Ruralite
BENTON REA
AUGUST2025
Ruralite
August 2025 • Volume 72, No. 8
CEO Michael Shepard
SENIOR VP OF CONTENT Leon Espinoza
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Chasity Anderson, CCC
DEPUTY EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Noble Sprayberry
SENIOR EDITOR Jennifer Paton, CCC
ASSISTANT EDITORS Victoria Hampton, CCC; David Herder, CCC; Sable Riley, CCC
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
Valeri Saldanha Rosa, Nina Todea
PUBLICATIONS PRODUCTION SR. MANAGER
Elizabeth Beatty
SENIOR PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR
Alyssa McDougle
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Growing Forward
Some people see potential where others see problems, growth where others see limitations.
This month’s stories celebrate those who have learned to nurture. Emily Blessington didn’t grow up on a farm, but she discovered her calling in the controlled environment of Farmbox Greens, where seeds transform into harvest-ready greens in just seven days.
“If you have a passion for plants, and if you’re willing to learn, then you can learn anything,” she tells us.
Her journey proves that sometimes the most fulfilling paths are the ones we never expected to take.
Brian Rusk found his own unexpected path in aquaponics, where fish and plants work together in perfect balance. After decades as a geology professor, he discovered that tending to this living system—naming his koi, talking to them, watching them thrive alongside his greens—brought him more joy than any classroom ever could.
“As long as they’re in balance, they can continuously work together,” he explains, describing both his farm and his new life.
These modern cultivators understand something timeless—growth requires both patience and innovation. Each part of the story, beginning on Page 12, reveals how traditional farming wisdom adapts to new challenges.
Even our kitchen feature celebrates this spirit of cultivation. Fresh basil becomes the foundation for everything from classic pesto to inventive vinaigrettes. Each recipe honors
the herb’s journey from seed to plate, transforming simple ingredients into something memorable.
Dave LaBelle’s photography column reminds us that cultivation isn’t always about plants. Sometimes it’s about cultivating awareness— learning to see the stories that unfold when we pay attention to gestures and body language, the quiet moments that speak louder than words.
What draws my attention to these cultivators is their willingness to tend patiently to what they’ve planted. They understand the most rewarding growth often happens in controlled environments where every element—light, nutrients, timing—receives careful attention. They’ve learned innovation doesn’t mean abandoning tradition. It means finding new ways to honor what we’ve always known about nurturing life.
As summer abundance surrounds us, I find myself wondering what I’m cultivating in my life. Are there dreams that need more deliberate attention? Skills that deserve patient development? Relationships that could flourish with better balance? Sometimes the most meaningful harvests come from the gardens we tend with daily care.
Until next time, Chasity
Anderson Editorial Director
Spotlight, Page 12 The Wall That Heals Up Close, Page 10
A Growing Enterprise Farmers embrace hydroponic and aquaponic systems
Building More Than Robots
Tri-Cities Robotics Team Makes History at FIRST LEGO League World Festival
Three years ago, six curious and determined girls toured Benton REA’s community solar system. That tour, lead by the cooperative’s electrical advisor, Ron Mitchell, helped spark their ascent in the world of youth robotics. What started as a shared interest in science and problemsolving has grown into one of the most inspiring success stories in Washington State’s robotics community.
This original powerhouse group consisting of Lucy Cramer, Aditri “Adi” Prasad, Samviti “Sami” Prasad and Bianca Zink, has competed together for years,
originally under the team’s name Intelligent Mademoiselles. As they grew and welcomed new teammates, they adopted the more inclusive name Intelligent Mavericks, a fitting title for a team of trailblazers.
In the 2024–2025 season, the Mavericks achieved what no team from Washington had done before—they became Champion’s Finalists at the FIRST LEGO League World Festival, held April 16–19 in Houston. Out of more than 60,000 teams worldwide, they placed in the top six globally and were the top-ranked team from the United States.
To get to the competition, they swept at the Tri-Cities Qualifier and Eastern Washington State Championship earning the Champion’s Award and first place in Robot Performance.
At Worlds, when a robot motor failed
midmatch, they didn’t panic. They borrowed a spare from Team FSIngenium of Spain, rewrote their code on the spot, and came back stronger, earning 535 points, just 10 shy of their maximum possible score. That moment of grit and grace under pressure was the best performance in the team’s history.
“They showed resilience and maturity beyond their years,” says their coach Nick Cramer, a software engineer at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. “That’s the power of robotics. It teaches kids to push through challenges and rise together.”
The Intelligent Mavericks aren’t just standout competitors, they’re passionate advocates for STEM education. They’ve been invited twice to demonstrate their robot at the Washington State Legislature and have inspired hundreds of students
LEFT: Adi, Bianca, Sami and Lucy, at Word Festival in Houston, where they finished in the top six of 60,000 teams. RIGHT: Benton REA’s electrical advisor, Ron Mitchell, with the girls in 2022 after a tour of the Community Solar system. PHOTOS PROVIDED BY INTELLIGENT MAVERICKS
through school board presentations, STEM events and TV appearances.
“FIRST is like a sports team for kids who love STEM,” Nick says. “Carolyn and I open our home to them, they work in our basement and it’s become a place where they grow, not just as engineers, but as people.”
For each of the girls, robotics has become more than a hobby, it’s part of who they are. When asked what being a part of this means to them they had thoughtful answers.
“Being a part of this team gives me the chance to tackle difficult situations using teamwork, perseverance and commitment,” Lucy says. “Through FIRST Robotics, I have found and explored my passion.”
“As a girl in STEM, being part of the Intelligent Mavericks and experiencing success at Worlds showed me a new skill
set I didn’t know I had,” Adi says. “I’m excited to apply what I have learned to more advanced robotics.”
“Being part of the Intelligent Mavericks has changed how I see robotics,” Sami says. “It went from feeling like a chore to something I genuinely love. It’s helped me grow more confident, build real skills and find something I want to be part of long term.”
“To me, being part of this team means I can be passionate about robotics with people who also share my interest,” Bianca says. “Being on this team for four years taught me that I can share and express myself freely with my teammates.”
They each treasure different parts of the competition, whether it’s solving problems together, connecting with global teams or simply seeing the
creativity of other students. But the one thing they all agree on is that being part of a team that lifts each other up and pushes boundaries is inspiring.
A New Chapter
Now entering high school, the Mavericks are taking the next step in their robotics journey. Along with four new teammates in Carter House, Carter Golding, Samuel Wang and Aadhya Karakoti, they’ve formed a new FIRST Tech Challenge team, Evergreen Dynamics.
With larger robots, advanced engineering challenges and more rigorous competition, Evergreen Dynamics is ready to build on the legacy of the Mavericks while blazing a new trail in high school robotics.
Their success isn’t just a moment, it’s a movement, and they’re just getting started. n
LEFT: Coaches Nick and Carolyn Cramer with the expanded team of seven at FIRST LEGO League competition. RIGHT: The Mavericks earned the Champion’s Award trophy by placing in the top 6 globally. PHOTOS PROVIDED BY INTELLIGENT MAVERICKS
PLUGGED IN
Unplug and Play
Use family fun to teach kids the power of energy conservation
By Drew Woolley
Everyone likes finding ways to save on their energy bill. But watching the thermostat like a hawk, turning off lights behind everyone in the house and sweating an investment in energy-efficient appliances isn’t much fun, especially when you’re trying to get the kids to play along.
Fortunately, the people at utilities like Umatilla Electric Cooperative, based in Hermiston, Oregon, have been working to make energy savings more approachable for decades.
“We really take the approach of educating kids from elementary school clear to buying your first home when it comes to energy saving,” says Jodie Thomas, public relations supervisor at Umatilla Electric. “We want to teach kids what a kilowatt-hour is and help them
understand what that means for paying their bill so they aren’t learning about it the first time they have to pay it themselves.”
To that end, one of Umatilla Electric’s most successful programs for nearly 30 years is its Hydromania Summer Science Camp, which teaches fourth and fifth graders the fundamentals of conserving energy. It introduces core concepts about how electricity works and how to use it safely.
After decades of educating kids of all ages, the team at Umatilla Electric has learned a few helpful tricks to resonate with younger audiences. Hands-on activities, such as asking kids to look through their backpacks for electronic devices and calculating how much energy they use, can drive home just how much electricity they use in their daily lives. Meanwhile, avoiding technical terms like
AI-GENERATED ILLUSTRATION BY FREEPIK/BRANDON POMRENKE
“energy efficiency” can help saving energy feel less daunting and more fun.
