Please help fund my way to Terra Madre and Salone del Gusto. 

I am honored to have been selected as one of the 240 US delegates to attend biennial Terra Madre & Salone del Gusto global food and farming conference hosted by Slow Food International from October 23-27 in Turin, Italy. This year the Terra Madre theme is food diversity as an alternative to industrial agriculture.

Why fund me? 

For over ten years now my ethos has been to educate myself about sustainable food production in order to help empower others while also being a full time farmer at Boondockers Farm in Beavercreek, Oregon. I found my second nature when I was in Eugene when I became a Master Gardener and unearthed a love for soil nutrition, biodiversity, permaculture methods, and community involvement. I soon recognized the necessity for a new generation of farmers.  On the farm, I now specialize in preserving heirlooms and open pollinated vegetables, flowers and heritage animals from the depths of endangerment and putting them all back on productive homesteads and farms.

Based upon my personal introduction to plants and animals when very young by my mom and grandparents, I strongly believe in cultivating a gardening interest in children throughout their childhood.  I enjoy teaching others of all ages about biodiversity, growing techniques, preserving foods, saving seeds and everything about heritage animals. I have been an adviser to many small and mid-size farmers and homesteaders who are engaged in raising heritage ducks and heirloom and open-pollinated vegetables. Holding workshops and classes on the farm gives me a chance to share my knowledge.

 I plan on staying on a farm and collecting seeds to be grown out in Oregon. I will offer these seeds the following season as I trial them out on the farm in Spring 2015. I also plan on doing some poultry research while I am there as well. I will be looking for innovative or old ways that we can implement in the Northwest and share with everyone. The climate is similar to Oregon and going to a similar area will be very helpful to getting some firsthand experience from a culture that has been raising animals and plants for thousands of years. My enthusiasm for educating about farming and sustainable food has given me the opportunity to take part in Terra Madre, and I expect it will increase my food perspective significantly.

I hope to gain as much information as I can, leave inspired, and come back home with profound admiration for the many food cultures that will be represented and many farmers with whom I visited.

What I'm asking for & what you will recieve

As a delegate, Slow Food Portland raises a little portion for travel and pays for conference admissions, meals and lodging at Terra Madre and Salone del Gusto.  Basically, the funds I raise will pay for my airfare to Italy, transportation and lodging to visit farms in Italy. The plan is to arrive before the conference and go in search for farms. If funding is surpassed I will stay longer and search for more seeds and poultry!

Donating comes with perks from all around the Willamette Valley in Oregon- Signed copies of informative sustainable farm books, Portland food and liquor, farm dinners, duck class, please choose one for donating!

Thank you so much to all donors for your amazing generosity, time and consideration in helping make this trip really feasible. Special thanks to Nicolette Hahn Niman, Author, Defending Beef - Nick Arnerich, Renata Restaurant - Tressa Yellig, Salt Fire and Time - Rebecca Thistlethwaite, Author, Farms of the Future - Chris Fredeen Douglas, Arugularium - Dudley Clark, Hard Times Distillery - Michael Wayne Barnett, Red Truck Homestead - Erika Reagor, Thrive NW - Erika Polmar, Plate to Pitchfork - Scottie Jones, Leaping Lamb Farmstay

Please spread the word!

Please help me get the word out by sharing this link with others you feel might wish to donate and please post it to your Facebook, Twitter or wherever!  Thank you so much! ~ Evan

Debarro Black Ukrainian tomato, one of hundreds saved already. You can help save more!