December 13, 1004

Try/on Life Community Farm
11640 S.W. Boones Ferry Road
Portland OR 97219

Dear Friends,

Joshua Klyber and Jenny Leis have contacted me regarding your efforts to establish a sustainable urban farm demonstration project. They have also described the situation regarding potential sale and development of the property.

In the 1960's, the land that is now Tryon Creek State Park was scheduled for development with residential subdivisions. Members of the local community, including hundreds of schoolchildren, were very active in raising awareness and funds to save the area. At that time, many people did not see the sense in preserving a mostly logged out and badly damaged stream corridor. Fortunately, local leaders had the persistence and vision to see a different future and to persuade the head of Oregon state parks to support creation of the first urban state park. As a result of their foresight and persistence, Tryon Creek has become a prime educational resource where thousands of city kids have had the opportunity to learn about ecology and healing a forest through hands on experience.

Luscher Farm and Zenger Farm have similar histories of being recognized by pioneering community leaders as valuable community resources, and after intensive community lobbying were purchase by the cities of Portland and Lake Oswego. Those Projects demonstrate the depth of community support for learning about sustainable living.

So, you are in good company. If the Farm can be spared from urban development, it may join those parks as a valuable educational resource where children can learn skills and knowledge to help our city understand and achieve sustainable living. As important as such knowledge is for our collective future, I wish you success in the endeavor.

Sincerely,
/s/ Michael O'Brian
Green Building Specialist