We’ve told you before that many ideas for our newsletter come from clients using our courtesy shuttle, and this is one of those stories. A couple weeks ago one of our clients needed a ride to her office a few blocks up the street. It was quick, but long enough to find out that she worked for Oregon Tilth, one of the largest organic education and certification organizations in the country, and that it was 
located right in our own backyard…
Oregon Tilth (“tilth” means the suitability of soil for crop growth) educates gardeners, farmers, legislators, and the public about the need for the sustainable, organic growing practices that conserve natural resources and the environment while producing a clean and healthy food supply for all of us. Oregon Tilth started out as Regional Tilth in 1974 as a conversation on the back porch of a man named Woody Derek in Ellensburg, Washington. They soon had chapters throughout the Northwest states, and in 1986 the various chapters of Regional Tilth united to become Oregon Tilth.
Oregon Tilth has become far more than just a conversation between organic farmers and advocates. They began one of the first organic certification programs to promote organic farming. In collaboration with the states of California and Washington they drafted the first Standards and Procedures for organic production, which became the blueprint for the California and Washington programs and eventually the National Organic Program. Oregon Tilth was also one of the first to apply the standards of organic agriculture to the larger food processing environment.
Today, Oregon Tilth is one of the largest organic certifiers in the country, and their certified operators are split almost evenly between farms and processors. They publish the journal “In Good Tilth”, operate the Organic Education Center, hold annual conferences and local meetings, collaborate with university researchers on sustainable agriculture, support member chapters, and contribute to research and educational programs.
For most of us in the public curious about urban and organic gardening, Oregon Tilth’s most interesting outreach may be their exciting and varied gardening classes. We’ve highlighted one of their classes, and several more are listed below. For more information on any aspect of Oregon Tilth, visit www.Tilth.org!
Comprehensive Organic Gardener Program– A multi-session program in organic vegetable gardening. Introduces beginning gardeners to the dynamic world of organic gardening, and they get their hands dirty in the process! This program runs from March 14 – April 4 on Wednesday evenings from 6:00-8:00pm at Sellwood Community Center in SE Portland, and Saturdays 10am-3pm at Luscher Farm in Lake Oswego. COST: $250 or $225 for Tilth members
4/27/12 UPDATE- We deleted the list of classes that expired on April 4, but here is the comprehensive list of classes offered by Oregon Tilth through August 1, 2012…
Apr 07, 2012 10:00 AM 11:30 AM Organic Gardening 101 Luscher Farm
Learn about soil, plants, compost, beneficial insects, and how your garden can become a living, thriving ecosystem.
Apr 11, 2012 06:00 PM to 07:30 PM Getting Your Garden Started Sellwood Comm Center
Get an overview of organic gardening basics from setting up your beds and which tools to use, to adding fertilizers and compost.
Apr 25, 2012 06:00 PM to 07:30 PM Growing the Most in Your Space Faubion School
Discover simple ways to maximize your garden through soil prep, succession sowing and companion planting.
Apr 28, 2012 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM A Successful Community Garden Experience Luscher Farm
Learn how to produce more with intensive growing techniques like succession sowing, companion planting, and vertical gardening.
Apr 28, 2012 01:00 PM to 04:00 PM Learn, Grow and Engage with Oregon Tilth Luscher Farm
Dig in and get your hands dirty at this Community Work Party. This event is FREE!
May 09, 2012 06:00 PM to 07:30 PM Edibles Container Gardening Faubion School
Attend this class to learn how to grow bountiful vegetables in containers.
Jun 06, 2012 06:00 PM to 07:30 PM Eating from the Garden Year Round Faubion School
Do you like the idea of plucking fresh salad greens, tender broccoli shoots and delicious root vegetables from your garden all winter long?
Jun 16, 2012 09:30 AM to12:30 PM Learn, Grow and Engage with Oregon Tilth Luscher Farm
Dig in and get your hands dirty at this Community Work Party. This event is FREE!
Jun 16, 2012 01:30 PM to 03:00 PM Small Space Gardening Q & A Luscher Farm
This is our chance to ask Tilth’s gardeners questions and learn what works for your space. We’ll spend time on seasonal topics and make sure your questions get answered thoroughly.
Jul 28, 2012 09:30 AM to 12:30 PM Learn, Grow and Engage with Oregon Tilth Luscher Farm
Dig in and get your hands dirty at this Community Work Party. This event is FREE!
Jul 28, 2012 01:30 PM to 03:00 PM Worm Bin Troubleshooting Luscher Farm
This class is for anyone thinking of starting a worm bin or has questions about their own bin. We’ll cover what you need for a successful, healthy and simple bin.
Aug 01, 2012 06:00 PM to 07:30 PM Tilth’s Top Ten Perennials Luscher Farm,
Walk Tilth’s demonstration garden and discuss our super star perennials. From drought tolerant and beneficial to elegant and beautiful, each has a role and function easily replicated in your garden.