Even so, Jodie finds some of the most effective ways to drive home the importance of energy conservation are the routine reminders members may have heard from their parents growing up. Luckily, there are still plenty of ways to teach your kids the importance of energy conservation while having fun as a family.
Here are some fun ways to encourage energy efficiency and conservation at home: Cook a family-powered dinner. Have the whole family help cook dinner with one rule: No electricity is allowed. Avoid using major kitchen appliances like electric ovens, blenders, mixers or microwaves to teach kids about common ways your family uses electricity during peak demand times. Top it all off with some no-bake treats.
Take turns on power patrol. Every child enjoys being in charge from time to time. Take turns letting everyone in your family be responsible for enforcing good energy habits around the house for a week.
You can even set up a point system for every time they notice a light left on in an empty room, unplug unused electronics chargers or adjust the thermostat to a more efficient setting. Offer prizes and rewards to encourage them to be mindful of energy use every day.
Build an energy-efficient dream home. Encourage everyone to design their dream home with energy-saving features in mind. This is a great way to introduce ideas like solar panels, efficient appliances and sustainable building materials. Break out the crayons and art supplies to bring their homes to life, or use household crafts to build models.
Play energy-saving bingo. Make bingo cards with squares for energy-saving actions like using natural light instead of lamps or ceiling lights, unplugging devices, turning off lights and cooling off the temperature by opening a window. Kids can cross out each square as they complete each task, and the first one to bingo gets a prize.
Have power-free fun. Designate one night a week as power-free time when everyone in the family turns off phones, computers and TVs together. Play a board game, spend time reading your favorite books or enjoy some outdoor activities technology-free. Save on your electric bill,
teach the importance of reducing energy use during peak periods and get some valuable family time all at once.
Make an energy-saving scavenger hunt. Make up a list of energy-saving practices, such as updating light fixtures with LED bulbs, turning off lights in empty rooms and unplugging unused devices. Challenge your kids to search the house and check off an example of each scavenger hunt item. You can celebrate with small prizes or treats for each energy-efficient discovery they make along the way.
Create energy-efficient art. Kids enjoy seeing their artwork displayed, so put those creative skills to work on energyefficient reminders around the house. Spend arts and crafts time teaching your kids about some of the steps they can take to save energy around the house. Make fun signs to serve as daily reminders to close the fridge quickly, turn off lights and only change the thermostat as a last resort.
Keep “phantom power” waste bottled up. Phantom energy—the electricity devices use even when they are turned off—can be a tricky concept for kids to understand. Illustrate it in a fun way by adding marbles to a glass bottle or jar every time someone spots an unused
device still plugged in. Set a goal and reward yourselves when everyone keeps phantom energy use down.
No matter what you do to keep energy savings fun around the house, the most important part of instilling good habits is reliably reminding your family of the little steps they can take to be more efficient.
“The biggest challenge is consistency,” Jodie says. “We used to focus on efficiency in the spring and fall, going into our high and low seasons. But we’re always looking at the greater electric grid, and we’ve found it’s much more effective to give people a reminder throughout the year.” n
little wrists big peace of mind
Benton REA sponsors Safe Kids Program at the Benton Franklin Fair
Benton REA is proud to sponsor the Safe Kids Program at this year’s Benton Franklin Fair and Horse Heaven Round-Up, helping ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for families throughout the event.
The Safe Kids Program provides a simple but effective way to reunite lost children with their families. Parents and guardians are encouraged to stop by the Information Booth, located near the main entrance and west gates, to pick up free wristbands for their children. Each wristband allows space for the parent or guardian’s phone number to be written.
If a child becomes separated from their group, fair staff or volunteers are trained to assist. They will bring the child to a safe area and contact the number on the wristband helping ensure a quick and calm reunion with their loved ones.
New this year, parents can also have a photo taken of their child. This will allow parents and staff to know what the child is wearing, making them easier to identify and locate in large crowds.
This sponsorship reflects one of the
National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s core values, Concern for Community. It underscores the deep commitment of electric cooperatives to the well-being and sustainable development of the communities they serve. Benton REA seeks meaningful ways to apply these principles, from encouraging local economic development, supporting area food banks, investing in youth programs and participating in safety initiatives like the Safe Kids Program.
“At Benton REA, the safety and wellbeing of our community, especially our youngest members, matters deeply to us,” said CEO, Ryan Redmond. “We’re honored to support this program and give families added peace of mind during their visit to the fair.”
The Safe Kids Program is free and available each day at the fair. Families are encouraged to visit the Safe Kids booth upon arrival to ensure their children have wristbands before exploring the event. n
Benton Franklin Fair & Horse Heaven Round-Up Aug. 19-23
PHOTOS COURTESY OF BENTON FRANKLIN FAIR AND RODEO
Benton
The Wall That Heals
Mobile replica of Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall comes to the Northwest
By Dianna Troyer
An Oregon Vietnam War veteran with enduring survivor’s guilt refused to visit The Wall That Heals when it came to his town several years ago.
The traveling three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., is in its 30th year of touring the nation.
While fighting in Vietnam, the veteran came down with appendicitis. When he was sent to a hospital for treatment, a friend took his place on patrol. He later learned their platoon had been attacked. He never heard from his friend again and assumed he had been killed.
In the confusion of the platoon being transferred, he ended up with his friend’s dog tags. He carried them for decades to honor his friend’s memory.
“His wife told us what happened when she came with the dog tags to find the name on the wall,” says Cathy Miller, program manager/site manager for The Wall That Heals.
“We couldn’t find the name on the wall,” Cathy says. “We did some research and found he never died during the war. He was an engineer with three kids and five grandchildren and died in 2015. After her husband learned about his friend’s fate, he came the next day. He was finally healed after five decades of survivor’s guilt.”
‘Wall Magic’
Cathy has seen countless examples of healing as the wall travels the nation from March to November honoring the 58,281 men and women who died during the war. Three million Americans served in the Vietnam War.
“We call those healing moments ‘wall magic,’” she says. “We see things happen that never would have happened if the wall hadn’t come. A weight is lifted, and people’s expressions change as they cry and release emotion and pain.”
The nonprofit Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund created the mobile replica for those who cannot travel to the memorial wall in Washington, D.C. Two staff members from the memorial fund are at each host site. The replica was dedicated and displayed for the first time on Veterans Day in 1996.
Since then, the 375-foot-long wall has traveled to 800 communities where millions of people have toured it. In each location, the wall can be viewed for free for three days. An accompanying mobile education center with videos and memorabilia personalizes the roles of Americans in the
LEFT: Millions of people in 800 communities have toured The Wall That Heals since 1996. The 375-foot-long wall is a mobile three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. RIGHT: Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund staff travel with the wall and witness moments of healing they call “wall magic”—when viewers’ expressions change as they release emotion. PHOTOS
VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL FUND
war starting in 1950 when the United States had an advisory role.
“I’m blessed to be part of this, to do what I love, to create a safe place for people to heal,” Cathy says. “I meet the most wonderful people, Gold Star families honoring their loved ones, the volunteers who set it up and take it down, and truckers who donate their time to drive around the 53-foot-long trailer carrying it.”
Hitting the Road
Every year, only about 30 sites are selected from roughly 140 applicants to host The Wall That Heals. To be chosen, a community must provide 35 to 40 physically fit volunteers to erect and dismantle the wall, and have an adequate location and a short program about the wall.
Among the towns selected in the Northwest are Ellensburg, Washington, and Independence, Oregon.
Ellensburg, Washington, Sept. 4-7 at Rotary Park
While on a weeklong family vacation in Washington, D.C., Ellensburg resident Henry Johnston recalls how the Vietnam Veterans Memorial affected his two teenage sons.
“It’s a somber experience with the volume of names listed,” says Henry, a mortician in the Central Washington town of 19,000. “With the way it’s laid out, you feel a personalized impact of the war.”
Upon learning about the traveling wall, Henry says he knew it needed to come to his town.
“I notice, too, with my business that we’re burying more Vietnam vets,” he says.
He and Russell Colmore, a veteran, are members of the Downtown Ellensburg Rotary Club and organized Kittitas County’s other three clubs to host the wall. Henry, 39, says he became aware of the war due to his high school computer science teacher, who served in Vietnam with his three brothers.
Russell served in the Air Force from 1974-78. During the war, he was assigned to a refueling station in the Azores near Portugal.
