Published In
Metroscape
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
Summer 2013
Subjects
Narendra Varma -- Interviews, Gianna Banducci -- Interviews, Sustainable agriculture -- Oregon, Alternative agriculture
Abstract
One mile outside Portland’s urban growth boundary near Sherwood OR, a new farm business is modeling innovative practices that could become the future of Oregon agriculture. The Our Table Cooperative brings stakeholders from all levels of the food system together as member-owners within the same organizational structure. By sharing costs and infrastructure, the cooperative seeks to show that small and medium scale agricultural production can be economically viable. The farm also emphasizes diversity of crops over industrial efficiency, and its management is based on dynamic governance.. Recently, Metroscape sat down with two members of the cooperative to discuss their vision, and how their approach to farming and farmland stewardship works within a system of land-use regulations that were designed to protect Oregon’s farmland at a time when large-scale industrial production was widely thought to the only viable agricultural model. Narendra Varma is a founding member of the cooperative. Gianna Banducci recently joined the cooperative as Marketing Director.
Persistent Identifier
http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/12295
Recommended Citation
Simpson, Mike. "On the Edge of Agriculture: An Interview with Narendra Varma and Gianna Banducci of Our Table Cooperative," Metroscape, Summer 2013. Institute of Portland Metropolitan Studies, Nohad A. Toulan School of Urban Studies & Planning, Portland State University
Description
Originally appeared in the Summer 2013 edition of Metroscape®, published by the Institute of Portland Metropolitan Studies, Portland State University.