Josias Escobedo
Meet Josias Escobedo:
Josias studied philosophy at the University of California Berkeley. He worked in agriculture in several states, most recently in Northern New Mexico on an eco-therapy farm with veterans. Josias moved with the Rogue Valley with his partner and their dog.
Community and Organization:
The Rogue Valley is a historically vibrant outdoor recreation, agriculture, and arts & culture destination in southwestern Oregon. The valley is located along the middle Rogue River and its tributaries, primarily Bear Creek, in Josephine and Jackson counties between the Siskiyou Mountains, the western Cascade Mountains, and the Southern Oregon Coastal Range. Rich soil and mild climate provides ideal conditions for long growing seasons of fruit, nuts, wine grapes, and herbs.
Project:
This RARE placement assisted with recruitment and coordination of the multi-sector stakeholder Culinary and Agritourism Studio hosted by Travel Oregon. Following the Studio, Josias worked with various steering committees to oversee the implementation of a food trail within the Rogue Valley. The Rural Studio and the Food Trails attempt to maximize the economic impact of agritourism and continue the development of the Rogue Valley as a premier visitor destination in Oregon.