Independence, Oregon, Sept. 18-21 at Sports Park
For several years, Vietnam veteran Billy Whisenant envisioned the traveling wall coming to Independence, a town of 10,000 in Western Oregon.
“It’s a perfect place, considering Independence is the first town to have a
permanent Vietnam Veterans Memorial,” says Billy, cochairman of the host committee and commander of American Legion Post No. 33.
Dedicated in1982, the memorial at Main and Center streets was built by three Vietnam War veterans and is the oldest Vietnam War memorial west of the Mississippi River.
“Our local memorial has a dedication plaque set in stone,” Billy says.
A motorcycle escort is being planned to kick off the event Sept. 16.
“I’m grateful for all our dedicated community members coming together to make this successful for all who come,” Billy says.
Billy, a combat Marine Corps veteran who served from 1967-68, recalls being with a young man on the day he died in the war.
“It was emotional to find his name on the wall and have a good cry,” he says. “The wall is a place where people can feel free to talk to each other. It’s an opportunity to educate people of all ages about the war and its impact.”
The Wall That Heals’ schedule is at thewallthatheals.org. At each location, the wall opens at 9 a.m. on the first day, is open around the clock, and closes at 2 p.m. on the final day.
A Village of Volunteers
The Wall That Heals requires approximately 35 to 40 volunteers and takes six to 10 hours to set up.
More than 160 metal stakes are pounded into the ground to secure the metal framework that holds 140 panels bearing the names of American servicemembers who died in the war from 1959-75. The panels increase in height, with the tallest at 7.5 feet weighing about 80 pounds. Made of a synthetic granite, each panel is sanded and polished during the winter offseason.
Listed by date of casualty, names include 43 sets of brothers, three sets of fathers and sons, 16 chaplains and eight women who were nurses. Those listed range in age from 15 to 62.
LEFT: From March to November, the wall travels to about 30 communities nationwide to honor the 58,281 men and women who died during the war. RIGHT: Volunteers erect and dismantle the wall with its 140 panels listing names of Americans who died in service during the Vietnam War.
A Growing Enterprise
Farmers embrace hydroponic and aquaponic systems to cultivate fresh produce year-round
By Ginger Meurer
While the Pacific Northwest is home to many traditional farms scattered across the countryside, some entrepreneurs are finding new paths to planting, using hydroponic technology—which relies on nutrient-rich water solutions instead of soil—to grow food year-round in greenhouses and even warehouses.
A few are taking the process a step further with aquaponic systems that raise greens and fish in a shared system that mimics natural streams.
Growing With Farmbox Greens
Operations Manager Emily Blessington leads the team of eight at Farmbox Greens, Seattle’s first indoor vertical produce farm.
Dan Albert founded Farmbox in 2012 with his wife, Lindsay Sidlauskas, in their home garage.
“They just grew it from the ground up,” Emily says. “They went to farmers markets and cold-called chefs to get their product into the hands that they wanted. It was definitely a labor of love.”
In 2016, The New York Times wrote about Farmbox. Charlie Billow, of produce wholesaler Charlie’s Produce, saw the article, bought the company and helped it
ABOVE: Brian Rusk pulls a tray of lettuce from the aquaponic system at FarmWild’s greenhouse in Bellingham, Washington.
PHOTO BY KATHERYN MORAN
expand into a warehouse space in the SoDo neighborhood of Seattle, where it still operates today.
Dan moved on to other pursuits in 2020, but not before he trained Emily as an entry-level employee seven years ago. When she graduated from Western Washington University with a degree in environmental policy, Emily wasn’t sure what she wanted to do. So, she and a college friend went to work as WWOOFers. World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms matches volunteers interested in learning the trade with farmers all over the world willing to provide education, room and board in exchange for labor. Emily worked her way around traditional farms for about six months.
“I realized this is incredible,” she says. “This is what I want to do with my life.”
She returned home to Seattle, found Farmbox and got a job at the bottom rung. She knew nothing about hydroponic farming, but Dan was understanding and willing to show her the ropes. Emily swiftly worked her way up to lead and finally operations manager.
“If you have a passion for plants, and if you’re willing to learn, then you can learn anything," she says. "I’m a real testament to that. I did not come from any sort of farming background. It’s all possible.”
Much like Emily, the seeds at Farmbox reach their full potential swiftly. Time and density are tighter in hydroponics. Instead of spacing plants and giving them time to grow, seeds are planted densely and harvested quickly. After a few days of germinating in the dark, the plants get water, nutrients and a daily 17-hour dose of LED light that mimics sunlight. Fastest from seed to harvest are the radish mix and the pea shoots, which are ready to sell in only seven days. The longest to market are the basil and red sorrel, which can take anywhere from 21 to 23 days.
Emily loves the smells at Farmbox, especially when harvesting fragrant herbs like basil or cilantro. Unlike traditional farmers, her team members rarely gets their hands dirty.
“If you were to see us harvesting, we’d have hairnets on, and we’d be wearing gloves and smocks. It feels very much like lab meets farm. We wear gloves at all steps during production just to be sure we’re as food-safe as possible,” she says.
Every facet of the growth process—pH, nutrients, light—is controlled. But sometimes challenges must be weathered and whole cycles of crops must be discarded, like the time the power went out for a few days.
“It was a bit of a struggle, but we just bounced back, and we’re off to the races,” Emily says. “A real system issue can affect things for a month, but we try to bounce back as quick as we can.”
Emily is certain robots won’t be doing her job anytime soon.
“We can really put our eyes on each tray, and that’s pretty special,” she says. “Maybe a robot could do that, but I think that we care so deeply, and I just don’t think a robot could.”
Hydroponics Help Farmers Be Nimble
Mykl Nelson, who taught urban agriculture at Oregon State University from 2020-2025, says he sees a potential for growth in hydroponics as acreage becomes harder to come by, especially for young first-generation farmers who don’t own land and are looking to break into the industry.
FROM TOP: Purple radish grows in the vertical hydroponic tower at Farmbox Greens in downtown Seattle. Gloves, crisp white gowns and on-site packaging ensure Farmbox Greens’ microgreens are as fresh and clean as possible. PHOTOS COURTESY OF FARMBOX GREENS
“If you’re growing on 5 acres on the edge of town and the person you’ve been renting from decides to sell it, and you’ve got to get out, you’re not taking that soil with you,” Mykl says. “All the work that small, organic farmers do to their soil, it’s just gone. All the tending to microbial life and the soil tills and soil aggregation and trying to change texture and trying to improve organic matter, all of that is gone. And you just have to walk away.”
But hydroponic farmers growing in vertically stacked systems in a warehouse, Mykl says, can take advantage of their systems’ modularity and pack up the operation and set up shop elsewhere, if necessary.
“It would still be a pain,” he says. “You’d still have to shut down production. So, there’d be a length of time when you wouldn’t have fresh product. It would be annoying, something to be avoided, but it would be possible.”
Mykl says another benefit of hydroponics is the ability to be nimble. While conventional farmers must slowly improve soil to get it where they want it, adjusting conditions in a hydroponic system is instant.
“If you want the pH lower—boom, it’s lower,” he says.
Best of all, Mykl says, is it happens without pesticides, chemicals or even dirt. He adds that real research is going into designer produce.
He sees farmers focused on “growing not just a good lettuce, but the best head of lettuce and being able to manipulate how crisp it is and how many antioxidants are in there and how many nitrates are in there,” he says.
Fish Are Friends at FarmWild
Brian Rusk, known to most as Farmer Brian or the Basil Guy, raises fish and leafy greens in a symbiotic system in Bellingham, Washington. The fish excrete waste full of nutrients the plants need to grow. Then the plants clean the water, and the system sends it back to the fish.
“As long as they’re in balance, they can continuously work together,” Brian says.
While many aquaponic farmers prefer raising seafood like tilapia, Brian says he prefers raising koi, and he doesn’t have to kill them.
“Mostly I just name them and pet them and talk with them and keep them well,” he says.
Brian grew up in suburban Richmond, Virginia. After earning his doctorate in geology, he worked as a university professor. About 10 years ago, Brian started FarmWild as a side gig, raising chickens for eggs and turkeys for Thanksgiving. In 2017, he added aquaponics.
