Applegate Valley Working Groups

A Greater Applegate’s Working Groups are made up of people within our community who collaborate to achieve specific goals, tasks, or projects, sharing decision-making as we go. Each group varies in nature based on the needs and goals of the group, but all of them get together regularly to share ideas and discuss our collective needs. Some meet monthly while others meet quarterly, and new groups are created as needed. If you would like to get involved or learn more, please contact megan@agreaterapplegate.org.

The Applegate Artists

The Applegate Artists Working Group includes painters, metalworkers, sculptors, textile artists, mosaic artists, performance artists, woodworkers, ceramicists, graphic designers, and more.

We have had several successful group shows, including:

  • Art in the Vineyard at the Jacksaphine Count(r)y Fair, 2023-2025;
  • 2024-2025 Grants Pass Museum of Art’s Art in the Garden;
  • Spring 2025 Uncorked Barrel Tour with the Applegate Valley Vintner’s Assocation;
  • Pop-up Gallery at the Applegate Evening Market, Summer 2025
  • Canvas & Corks, Summer 2025

We are working on an Applegate Artists’ Directory, along with arts workshops, a public art trail with large-scale artwork, open studio tours, and collaboration with local art galleries. The Artists’ Directory is a contact list for local businesses that are interested in partnering with artists for exhibitions and events. Local artists can also be found on our online Business Directory site. Learn more.

If you are an Applegate Artist who would like to be involved, please email jb@agreaterapplegate.org.

Forest and Fire

The Applegate Valley Forest and Fire Working Group is a multi-stakeholder group of organizations and agencies working in the forests of the Applegate Valley with the goal of promoting forest conservation, restoration, and fire resiliency on public and private land. Goals of this group include increasing community education, engagement, and communication with federal agencies, and better preparing the region for wildfire.

Together, this group has collaborated on:

  • A grant from the NRCS Conservation Implementation Strategy (CIS project) for private land fuels reduction in the Applegate;
  • Hosting and annual ‘All Things Fire Fair,’ a fire education and preparedness fair;
  • Working to update our Community Wildfire Protection Plan and to integrate local needs into the Rogue Valley Integrated Fire Plan;
  • Maintaining and updating an online Wildfire and Emergency Resources site;
  • Developing Resilience Hubs in Ruch and Williams.

Members of this group include the Applegate Partnership and Watershed Council, representatives from the Ashland and Medford BLM offices, local contractors, KS Wild, NRCS representatives from Jackson and Josephine Counties, OSU Extension, SOFRC, USFS Rogue River- Siskiyou, Applegate Fire District #9, Williams Rural Fire Protection District, Jackson County Emergency Management Services, Rogue Valley Prescribed Burn Association, and Prescriptions for Safety.

Outdoor Recreation

The Outdoor Recreation Working Group is a collaboration of trails associations and recreation organizations coming together to share resources, prioritize needs, and promote outdoor activities in the Applegate Valley. Members work to expand and improve access to outdoor recreational opportunities, including the Applegate River, regional trails, and our local parks. We are also coordinating to develop outdoor recreation services, infrastructure, and outreach materials, such as a comprehensive trails and recreation map, as well as opportunities to engage the community to build volunteer workforces that will help build and maintain trails and steward projects in our community parks.

Our biggest achievement to date is the development on an online, interactive Applegate Activity Planner, which includes a map of trail heads, river access spots, parks, disc golf, family activities, and local businesses.

Members of this group include the Applegate Partnership & Watershed Council, Applegate Trails Association, BLM- Provolt Recreation Site, the Provolt Volunteer Team, Jackson County Parks and the Cantrall Buckley Park Enhancement Committee, Pacifica, Siskiyou Uplands Trail Association, Wellington Wildlands Council, McKee Bridge Historical Society, and the Williams Community Forest Project.

Education

The Education Working Group currently includes representatives from public schools, charter schools, and homeschooling programs, outdoor education, after-school programs, and, of course, Applegate Valley parents. This group looks for ways to create inclusive educational opportunities and has developed an online Educational Opportunities Directory.

Currently, they are hosting Kids’ Activity Program at the Applegate Evening Market on the first Wednesday of each month and the Williams’ Farmers Market on the third Monday of each month. Along with an Educational Resource Station to complement the Kids’ Programs that includes information about preschools, Montessori schools, camps, after-school, and summer programs throughout the Applegate.

History

The History Working Group works to conserve the cultural heritage and recognize the local history of the Applegate Valley. Members include representatives of local historical societies, libraries, educators, descendants of early settlers to this area, and local history enthusiasts. We focus on understanding and sharing the cultural, political, and geographical history of the place we now call the Applegate Valley.

Health & Wellness

AGA has teamed up with SOLADA (Southern Oregon Living and Dying Alliance) and is in the process of forming “Compassionate Community Circles” throughout the Applegate. The idea is to address the needs of community members who want to continue to live rurally and age in place, and create Circles of people of all ages who are invested in looking out for their friends and neighbors. The approach is a supportive and cooperative give and take, as everyone in the Circles benefits.

Contact megan@agreaterapplegate.org to learn more about our Working Groups.

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