Mark Mellbye (OSU Extension Agent) emailed me back today and said he'd be glad to come talk with us. His expertise lies in grass seed, wheat, and peppermint and would have info on production, stats, and markets.
Because I had mentioned interest in the Southern Willamette Valley Bean and Grain Project and similar efforts, he forwarded me to Karen Strohmeyer of the Cascade Pacific RC&D. RC&D (Resource Conservation & Development), an agency within the USDA involved with the local food web and community development events for rural areas. He suggested she might have a better pulse on these kinds of local movements.
I know David Sandrock(former OSU Landscape Architect Prof of green roof/wall fame) was also a speaker of interest.
So give a shout with when and who you'd like to come in.
See ya around!
-Gabriella
Dan Lara, our Dean, knows Karen Strohmeyer and might be able to make the connection.