Out of all the things he did on the farm, Brian found aquaponics the most captivating. When he realized he was delegating the other work to employees, he decided last year to
FROM TOP LEFT: The Rusk Family takes a break in their Bellingham aquaponic greenhouse. PHOTOGRAPHER KATHERYN MORAN Michael and Olivia Hasey thin basil in their Oregon aquaponic farm. PHOTO BY MOTOYA NAKAMURA, ©THE OREGONIAN
give up the fowl and focus his full attention on fish and greens. He almost regretted it when his buddies were bringing in $12 a carton for eggs.
Brian eased away from university life, too, first working fewer hours, then half-time before stepping away altogether five years ago. Along with the switch to aquaponics came a change of venue. Instead of working out of greenhouses on the farm, Brian works in downtown Bellingham in a warehouse less than a mile from many of his biggest customers.
That proximity means FarmWild greens couldn’t be fresher. Brian pulls the basil from the water with the roots still intact, boxes it up and drives it to his nearby restaurant customers.
“It’s still growing in the box and can stay alive for weeks so they can harvest it in their own kitchen,” he says.
From Ponds to Aquaponics
As a kid in California, Michael Hasey had a clubhouse with walls lined with aquariums.
“Anything I could catch went into an aquarium where I would study it and then let it go,” he says.
Michael learned farming by helping at surrounding ranches near his childhood home in Livermore. He racked up skills as he went, learning about landscaping, construction and pond development. He’s particularly proud of work he did maintaining water features for places like Mission Bay Golf Course, Balboa Park and San Diego Zoo.
As he worked on ponds, Michael perfected methods of breeding fish using vegetative filtration. He wrote an article about it for POND Trade Magazine, and a university professor in the Virgin Islands reached out.
The professor said the university was studying similar things but using it for food crops—calling it aquaponics—and invited Michael to visit. It just so happened that Michael's brother was working as a chef near the university.
“So, I had a place to stay,” Michael says. “I hopped on a plane, and there I was studying under Dr. James Rakocy.”
His new mentor was one of the fathers of aquaponics.
From there, Michael made his dream a reality. He sold his pond business and bought land and water rights in Southern Oregon. For five years, he and his wife, Olivia, with the help of a partner, interns and WWOOFers, built and ran a successful farm in the Rogue Valley.
Rogue Aquaponics had six tanks, each larger than 1,000 gallons. The company was raising 1,400 to 1,600 pounds of fish a month. Meanwhile, Olivia was developing the plant side, working on recipes for pesto, which they processed in an on-site commercialgrade facility and sold through distributors and at farmers markets under the name Super Simple Foods. Michael was also sought after as a consultant by others hoping to start aquaponic systems of their own.
That’s when the area was hit by a huge storm. Add to that the COVID-19 pandemic and the birth of Michael and Olivia’s second child, and it was all just too much. The couple decided to pause
production for a while so Michael could focus on consulting. Five years later, they have no intention of giving up on aquaponics, but they are planning to pursue it in a new place. As soon as their Oregon farm sells, the couple plans to head to Kona, Hawaii, which Michael says is a big hub for aquaponics.
“They’re pioneers in this industry and have been for a long time,” he says.
Olivia is excited about the future, too.
“I’m over the moon,” she says. “We’re just really champing at the bit to get to all these new ways we can see ourselves applying all the things we’ve learned here.” n
Annual Farm Tour Returns
FarmWild, an aquaponic farm in downtown Bellingham, is among 15 stops on this year’s Whatcom County Farm Tour.
The tour, sponsored by the nonprofit Sustainable Connections, welcomes the public to visit “a good mix of farms,” says organizer Jessica Gillis. That includes “folks that grow vegetables, fruit, or flowers, those that raise animals, and some that use hydroponic or regenerative practices," she says.
Last year, the tour drew more than 1,750 participants to the free one-day event. This year, FarmWild has a change of venue. Last year, the business was still out in the country, and 300 to 400 people made the trek to see pigs and chickens. Founder Brian Rusk suspects being in downtown Bellingham, in a more accessible venue, will result in a bigger draw this time around.
“Most people have never seen this kind of thing, and there’s a lot of curiosity around it,” he says.
Other farms slated to participate include: Alluvial Farms, Bellingham Flower Farm, CTK Food Share and Farm, Fair Cow’s Path Farm, Five Elements Harvest, Grace Harbor with Steensma Creamery, Growing Veterans, Lagom Vineyards, Oak Meadows Farm, Primavera Farm, Small Acres, Sonder Farmstead, Widnor Farms and Wright Brothers Farms. Visit sustainableconnections.org/whatcom-county-farm-tour for more information about the tour.
A BOUNTY OF BASIL From Garden to Table:
Classic Caprese Pasta Salad
Pasta salad
1 pound of your favorite shaped pasta, cooked and cooled
3 cups grape tomatoes, halved
12 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese balls, plain or marinated, halved
Dressing
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
4 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 garlic clove, minced
1/3 cup basil, chiffonade
¼ cup parsley, chopped
1/8 cup freshly grated ParmigianoReggiano cheese
Balsamic glaze, for drizzling
Salt Pepper
In a bowl, combine pasta, tomatoes, cheeses and herbs. In a glass measuring cup, whisk dressing ingredients. Season to taste. Pour dressing over pasta salad, and toss to combine. It’s best if it’s chilled for an hour. Garnish with more basil. Drizzle with balsamic glaze just before serving.
Recipes by Gertrude Treadaway
ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY YULIA LISITSA
Green Goddess Salad Dressing
½ cup mayonnaise
½ cup scallions, chopped
½ cup chopped fresh basil, packed
1/8 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon anchovy paste
½ cup sour cream
Place all ingredients except for sour cream in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Add sour cream and process until blended.
Keep refrigerated until serving on your favorite salad.
Basic Basil Pesto
½ cup toasted pine nuts
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 garlic clove
¼ teaspoon sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 cups basil, leaves only
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for a smoother pesto
¼ cup freshly grated
Parmesan cheese
In a food processor, combine the pine nuts, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper. Pulse until well chopped. Add the basil. Pulse until combined.
With the food processor running, drizzle in the olive oil. Pulse until combined. Add the Parmesan cheese, and pulse to briefly combine. Add more olive oil if desired.
Basil Vinaigrette Pasta
Vinaigrette
1 shallot, roughly chopped
2 cups tightly packed fresh basil leaves, stems removed (about 4 ounces)
1 clove garlic
Pasta
1 pound pasta
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic
2 shallots, thinly sliced
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
½ teaspoons red pepper flakes
½ cup olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
1 zucchini, cut into coins
Kosher salt
Freshly cracked black pepper
1 lemon, juiced
Fresh basil
Parmesan cheese
To make the vinaigrette, combine all ingredients in a highpowered blender. Blend for 60 seconds until smooth. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic, shallot and red pepper flakes. Saute until fragrant. Add the zucchini, and saute until just soft. Add the pasta and ½ cup of basil vinaigrette. Toss to combine. Add more basil vinaigrette as needed. Season with salt, pepper and lemon juice before serving.
Basil Mayonnaise
2 extra-large egg yolks, at room temperature
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
½ cup chopped fresh basil leaves, lightly packed
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup vegetable oil, at room temperature
½ cup quality olive oil, at room temperature
Place the egg yolks, lemon juice, Parmesan, mustard, basil, garlic, salt and pepper in a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Process for 30 seconds until smooth.
Combine the vegetable oil and olive oil in a liquid measuring cup. With the processor running, slowly pour the oil mixture through the feed tube to make a thick emulsion.
Store in the refrigerator until ready to use; it will keep for up to a week. Serve with beef tenderloin or steak.
Panzanella
Baguette bread, preferably stale, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 3 cups)
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 teaspoon kosher sea salt, divided
2 pounds ripe tomatoes, any variety or color
8 ounces fresh mozzarella, torn into bite-size pieces
½ cup thinly sliced red onion
2 garlic cloves, grated to a paste
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, divided
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Large pinch red pepper flakes
½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
Black pepper
1 cup sliced English cucumber
½ cup torn basil leaves
¼ cup flat-leaf parsley leaves, roughly chopped
Heat oven to 425 F. Spread the bread cubes on a baking sheet, and toss with 2 tablespoons oil and a pinch of salt. Bake until dried out and golden brown at the edges, about 10 minutes. Let cool.
Cut tomatoes into bite-size pieces, and transfer to a large bowl. Add mozzarella, onions, garlic paste, 1 tablespoon vinegar, oregano, 1/4 teaspoon salt and red pepper flakes. Toss to coat, then set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine remaining 1 tablespoon vinegar, mustard, 1/4 teaspoon salt and black pepper to taste. While whisking constantly, slowly drizzle in the remaining 4 tablespoons of olive oil until the mixture is thickened. Stir in cucumbers, basil and parsley.
