.R.L. Agenda Inspires, Prepares and Mobilizes Girls to Lead Positive Change through Civic Action
PORTLAND, OR. – October 23, 2018 – As the November midterm election approaches, Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington (GSOSW) is offering a series of County Elections tours for Girl Scouts throughout the region. The tours are part of a larger initiative called G.I.R.L. Agenda, a nonpartisan initiative to inspire, prepare and mobilize girls to lead positive change through civic action.
“G.I.R.L. Agenda is a nonpartisan initiative that connects girls to their role as citizens and encourages them to become civically engaged today,” said Maureen Kenney, Public Relations and Advocacy Manager for GSOSW. “Through G.I.R.L. Agenda, we’re providing opportunities for girls to learn about the voting process, how to make their voices heard in local government and how to take meaningful action to improve their communities. We want girls to understand that they have the ability to make a difference.”
From November 5-6, 2018, local Girl Scouts can learn about how their County Elections and the voting process work through tours set up by GSOSW in partnership with County Elections offices.
Girl Scouts to Tour Elections Offices throughout Oregon
Oregon is a "vote-by-mail" state. Every registered voter can mail in or drop off their ballot instead of standing in line at a polling place. But then what? On the night before the November midterm election, Girl Scouts will get an up-close look at how ballots processing in their county works.
“Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington is thrilled to have so many girls interested in getting a close up look at how our democracy functions,” says Lisa Gilham-Luginbill, Program Manager for GSOSW. “Our hope is that, as we make it more accessible, girls will see themselves as participants and be inspired to create positive change in their own communities.”
Monday, November 5, 2018
Jackson County Elections Office
1101 W Main St. #201, Medford, OR 97501
4-5 p.m.
Tuesday, November 6, 2018
Multnomah County Elections Office
1040 SE Morrison St., Portland, OR 97214
5-6 p.m.
Benton County Elections Office
120 NW 4th St. #13, Corvallis, OR 97330
5-6 p.m.
Washington County Elections Office
3700 SW Murray Blvd. #101, Beaverton, OR 97005
5-6 p.m.
Deschutes County Elections Office
Deschutes Services Building, 1300 NW Wall Street, Suite 202, Bend, OR 97703
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Girl Scout Seniors (grades 9-10) can complete a step toward earning the “Behind the Ballot” badge and Girl Scout Juniors (grades 4-5) can complete a step toward earning the “Inside Government” badge. Girl Scouts can find information and links to register online: www.girlscoutsosw.org/electionstours2018.
PREVIOUS G.I.R.L. AGENDA ACTIVITIES
Girl Scout Leadership Day at Oregon’s State Capitol
To help mark the 106th birthday of Girl Scouts, Governor Kate Brown proclaimed March 12, 2018 to be Girl Scout Leadership Day. "Girl Scouts empower generations of girls and women, showing you are never too young to get involved, make a difference, and have your voice heard," Governor Brown said. Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington inducted Governor Kate Brown as an honorary lifetime member of Girl Scouts at a ceremony in the State Capitol on March 12, 2018. "It's my hope that as women take on leadership roles in their communities, in the Capitol, and in service organizations like Girl Scouts, that more girls grow up knowing that women can change the world."
Members of Girl Scout Troop 10037 in the Salem area supported legislation that became Oregon House Bill (HB) 2732, signed into law on June 22, 2017. The law provides that a person who enters a motor vehicle to remove a child or domestic animal in imminent danger of suffering harm is not subject to criminal or civil liability.
G.I.R.L. Agenda—Girl Scouts’ Civic Engagement Program
In October, 2017, Girl Scouts of the USA launched G.I.R.L. Agenda, a nonpartisan initiative to inspire, prepare, and mobilize girls to lead positive change through civic action. To learn more, please visit: girlscouts.org/girlagenda.
Girl Scouts’ History of Civic Engagement
Since its founding in 1912, Girl Scouts has emphasized the importance of civic engagement, by teaching and encouraging girls to create positive change in their communities through advocacy and action. Girl Scouts learn to stand up for what they believe in, identify issues they care about, and develop leadership skills to make the world a better place. Girl Scouts has a century of success reflected in the realm of public service by the fact that 73 percent of female U.S. Senators and 100 percent of female U.S. Secretaries of State are Girl Scout alums.
About Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington
Girl Scouting inspires millions of girls and women—including more than 23,000 active members in Oregon and Southwest Washington—with the highest ideals of courage, confidence, and character. Our council serves 14,500 girls in 37 counties with the help of more than 8,000 volunteers. The Girl Scout mission is to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. Every opportunity in Girl Scouting develops these essential skills in an all-girl, inclusive, safe environment. For information, please visit girlscoutsosw.org.