Connie Karr Oral History Interview

This interview with Connie Karr touches on her experiences as a woman in the field of agriculture, her family's history in farming, and the challenges faced by family farms, particularly during the 1980s. Karr also reflects on her college explorations, involvement in a sorority, and the process of rediscovering her passion for agriculture. The conversation also explores the evolution of Independence, Oregon, the impact of the family farm on Karr's life, and her aspirations for the future of the farm, now focused on hazelnuts. Throughout the discussion, Karr shares insights into her family's food traditions and the transition towards a more health-conscious approach to eating. Karr likewise reflects on the origins of her interest in environmentalism and organic farming.

The narrative spans her college experiences, where she took a course on Sustainable Agriculture that sparked here interest in soil-centric farming practices. It continues with Karr’s journey into the organic farming realm, initiated by a job discovery through a newspaper ad for Oregon Tilth, a significant player in the organic certification domain. The interview then turns to Karr’s early days at Oregon Tilth, during which she describes the challenges of implementing new systems and databases, and the transformative shift towards federal organic standards in 2002.

The interview also delves into Karr’s role in supporting farmers through the certification process and highlights the evolution of resources available to farmers over the years. From there, Karr reflects on the interconnectedness of individuals within the organic farming community and acknowledges key figures who played crucial roles in Oregon Tilth's history. She then shares her perspective on mentoring the next generation, emphasizing the importance of understanding the history of organic farming, inspiring passion for the work, and appreciating the collaborative spirit within the organic community.

The interview next moves to a discussion of the challenges of accessing good production land, regardless of size or organic practices. The discussion also delves into organizational changes at Oregon Tilth, with a shift toward telecommuting and its impact on culture. Karr emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and highlights her involvement in various boards and initiatives, including Bee Better, which aims to promote habitat protection for invertebrates. The conversation concludes with insights into changing demographics in agriculture, particularly the increasing role of women, and deliberate efforts to represent this diversity in the industry.

Connie Karr was born in Salem, Oregon, and spent her formative years on a family farm in Independence, Oregon. She was raised in a multigenerational farming family, and some of her earliest memories involve working on the farm where she cultivated grass seed, corn, wheat, and barley. After graduating from high school, Karr enrolled at Oregon State University, where she explored a variety of fields, including public health and business, before ultimately deciding to study agriculture.

After completing her undergraduate degree, Karr was hired by Oregon Tilth, where she worked as the farm program coordinator, focusing primarily on administrative tasks and clerical work. She was mentored by Yvonne Frost, who provided her with inspiration and encouragement to pursue a career in the agricultural industry. In addition to her work at Oregon Tilth, Karr became involved in the Accredited Certifiers Association and the Cascade Pacific RC&D, where she continued to contribute to the Oregon agricultural community. Karr also played a pivotal role in the Bee Better program, a venture aimed at promoting the well-being of invertebrates, particularly bees, by establishing standards for habitat preservation.