Add bread cubes and cucumbers to the tomatoes. Toss well. Let sit for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours before serving. Toss with a little more olive oil, vinegar and salt if needed just before serving.
READER EXCHANGE
Crafts/Hobbies
We are gathering items for this year’s Operation Christmas Child. If you sew, knit or crochet, we would love to have new or like new Barbie dolls, Barbie clothes, children’s knitted/crocheted hats or finger puppets. We are also collecting Matchbox or Hot Wheels cars, cloth pencil pouches and Beanie Babies. With your help, last year we sent 712 shoeboxes worldwide. Our goal is to send as many or more this year. Many thanks to those who have sent items in the past, you’ve shared joy with children, many of whom had never received a gift of this nature. If you have other ideas for children 3-14, let us know. Sometimes items are too large for the shoeboxes. We cannot send liquids or sweets. Thank you.
Peggy Hodge 10106 Edgewood Drive Anderson Island, WA 98303 Peggyocc2000@gmail.com
I am looking for all types of sewing materials to use and pass out around the villages. Reason being, we have a memorial potlatch in March 2026. People are already sewing for this event. They are sewing to contribute in many villages around Nulato, Fairbanks and Anchorage, Alaska. Even some down in the lower states. All sewing items are appreciated. Maaseé (thank you in our language, Lower Koyukon Athabascan, Nulato, Interior Alaska).
Eileen Stickman
P.O. Box 65082 Nulato, AK 99765
My sister and I are making jewelry. Please send any unwanted chains, beads or jewelry. Thank you.
Marsha Holeik and Susan Bybee 16637 W.M. Foss Road La Pine, OR 97739
Milestones
My mother turns 95 years old in late August and would be elated to receive birthday greetings from everywhere. She was married for 67 years, raised seven daughters and had a successful career in real estate. She currently volunteers in the library at her retirement home and is going strong. Please send cards to Shirley Smith, 1950 NE 102nd Ave., Room 265, Hillsboro, OR 97006. Thanks.
Cheryl K. Smith
Cheshire, Oregon
My mother turns 97 in early August. Originally from Mill City, Oregon, she moved to Longview, Washington, with her father and siblings after the death of her mother. She was married for 50 years until her husband’s death, and she is one of those people who has never met a stranger. She makes it a point to visit the mailbox at her apartment, so please help us fill it with birthday wishes. Freda Everdell, 1767 20th Ave., Apt. 613, Longview, WA 98632.
Paula Everdell Graham, Washington
Submitting Requests Is Free
My mother celebrates her 90th birthday in August. She is very active, playing bunco, musical bingo and card games with her friends. She and my dad have been married 73 years. She loves growing beautiful flowers. She would be surprised to receive cards on this milestone birthday. Please send to Ava Greenwood, 11006 E. Santan Blvd., Sun Lakes, AZ 85248. Thank you.
JoAnn Pruett Sagle, Idaho
Odds
I am looking for a Cadillac hubcap (just one) for a community art project. Year and condition doesn’t matter. Thank you.
L. M. Fenton 43712 37th Ave. E. Eatonville, WA 98328
lmfenton@outlook.com
Thanks
Readers are amazing. My mom, Jo, received more than 300 beautiful cards for her 93rd birthday, including puzzle books, funny anecdotes, lovely sentiments and, importantly, prayers. She was delighted. Thank you.
Karen Walton Richland, Washington
I want to thank the person who sent me the lovely book for beaded jewelry.
Betty Mercado
The Dalles, Oregon
Send your request (no attachments) to readerexchange@ruralite.org or mail to Reader Exchange, 5625 NE Elam Young Parkway, Suite 100, Hillsboro, OR 97124. Fill in the subject line with Reader Exchange.
Acceptance, scheduling and editing are at the editor’s discretion. Single requests only. No duplicates. If replying to a reader submission, please only send what is requested. Submissions are handled first-come, first-served as space allows. We cannot honor every request. Please affirm you have authorization from all appropriate parties before submitting. By submitting, you indemnify Reader Exchange, Pioneer Utility Resources Inc., its officers, directors, employees, utility clients and insurers from all legal liability incurred by the publication of information. We no longer accept pen pal requests. You may submit a pen pal request as a Marketplace ad (pricing applies). When submitting a milestone request, please send it at least two months before the milestone. Phone numbers are not published. Email addresses are if they are part of the ad, but you must include a postal address.
Requests must include the name and address of the electric utility that provides your magazine.
Head out for great fishing in Arizona at ADVENTURE
Alamo Lake State Park
What Is It?
Head to Western Arizona for clear water surrounded by low mountains at Alamo Lake State Park. Known for its bass fishing, exploring the park is a great way to experience the Sonoran desert and see wildlife, such as eagles, pelicans and Great Blue Herons.
History
Alamo Lake sits on the Bill Williams River behind Alamo Dam. While the dam was being built in the 1960s, the Army Corps of Engineers, Arizona State Parks and Arizona Game and Fish worked to determine the operation and management of Alamo Lake. It became a state park in November 1969—just months after the dam was completed—and the Army Corps of Engineers built a campground, picnic area and boat ramp.
Gone Fishing
Alamo Lake is 3,500 acres and known for three types of fish. The most notable is largemouth bass, which can be caught year-round, and the lake is home to frequent bass fishing tournaments. The lake is also a great spot to catch crappie and tilapia. Fishers older than 10 must have a valid Arizona fishing license.
More Nearby
There’s lots to do around Alamo Lake State Park. Head northeast, and within four hours you will pass Prescott National Forest, known for its mountains and waters, on your way to the red rock buttes of Sedona. Head west from Alamo Lake, and it is about three hours to Joshua Tree National Park.
More Information
Alamo Lake State Park has a $10 entrance fee for a person in their own vehicle, or $20 for a vehicle with up to four people. To start planning your trip, visit tinyurl.com/a82rz9zr.
ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY HANSWISMEIJER
Doctor urges seniors to carry medical alert device
Seniors snap up new medical alert device that comes with no monthly bills
People don’t always do what their doctor says, but when seasoned veteran emergency room physician, Dr. Philip B. Howren, says every senior should have a medical alert device, you better listen up.
“Seniors are just one fall away from being put in a nursing home,” Dr. Howren said. “With a medical alert device, seniors are never alone. So it keeps them living independently in their own home. That’s why seniors and their family members are snapping up a sleek new medical alert device that comes with no monthly bills ever,” he said.
Many seniors refuse to wear old style help buttons because they make them look old. But even worse, those medical alert systems come with
monthly bills.
To solve these problems Universal Physicians, a U.S. company went to work to develop a new, modern, state-of-the-art medical alert device. It’s called “FastHelp™” and it instantly connects you to free unlimited nationwide help everywhere cell service is available with no contracts, no deposits and no monthly bills ever.
“This slick new little device is designed to look like the pagers doctors wear every day. Seniors love them because it actually makes them look important, not old,” Dr. Howren said.
FastHelp is expected to hit store shelves later this year. But special newspaper promotional giveaways are slated for seniors in select areas. ■
■ NO MONTHLY BILLS: “My wife had an old style help button that came with hefty bills every month and she was embarrassed to wear it because it made her look old,” said Frank McDonald, Canton, Ohio. “Now, we both have FastHelp™, the sleek new medical alert device that our grandkids say makes us look ‘cool’ not old,” he said. With FastHelp, seniors never have to worry about being alone and the best part is there are no monthly bills ever.
Seniors born before 1961 get new medical alert device with no monthly bills ever
with
contracts, no
nationwide help with just
The phone lines are ringing off the hook.
That’s because for seniors born before 1961, it’s a deal too good to pass up.
Starting at precisely 8:30am this morning the Pre-Store Release begins for the sleek new medical alert device that comes with the exclusive FastHelp™ One-Touch E 911 Button that instantly connects you to unlimited nationwide help everywhere cell service is available with no contracts, no deposits and no monthly bills ever.
“It’s not like old style monitored help buttons that make you talk to a call center and only work when you’re at home and come with hefty bills every month. FastHelp comes with state-of-the-art cel -
(Continued on next page)
(Continued from previous page)
lular embedded technology. That means it works at home or anywhere, anytime cell service is available whether you’re out watering the garden, driving in a car, at church or even hundreds of miles away on a tour or at a casino. You are never alone. With just a single push of the One-Touch E Button you instantly get connected to free unlimited help nationwide with no monthly bills ever,” said Jack Lawrence, Executive Director of Product Development for U.S. based Universal Physicians.
