Inspiration from the Clemens
Since I was a little girl I was inspired by the Clemens family. Rex Clemens (1901-1985) was a Philomath high school dropout who later became a wealthy lumberman. My Great Grandfather and Rex where close friends who were always goofing off together in the logging business. Rex dearly loved his school and was deeply involved in the community. In 1959 he created a unique foundation with a mission of supporting school building projects and providing 4-year college scholarships to any kid that graduated high school in the surrounding area. Rex realized that kids in the Philomath area needed the opportunity to grow and advance themselves.
I would love to follow in that vein and give back to the place I grew up in. Growing up in Philomath is difficult as there are not many opportunities that help to broaden your view on the world, job opportunities are slim, and there is little to no outside influence. With the Shroyer Estate I would like to give the people of Philomath and surrounding areas the opportunity for a lasting job that they can grow into. I would like to foster the desire of my employees to continue their education and skills as well as be appreciated and enjoy the work they do. I want to pay them enough so that they may have a comfortable life.
I plan to do this by having weekly employee meetings to make sure that everyone has what they need to do the best job that they can. All of our equipment would be safe and in good shape. I would like to offer excellent benefits and foster trust between all levels of management.
For the community, I would like to encourage the surrounding schools to use the property for educational field trips. This could include ecology, biology, and anything else that the school sees fit. I would like for the public to be able to enjoy the gardens as well for a very small fee. I would also like a check in area so that we may inform them of events going on so that they do not disturb any event. There will also be one day a week that the Gardens will be completely open to the public and there will be no entrance fee. That will also be the day that all employees will have off.
To support education even more I would like to provide internships in business, restaurant management/culinary arts, biology, ecology, and soils science, as well as energy/sustainability internships. Providing the property to Oregon State University as a resource will be a great way to create more community connection and involvement.
Lastly I would like to open up the property to WOOFers and utilize their labor for general parts of the garden.
I would love to follow in that vein and give back to the place I grew up in. Growing up in Philomath is difficult as there are not many opportunities that help to broaden your view on the world, job opportunities are slim, and there is little to no outside influence. With the Shroyer Estate I would like to give the people of Philomath and surrounding areas the opportunity for a lasting job that they can grow into. I would like to foster the desire of my employees to continue their education and skills as well as be appreciated and enjoy the work they do. I want to pay them enough so that they may have a comfortable life.
I plan to do this by having weekly employee meetings to make sure that everyone has what they need to do the best job that they can. All of our equipment would be safe and in good shape. I would like to offer excellent benefits and foster trust between all levels of management.
For the community, I would like to encourage the surrounding schools to use the property for educational field trips. This could include ecology, biology, and anything else that the school sees fit. I would like for the public to be able to enjoy the gardens as well for a very small fee. I would also like a check in area so that we may inform them of events going on so that they do not disturb any event. There will also be one day a week that the Gardens will be completely open to the public and there will be no entrance fee. That will also be the day that all employees will have off.
To support education even more I would like to provide internships in business, restaurant management/culinary arts, biology, ecology, and soils science, as well as energy/sustainability internships. Providing the property to Oregon State University as a resource will be a great way to create more community connection and involvement.
Lastly I would like to open up the property to WOOFers and utilize their labor for general parts of the garden.