Unemployment is high, stocks are down, and people are cynical, but successful entrepreneurs often launch innovative ideas in the middle of a downturn. Some friends of mine in Portland have started a green business powered by bikes. Portland Pedal Power has partnered with retailers, restaurants, and CSAs to deliver food to your door via bike. Besides delivery, PPP also does marketing and mobile signage for local businesses. They also have a slick website to boot so check them out if you’re in Portland.

Oregon Public Broadcasting’s Field Guide has a nice news piece about an electric drag car that is breaking records and beating gas-powered cars. The more people see this, the more people will realize that electric cars can be rough and rugged too. Check it out:

Diversion of our nations food to biofuels has led to rising food costs and cuts in food surpluses. Low income workers and food banks have been hit the hardest. The Grassroots Garden is a huge community effort to supplement the diets of Lane County’s poorest citizens with fresh, organic fruits and vegetables. With support from local government, corporations, and community groups, the Grassroots Garden and Food For Lane County have addressed this challenge head on.

In Episode 11, we chat with Merry of the Grassroots Garden in Eugene, Oregon and we find out how this community effort has energized people from all walks of life to address this increasingly serious issue.

During a recent road trip to Oregon, we spoke with Justin Overdevest of Connecting Oregon for Rural Entrepreneurship (CORE). In partnership with Americorps, the University of Oregon, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Justin and various local groups are working to change the economic landscape of the Central Oregon Coast. Justin talks about the philosophy of the program and describes some of the projects in the works. They include everything from green initiatives, to food production, to arts and crafts. We meet Ryan Roberts, a young photographer who is involved with CORE. He shows us some of his photos that display the natural beauty of Oregon along with the economic reality of living on this rural coast.