“We’ve never seen anything like it. Consumers absolutely love the sleek new modern design and most of all, the instant rebate that practically pays for it and no monthly bills ever,” Lawrence said.
FastHelp is the sleek new medical alert device with the best of combinations: a quality, high-tech engineered device that’s also an extremely great value because there are no monthly bills ever.
Better still, it comes with no contracts, no deposits and no monthly bills ever – which makes FastHelp a great choice for seniors, students and professionals because it connects to one of the largest nationwide networks everywhere cell service is available for free.
And here’s the best part. All those who already have an old style monitored medical alert button can immediately eliminate those monthly bills, which is why Universal Physicians is widely advertising this announcement nationwide.
“So if you’ve ever felt a medical alert device was too complicated or expensive, you’ll want to get FastHelp, the sleek new medical alert device with no monthly bills,” said Lawrence.
The medical alert device slugfest was dominated by two main combatants who both offer old style monitored help buttons that come with a hefty bill every month. But now Universal
Physicians, the U.S. based heavyweight, just delivered a knockout blow sending the top rated contenders to the mat with the unveiling of FastHelp. It’s the sleek new cellular embedded medical alert device that cuts out the middleman by instantly connecting you directly to highly trained 911 operators all across the U.S. There’s absolutely nothing to hook-up or install. You don’t need a land line and you don’t
need a cell phone. Everything is done for you.
“FastHelp is a state of the art medical alert device designed to make you look important, not old. Old style monitored help buttons you wear around your neck, or require expensive base station equipment or a landline are the equivalent of a horse and buggy,” Lawrence says. “It’s just outdated.”
Millions of seniors fall every year and spend hours lying on the floor helpless
HOW TO GET IT:
IF BORN BEFORE 1961:
and all alone with no help.
But seniors who fall and get immediate help are much more likely to avoid getting sent to a nursing home and get to STAY living in their own home independently.
Yet millions of seniors are still risking their safety by not having a medical alert device. That’s because seniors just can’t afford to pay the monthly bills that come with old style medical alert devices.
That’s why seniors born
before 1961 are rush ing to cash in the whopping $150 instant rebate before the 21 day deadline ends.
So there’s no need to wait for FastHelp to hit store shelves later this year because seniors born before 1961 can get it now just by using the $150 instant rebate coupon printed in today’s newspaper before the 21 day deadline ends. If lines are busy keep trying, all calls will be answered. ■
Use the rebate coupon below and call this Toll-Free Hotline: 1-800-330-4294 DEPT.
IF BORN AFTER 1961: You cannot use the rebate coupon below and must pay $299 Call: 1-800-330-9423 DEPT. HELP8699
THE BOTTOM LINE: You don’t need to shop around. We’ve done all the leg work, this deal is too good to pass up. FastHelp with the instant rebate is a real steal at just $149 and shipping and there are no monthly bills ever.
PROS: It’s the sleek new medical alert device that comes with the exclusive FastHelp OneTouch E 911 Button that instantly connects you to free unlimited nationwide help everywhere cell service is available with no contracts or deposits. It connects you to the vast available network of cellular towers for free and saves seniors a ton of money because there are no monthly bills ever making this deal irresistible. Plus it’s the only medical alert device that makes seniors look important, not old.
CONS: Consumers can’t get FastHelp in stores until later this year. That’s why it’s so important for seniors born before 1961 to call the National Rebate Center Hotline within the next 21 days. For those who miss that deadline, the sleek little medical alert device will set you back over $300 bucks.
THE GREAT PICTURE HUNT
Speaking Without Words
By Dave LaBelle
I have written in past years about the merits of photographing people from the back, but the concept is worth repeating.
Body language—or gesture, as it is often called—can convey much in a still photograph. We can often tell a lot about a person’s disposition just by the way they carry themselves.
Whether overt gestures such as raising a fist in protest or outstretched hands imploring agreement speak loudly, the quieter, subtle gestures—such as the way one walks, or tilts their head when speaking or listening—can also communicate a lot when our eyes pay attention.
If you have never closely studied Rembrandt’s “The Return of the Prodigal Son,” I suggest you give this masterpiece a serious look. Beyond the mood-setting color, the postures of the son, father and brother—especially the positions of the hands—are powerful details employed to tell this compassionate story in one of the artist’s greatest works.
A few years ago, I was walking in the hills with a dear friend, Mark, after he had lost his oldest son. He often took long hikes alone to pray. He asked one day if I would walk with him. I did not carry a camera on this day, but I did have my cellphone.
Following behind on the narrow path,
Reader Challenge
the movements of his body—sometimes unsteady on the stony path—felt like a metaphor for his life then.
I know you are struggling day by day, I observed.
He softly answered, “It is more like hour to hour.” n
Capture a storytelling photograph without showing a person’s face. Pay attention to body language. Watch how one sits or walks and where they do so. In European countries it’s not uncommon to see older men ambling alone with their hands folded behind them.
sharing
tips and life perspectives with readers. For more of his writings, visit davidlabelle.com and his blog at bridgesandangels. wordpress.com. iPhone 6s, 4.2mm lens
Email your best image—just one—with caption information, including an explanation of how it affects you, to gph@pioneer.coop. We may share submissions on our website and social media channels.
ISO 25, f/2.2 at 1/2959
Photographer, author and lecturer Dave LaBelle has captured special moments for more than half a century,
photo
Generational Wealth A future for generations to come
ea. Minimum order of 5 coins
American Gold Reserve is releasing Government issued $5 Gold American Eagles completely free of dealer mark-up for only $359 each. These beautiful $5 Gold American Eagles are a perfect way to enter the gold market. They are set for immediate public release and will sell out fast. GENERATIONAL
Luscious Peach Recipes ~ Desserts Cookbook: $8 Comfort Foods Cookbook: $13
Discover all 13 of our Recipe Contest cookbooks. Each is 8½-by-11” with index. Prices shown include postage and tax.
Please allow two - three weeks for delivery; include your email address if you would like a shipping confirmation. August: National Peach Month Aug. 8: National Zucchini Day
Tempting Zucchini Recipes ~ Casseroles Cookbook: $10 Everybody’s Favorites: $10
Soups Stews & Chowders: $10
ORDER BY MAIL: Submit payment with cookbook title, your name, address and number of cookbooks wanted to: Ruralite Cookbooks P.O. Box 1306 North Plains, OR 97133
PAY BY PHONE: Call 503-357-2105 for credit card payments with Visa, MasterCard, Discover or AMEX.
ORDER ONLINE: Visit www.ruralite.com and find Store.
Benton REA Trustee Bob Evans Retires After 10 Years of Dedication
After more than 10 years of dedicated service, Benton REA Trustee Bob Evans is retiring from the board. Bob will leave behind a legacy of leadership, collaboration and meaningful impact. His departure marks the end of a significant chapter, one shaped by his passion for rural electrification and community-driven governance.
Bob’s motivation to join the Benton REA Board of Trustees was rooted in a lifelong, positive connection to rural electric cooperatives. Growing up under cooperative power lines in Colorado and continuing his professional and personal journey in Montana and Washington, he developed a deep appreciation for the cooperative model. His professional career included partnering with electric cooperatives on research to improve pumping efficiencies and management of center pivot irrigation systems in Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, Washington and Oregon.
“When the opportunity came to join the Benton REA Board of Trustees, I jumped at it,” Bob says. “It has been great. Serving on the Benton REA Board was certainly the most enjoyable of the many local government and church boards I’ve served on.”
Throughout his tenure, Bob embraced the opportunity to grow, taking numerous educational courses that deepened his understanding of electric cooperatives and enhanced his ability to serve Benton REA’s members effectively.
Reflecting on his time with Benton REA, Bob expresses heartfelt gratitude to those he worked alongside.
“It has been an absolute pleasure and honor serving Benton REA and its members for the past 10-plus years,” he says. “I greatly
enjoyed working with the very professional staff and outstanding leadership team. I especially want to thank all the current and past board members I worked with for their support, dedication and strong commitment to serving all members.”
