Like many folks today I try to buy locally when I can, not just because of all the usual things but also because the products are superior. I am lucky that we have an abundance of small local growers and artisan craftspeople. So, let's get to some of the goods and services that make this part of Oregon special to me at least. I have chosen companies that you too can partake of.
Honey, we have wonderful honey available to us and I love the stuff on toast and bagels and of course, tea and some cooking. Wild Bee Honey and Candles is by far our favorite. The candles are beautiful too and a pleasure to use.
Dagoba Chocolate is still made right here in Ashland OR and I pass by the turn off to their place every time I head to town. They have been bought out by Hershey, but still produced locally and with the same high quality they are known for.
Rogue Creamery cheese is featured in dishes in many of the local eateries and it is wonderful cheese. My favorite is the Oregonzola, although every one of them is delicious and with it's own distinct flavor. If you go to the shop, you can taste the selections paired with local wines. A real treat believe me.
Ashland Sky bags are the best for all sorts of knitting and crochet storage. I have at least five of them for my DPS and circular needles, one or two for things like counters and markers and I plan on getting a few more for the small sewing accoutrement's that never seem to find a good place to be always at hand.
Silver Cloud Farm yarns. The flock lives not to far from me, and the resulting yarn is beautifully spun and dyed. This is good hard wearing, long lasting worsted weight Romney wool. Cables knit up in it just pop. I love this wool. I love that it still has the lanolin in it and a slightly sheepy smell. This isn't next to the skin wool, but 20 years from now, you'll still be wearing that cardigan you knit from it and it will still look great. The only place to get it is The Web-sters and you have to ask for it. It's well priced and has great yardage. Mari sweaters use it a lot. In fact for great patterns, these are also made in Oregon, while not in my valley, not too far away either! Beautiful sweaters.
Lastly, locally we have one of the best non-profits ever IMHO. Dogs for the Deaf. These folks get ALL their dogs from shelters on the West Coast and if suitable, they become helpers for the hearing impaired, if not, they have other programs that these dogs are available through. The dogs that go to the deaf are free. This program is just amazing. If you only decide to click on one of the links in this post, make it this one.
I haven't even scratched the surface of lovely available resources in the Rogue Valley, but this should keep you busy for at least a little bit exploring my part of southern Oregon.
Parting shot: Smoochie: Cairn Yeti of The Greensprings
