It's Your Oregon: Jody Newell

Q: Where are you from?

A: Originally from Idaho, I was raised on a large cattle ranch. My heroes have always been cowboys! And my father was one. He was raised on the back of a horse in Ola, Idaho; spent his 21st birthday in POW camp in Japan; and when he got home, began his well planned goal of continuing the Good Life -- raising cows, riding the range and the cattle stock cars. He allowed me to cut my own path as a youngster. After high school I traveled for ten years before moving back to begin my apprenticeship with my father in the farm and ranch appraisal business. In 2004 I started working with Shacklee a company with a 50-year history of being socially and environmentally responsible.  This has allowed my husband Phil and I the freedom to travel, as we can work from anywhere.

Q: What was your environmental awakening?

A: Working farm and ranch appraisal for 15 years I became aware of things the human race was doing to the earth that appeared to be radically changing the environment, and not for the better.

Inspecting farms with old leaking barrels of unidentified chemicals scattered around was alarming. The day I was walking a dairy farm and the creek below the barn had a stretch on both sides of the creek where there was no vegetation whatsoever as far as the eye could see, it made me realize that if I expected others to be less apathetic, I needed to start being less that way myself. I began to develop an interest, but felt inadequate in having any ability to make a change. Then I was introduced to Shaklee and found a way I could educate myself and others in their own home by going green.

Q: What are your greatest concerns/ hopes for Oregon’s environment

A: My concerns and hopes for Oregon, as well as across the globe, are that people begin to realize we can make a difference, one person at a time. I think we can change the world. It starts as a small ripple and will turn into a wave.

Q: How did you hear about the Oregon Environmental Council and come to volunteer for us?

A: I looked at 27 non profits before finding OEC through News4Neighbors. While all of the non profits I investigated appeared to serve a wonderful purpose, I knew right away the OEC was the fit for me.  I was totally impressed with their vision, history of accomplishments and the wide degree of projects.  The thought of working with the oldest environmental non profit in Oregon, with their legacy of making a difference, sounded fun and exciting and something where I might bring value by helping educate people on how to help the planet.  Volunteering for OEC has proven to be a total pleasure.