Bob leaves a legacy highlighted by two major milestones that occurred during his tenure. The first was the sale of a portion of Benton REA’s service area to the Yakama Nation, an event he describes as requiring thoughtful coordination and mutual respect. The second, and what he considers his most significant contribution, was the planning and early development of Benton REA’s new headquarters complex in West Richland, which is set to be completed in 2026.
Bob may be stepping away from the board, but he’s diving into retirement headfirst. He and his wife, Carrell, are planning to check a few more international adventures off their list, with possible destinations including Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Germany and Australia. Closer to home, Bob and Carrell look forward to celebrating milestones with their three children and extended family, including graduations, weddings and camping trips. He also plans to devote more time to his favorite hobbies of woodworking and rock collecting.
Benton REA thanks Bob for his dedication to the cooperative, the Board of Trustees and our community. His commitment to cooperative values, informed decision making and a genuine love for community service will always be remembered and his leadership has left an indelible mark on the organization.
Thank you, Bob, and best wishes in your next adventure. n
MARKETPLACE
Agriculture
4x5 round bales, Meadow Foxtail Orchard Grass. 4x4 Timothy, small square. 208-435-4637 or 208-435-4002; nas@cpcinternet.com. 1225
Reinforced custom-sized pond liners (39 cents/sqft). Hay covers, greenhouse covers, any width and length. Truck tarps and more. High-puncture and tear strength. Best price guaranteed. Celebrating 44 years in business. www.btlliners.com. 541-447-0712. 0426
Antiques and Collectibles
Buying antiques and collectibles: advertising signs, porcelain signs, gas pumps, beer signs, antique toys, cast-iron coin banks, neon signs and more. Jason, 503-310-3321 or tjabaughman@yahoo.com. 0925
Buying American Indian collectibles, Navajo jewelry, blankets, rugs. CA/AZ baskets and beadwork. Quality paintings of the early Southwest and Americas. Call 760-409-3117 or send photos to amer.ind.baskets@gmail.com.
Automotive
1984 Harley Davidson FLTC. Very good condition. One owner, extras. Interested? Call 208-267-7145. 0825
Well-preserved, street-legal 1953 Morris Minor Sedan. Licensed, insured and carefully stored in Bandon since 2001. Black, left-hand drive, red leather interior. Offers of more than $10K welcomed. Call/text 541-808-1069. 0925
’69 Mustang coupe 302. Automatic. Runs as is. $5K. Bill, 541-782-2096. 0825
Books, Magazines, Videos
Book restoration. Bibles, cookbooks, cherished family heirlooms. Beautiful work. We give renewed life, more durable than original, to last for generations. 775-537-7066; salacanstudio@gmail.com. 0825
Free Item
Free materials. When church/government unite, enforcing Sunday Law, the “Mark” of the “Beast” is here. Don’t be deceived, be informed. Leave mailing address only, TBSM, PO Box 374, Ellijay, GA 30540. 888-211-1715; tbsmads@yahoo.com. 1225AR
Help Wanted
Older woman in Brookings, OR, needs regular help with easy yard work. Sometimes need to be driven to town in winter. Good pay. Text 707-951-1882. 0825
Quick, Affordable: How to Place an Ad
Ads 25 words or fewer are $35 a month. An extended ad of up to 35 words is $50 a month. Contact information is included in the word count. Phone numbers and emails count as one word.
Longer ads may be placed. Contact 503-357-2105 or info@pioneer.coop for pricing information.
Ads are for customers of member co-ops, public utility districts and municipals only. Subscribers and nonmembers may inquire about pricing at 503-357-2105 or info@pioneer.coop.
Ads must be direct and in first person, and are subject to approval and editing.
Closing deadlines (in our office): October issue—Aug. 28, 2025.
If submitting ad by mail, send appropriate payment with your name, address, email, phone number and the name of the electric utility that provides your magazine to: Marketplace, P.O. Box 1306, North Plains, OR 97133. Make check or money order payable to Ruralite.
We accept credit card payments for ads submitted by email. Send ad to info@pioneer.coop.
We want you. Apply now to teach classes at Art Center East in La Grande, OR, for fall and winter quarters. 541-624-2800; artcentereast.org. 0825
Miscellaneous
3 cemetery plots, Salt Creek Cemetery near Dallas, OR. $800 each. Open to offers on all. Message 503-457-8084. 0825
Granite cemetery markers at affordable prices. Will ship to most places. For more info: Joe, 541-815-8906 or highdesertmemorials.com; highdesertmemorials@gmail.com. 0825
Pets
Fort Sage Kennels, closing. AKC-registered Airedales. Females, 1 year old. Males 2-3 years old. 530-827-2271 or 530-249-7896. 0925 Plants, Garden Supplies
For sale: about 100 30-year-old black walnut trees in Eltopia, WA. 509-531-5899; janitorialex@yahoo.com. 0825
Real Estate
615 remote acres w/views. LOP tag eligible, fenced, 2 springs, year-round creek, cabin. $584K. Duke Warner Realty, 541-987-2363 or ddwr@ortelco.net. 0825
320 acres east of Adel, OR. Borders Hart Mountain views, Steens Mountain and Beaty Butte. Landowner tags, very rural. $179K. Due to injury quick sale. For maps: 541-659-1573 or thejugglingman3@gmail.com. 0825
Let me help you buy or sell ranch, farm and recreation property in OR. Fourthgeneration Oregonian, prior ranch owner. For sale: Klamath Marsh, OR. 173.65 acres. $2.5M. Guest Ranch Overlay. John Gill, 541-480-9161; johngill@landandwildlife.com. Land And Wildlife brokerage. 0825
Preppers paradise. Totally turnkey, off-grid, 5,200-watt solar, 3,900-sqft. custom home, 4 bd, 3 ba, daylight basement more than 2,000sqft. shop, very private 20 acres, 8-GPM well, 1,500-gallon propane tanks, 2 large backup generators. $1.549M. 760-382-8654.
40 acres, 30 minutes north of Ely, NV, in beautiful Steptoe Valley. Electricity nearby. $58.8K. 775-289-4906. 0825
10-acre mountaintop retreat, quiet solitude, timbered meditation trails. 3-bd, 2-ba mobile home, guest house, 20x20 shop, excellent well. 9 miles west of Creswell, OR. $495K. Bette, 541-953-4001. 0825
Recreational Rentals
Oceanfront cottage on the spectacular Central OR coast. Stunning views, sandy beach. Scoters, spindrift and seals. 2 bd and loft, all w/double beds. Rates and reservations: wavecatcherbeachrentals.com; relax@WaveCatcherbeachrentals.com, 541-740-9953. 0825
Enjoy your ideal Maui getaway. This updated 2-bd, 2-ba condo sleeps 4 and features a charming “surf shack” design. Just half a block from a beautiful beach, it’s perfect for morning strolls and sunsets. Plus, you’re steps away from shops and restaurants at Azeka Plaza. tinyurl.com/MauiGetaway.
Beautiful coastal mountain outdoor events venue on the Nehalem River. Off Highway 26 just 25 minutes from Seaside and 45 minutes from Portland, enclosed 30x60 white tent, 20x24 deck overlooking the Nehalem River and beautiful wilderness background. Book the weekend or by the hour with camping available. Schedule a tour today. 971-489-3960. 0925
$275/night VRBO vacation rental. Only 1/8 of a mile from Lake Coeur d’Alene, ID. t.vrbo.io/EgtTnZc7HSb. 0925
Recreational Vehicles
2007 17-ft. Nash trailer. Self-contained. Lots of extras. Sleeps 5 to 6 (3 bd). $11K. Visit “Dean Wheeling” on Facebook Marketplace. 541-444-1394. 0825
Resorts, Camps, Tours, Lodges
Cruises: Alaska, Caribbean, Mediterranean, Panama Canal, Hawaii and more. River cruises, safaris, resorts. UdoU Travel LLC: www.udoutravelllc.com, 541-256-0100, cindygreenup@gmail.com. 1125
Services
Dawn Till Dusk Masonry. Brick, block, stone and pavers. Small jobs and repairs welcome. dawntillduskconstructionmasonry.com. 541-388-7605, 541-410-6945. License #245760 bonded and insured. La Pine, OR. 0825
Blue Mountain Defensible Space LLC Wildfire Fuel Reduction: clearing brush, thinning trees, animal habitat enhancement. Expert service. Grant money available OR, WA, ID. Bluemountainbrush@gmail.com, 509-399-3473; Bluemountainbrush.com. 0126
Situations Wanted
71-year-old country girl. Received many responses, unfortunately from too far away. Looking for Brookings, OR, area only. Snowbirds? Be a bit persistent; I’m overwhelmed with replies. Please text me at 707-951-1882.
