11-14-08

Media Release

Yachats Seminar Promotes Local Self-Reliance

YACHATS, Ore. – The Oregon State University Extension office in Lincoln County is receiving an increasing number of inquiries from people who want to know what they can do themselves, on a local level, to become energy self-reliant.

A seminar that promotes the "buy-local" concept and other energy and economic issues that help communities will be held Thursday, Nov. 20, beginning at 10 a.m. at the Yachats Commons in Yachats.

Topics will introduce a variety of options, including community gardens, small wind turbines, solar energy, farmer’s markets, capturing and recycling water, high-efficiency electric bulbs, modern recycling and much more, according to Sam Angima, chair of the Lincoln County Extension office.

"People have called our office asking what they can do to start local efforts to use alternative energy and become more self-reliant in their own communities," Angima said. "We realized local issues can be solved best by local people, and we've invited community professionals to discuss past, present and future methods."

Sponsors of the five-hour session are the OSU Extension Service in Lincoln County and the Oregon Coast Community College Small Business Development Center, in conjunction with the South County Issues Forum.

Cost of the seminar is $10, which includes lunch. Register at the OSU Extension Office at 29 S.E. 2nd St., in Newport, or call 541-574-6534. The seminar is at the Yachats Commons, 441 Highway 101 North, Yachats.