Abigail Blinn
Email: ablinn@rvfoodsystem.orgOrganization: Rogue Valley Food System Network & Rogue Valley Farm to School
Community: Rogue Valley
Serves: Jackson & Josephine
Meet Abigail Blinn (she/her/hers):
Abigail grew up in the rolling hills outside of Gettysburg, PA, having an interest in food, nutrition, and agriculture early on. She attended Penn State University, went on to pursue a dietetic internship at the University of New Hampshire, and received her Registered Dietitian Credentials. After dabbling in various focus areas of nutrition including hospitals, food banks and pantries, extension services, food service management sites, and research settings, she felt compelled to address the root cause of many nutrition-related illnesses and its relation to food security. Abigail was thrilled to contribute to regional solutions identified by Southern Oregon community members who know this local food system best. She is also an outdoor enthusiast – taking any chance she gets to climb rocks, ski mountains, and exist in the forest.
Community and Organization:
The Rogue Valley refers to Josephine and Jackson Counties, regions differing quite a bit in terms of population, resources, and culture. With many growers, movers, and shakers in the area, there is still a need for capacity to move identified needs such as food access and farmer support forward. The Rogue Valley Food System Network is a nonprofit organization that connects farm and food businesses, nonprofit organizations, government entities, farmers and ranchers, and eaters to improve the food environment in the Rogue Valley. Rogue Valley Farm to School addresses need for farm and food education through garden programs in the school system and increasing local foods in school meals.
Project:
The Rogue Valley Food System Network RARE AmeriCorps Member, Abigail Blinn, served the region by responding to community needs in light of COVID-19 and food issues that have come to the forefront of people’s minds. She assisted in community outreach and provided resources and connections as needed. Abigail worked on the procurement side of farm to school, addressing barriers to accept and use food grown and distributed in the Rogue Valley.