Want to Buy
Old carpenter tools, planes (wood/metal), levels, chisels, slicks, adzes, axes, hatchets, handsaws, old rulers, spoke shaves, wrenches, shipwright tools, old tool chests. 503-659-0009, 971-666-0659. 0825
Gold, silver, coins/currency, buy, sell. Collections wanted. Fair prices paid. 44 years in retail store. Baker City, OR. 800-556-2133, garrymclin@aol.com. 1025
Buying American Indian Collectibles, Navajo jewelry, blankets, rugs. CA/AZ baskets and beadwork. Quality paintings of the early Southwest and Americas. Send photos to amer.ind.baskets@gmail.com or call 760-409-3117. 1025
Cash paid for old gas station and oil company signs, pumps, globes, metal oil cans. Good condition. Discreet cash settlement. Clifton Jones, collector, 512-413-4459. 1225
Salad Cookbook
Want a fresh take on salads? More than 250 readerrecommended recipes are listed in an 8½-by-11-inch indexed book for $8, postage included.
To order by mail, send payment and number of cookbooks wanted along with your name and address to Ruralite Cookbooks, P.O. Box 1306, North Plains, OR 97133.
To pay with Visa, MasterCard, Discover card or American Express, call 503-357-2105.
To order online, visit www.ruralite.org. Allow two to three weeks for delivery.
United Methodist Church A Spiritual Base Camp On The Way To Paradise. Mashell Avenue North P.O. Box 205 Eatonville, WA
Facebook: Eatonville United Methodist Church of Washington OPEN HEARTS OPEN MINDS OPEN DOORS OPEN TABLE WORSHIP SERVICE BEGINS AT 10:30 a.m.
Powering Up Our
Powering Up Our
Benton REA invests in the future through youth programs,
At Benton REA, commitment to community goes beyond keeping the lights on. The cooperative actively invests in the next generation by offering scholarships, sponsoring youth programs and supporting events that help young people thrive both in and out of the classroom.
Empowering Students Through Scholarships
Every year, up to eight scholarships are awarded to graduating high school seniors whose parents are members of Benton REA and reside in Benton, Lewis or Yakima counties. These scholarships support students as they pursue higher education and career training.
Academic scholarships: Up to five students receive $8,000 each, distributed over four years, to support their academic journeys at colleges and universities.
Trade & technical scholarships: Two recipients are awarded $4,000 to pursue trade school, technical training or certification programs in fields such as applied science or skilled trades.
Line school scholarship: One scholarship of $8,000 is awarded to a student entering an electrical lineworker training program, helping prepare the future workforce of the utility industry. These scholarships help ensure that students seeking higher education, whether pursuing traditional academic paths or skilled trades, can succeed.
Leadership and Discovery Through Youth Tour
Each summer, Benton REA sponsors local high school sophomores and juniors to attend the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. This all-expenses-paid experience, hosted in partnership with the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, brings together more than 2,000 students from across the country.
Our Communities
Our Communities
programs, scholarships and community outreach
Students meet new people, explore historic landmarks and engage in leadership and civic activities that help them grow in confidence and communication.
To qualify, students must submit an essay detailing why they want to attend and what they hope to gain from the experience. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to step outside the classroom and into the heart of American democracy.
Building Community Through Events and Sponsorships
Benton REA’s dedication to youth extends far beyond scholarships and leadership programs. The cooperative proudly sponsors and participates in a wide variety of community events that promote education, health and fun for local families. From National Night Out and RiverFest to Farm Fair and the STEM Academy, these events offer opportunities for youth to explore their interests and engage with their community. Benton REA also supports robotics competitions, youth sports teams and 3-on-3 basketball tournaments helping young people stay active, learn teamwork and build lasting friendships. By investing in these experiences, Benton REA fosters a sense of belonging and encourages lifelong learning and personal growth.
Care for Community
Through scholarships, leadership opportunities like Youth Tour, and sponsorship of sports and STEM events, Benton REA shows its deep commitment to the success and development of the young people in the communities it serves. As a memberowned cooperative, Benton REA is proud to support the future, one student at a time. n
You’ve got the POWER! Benton REA will begin accepting applications for scholarships and Youth Tour this fall. For more information visit BentonREA.org/youth-programs. Requests for community donations can be made anytime by submitting an application at BentonREA.org/community-donations.
BEFORE YOU GO
Dinner, My Deer?
Nature surprises us through sunsets, picturesque landscapes and even by friendly wildlife visits to your backyard.
“We were sitting at the table in the patio about to have dinner, and here came the deer,” Robbie Strand says.
To submit your photo, email a JPEG to photos@pioneer.coop. Include “Before You Go” in the subject line and share a bit about what inspired you to make your photo. n
A message from the
Be aware!
Be prepared!
When you go outdoors, wear an EPA registered insect repellant, and protective clothing. The best defense is… defense, it turns out.
Check everywhere!
Ticks are tiny and can be found almost anywhere outdoors, year round! The best prevention is to pay attention. Ticks suck, but being outdoors shouldn’t. Learn more at
When you come back inside, take a shower, and check everywhere! We mean everywhere: Up top! Bend over! Don’t be scared.
If you do get a tick, there’s no need to panic. Follow safe removal instructions, and call your doctor with any questions!
A herd of deer shows up as surprise guests. PHOTO COURTESY OF ROBBIE STRAND
TICK TIP #1
TICK TIP #2
TICK TIP #3
TICK TIP #4
Forest Through the Trees
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Prosser Office
402 7th St. Prosser, WA 99350
509-786-2913
Mailing Address:
Report an Outage:
Contact the Office: Website:
Board of Trustees
West Richland Office
6095 W. Van Giesen St. West Richland, WA 99353
509-786-2913
P.O. Box 1150 Prosser, WA 99350
509-786-2913
509-786-2913 www.BentonREA.org
Scott Fisher, President, District 6
Mike Freepons, Vice President, District 2
Bill Shibley, Secretary/Treasurer, District 8
Dan Plung, District 1
Vacant Position, District 3
Connie Krull, District 4
Tim Grow, District 5
Ted Wallace, District 7
Ronald Hall, District 9
Board Meetings, Agendas & Minutes
The board of trustees meet the last Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. unless otherwise scheduled.
The board agenda for the upcoming meeting is available to members upon request no earlier than six days prior to the board meeting. Minutes of prior board meetings are available to members upon request. To request board agendas or minutes, visit a Benton REA office, call 509-781-6719 or email priorityrequests@bentonrea.org.
Management Staff
Ryan J. Redmond, CEO
Troy L. Berglund, Deputy General Manager and VP of Member Experience
Andrew Gould, VP of Engineering/COO
Justin Waldron, VP of Support Services/CFO
Empowering the Next Generation
At Benton REA, we believe that building a stronger community means investing in the future, especially in our youth. Whether it’s through scholarships, safety programs, or sponsorships of STEM and sports events, our mission goes far beyond delivering electricity. We’re here to empower, protect and uplift the next generation.
This summer, we’re proud to once again sponsor the Safe Kids Program at the Benton Franklin Fair and Horse Heaven Round-Up. This program gives parents peace of mind with free wristbands that help reunite lost children quickly and safely. This year’s addition of child ID photos makes it even more effective. It’s a simple yet powerful way to demonstrate our core cooperative principle: Concern for Community.
We’ve also witnessed the incredible journey of four inspiring young women, the Intelligent Mavericks, whose early robotics adventure included a tour of our Community Solar project. Their hard work, curiosity and collaboration led them all the way to the FIRST LEGO League World Festival, where they ranked among the top six teams worldwide. As they launch a new high school team, Evergreen Dynamics, we’re proud to support their ongoing pursuit of excellence in STEM.
In addition, Benton REA continues to invest in the education and leadership of local students through our scholarship and Youth Tour programs. Each year, we award scholarships to help graduating seniors pursue college, trade schools or lineworker training. We also sponsor local students to attend the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Youth Tour in Washington, D.C., where they develop leadership skills and experience our nation’s history firsthand.
These programs share a common thread—they highlight what’s possible when we invest in people—especially young people. They remind us that our future is bright when we support curiosity, safety and learning at every turn.
Thank you for being part of the Benton REA community. Together, we are empowering tomorrow’s leaders, one opportunity at a time.
Ryan J. Redmond, CEO