Interviewer: Chris Petersen
Interview Date: January 5, 2018
Location: Coody residence, Eugene, Oregon
Duration: 2:11:22
In this, the second of two interviews with Lynn Coody, Lynn continues to reflect upon her career and involvement with Oregon Tilth. She begins the interview by describing her early life in Oregon working at Lane Community College and Fresh Start Farm, noting how she taught biology with an emphasis on organic farming, and how this work complemented the different styles of farming being pursued at Fresh Start Farm. Lynn then talks about how she witnessed a shift in farming in the 1970s, especially after winning an award from Rodale, and her decision to move into being a farm consultant.
Lynn continues by describing her transition from farming to becoming a business woman, and the many different companies she was involved in, such as the Organically Grown Company and, eventually, Oregon Tilth. She then talks about the work that she as Tilth’s policy director in collaboration with Yvonne Frost. From there she transitions to her involvement with the Oregon Materials Review Institute, which led her to work on the large project of making a national list for the NOP, so that farmers could know what materials are allowed for organic farming.
From there, Lynn discusses the 1990 farm bill, and her subsequent work on creating national standards for organic beekeeping. Lynn describes how this link between activism and work has continued throughout her whole life, and reflects on her mentorship of young women who are interested in science. She finishes the interview by explaining her family/work balance, and sharing more about her life outside of her career.
Lynn Coody was born in Englewood, New Jersey, where she became very interested in the natural world around her. She planted a garden when she was seven years old, and enjoyed her biology class in high school so much that she decided to go to Colby College to study environmental science in 1970. From there she learned about organic farming from her own reading and from a farming internship in Canada that she experienced while in college. Lynn then moved to Oregon because of the lure of organic farming in the state, and after some time working was able to attend the University of Oregon to continue her education in biology and ecology. During this period she became involved in the Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides and other national environmental groups. She also participated in the farming project at Cerro Gordo, while likewise becoming involved with Oregon Tilth and its certification project. Lynn was essential to this project coming to fruition, an achievement that changed the landscape for organic agriculture across the United States.
Lynn worked for Tilth for a total of nineteen years, while also teaching organic farming at Lane Community College, and working at Fresh Start Farm. She then became a farm consultant and was also involved with the Oregon Materials Review Institute and the Organically Grown Company. Lynn also worked periodically in Italy to for the Institute for Mediterranean Agriculture. Today she devotes her time primarily to her firm, Organic Agsystems Consulting.
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Lynn continues by describing her transition from farming to becoming a business woman, and the many different companies she was involved in, such as the Organically Grown Company and, eventually, Oregon Tilth. She then talks about the work that she as Tilth’s policy director in collaboration with Yvonne Frost. From there she transitions to her involvement with the Oregon Materials Review Institute, which led her to work on the large project of making a national list for the NOP, so that farmers could know what materials are allowed for organic farming.
From there, Lynn discusses the 1990 farm bill, and her subsequent work on creating national standards for organic beekeeping. Lynn describes how this link between activism and work has continued throughout her whole life, and reflects on her mentorship of young women who are interested in science. She finishes the interview by explaining her family/work balance, and sharing more about her life outside of her career.
Lynn Coody was born in Englewood, New Jersey, where she became very interested in the natural world around her. She planted a garden when she was seven years old, and enjoyed her biology class in high school so much that she decided to go to Colby College to study environmental science in 1970. From there she learned about organic farming from her own reading and from a farming internship in Canada that she experienced while in college. Lynn then moved to Oregon because of the lure of organic farming in the state, and after some time working was able to attend the University of Oregon to continue her education in biology and ecology. During this period she became involved in the Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides and other national environmental groups. She also participated in the farming project at Cerro Gordo, while likewise becoming involved with Oregon Tilth and its certification project. Lynn was essential to this project coming to fruition, an achievement that changed the landscape for organic agriculture across the United States.
Lynn worked for Tilth for a total of nineteen years, while also teaching organic farming at Lane Community College, and working at Fresh Start Farm. She then became a farm consultant and was also involved with the Oregon Materials Review Institute and the Organically Grown Company. Lynn also worked periodically in Italy to for the Institute for Mediterranean Agriculture. Today she devotes her time primarily to her firm, Organic Agsystems Consulting.