Georgia Reid, SOAN/ENVS major, BA ’20 Awarded Oregon Heritage Fellowship

Georgia Reid, SOAN/ENVS Major, BA ’20, was awarded one of three 2020 Oregon Heritage Fellowships, via the State Department of Parks & Recreation, to present and extend her Fall 2019 SOAN thesis research on the environmental history and contemporary interest in flax-to-linen production in Oregon. Georgia’s research project and presentation will draw a comprehensive history of flax between 1877– 1952 and connect it with contemporary efforts to support agricultural land and rural economies. Through preliminary research and informal discussions, there are hints that interest in this work extends beyond historians to major garment manufacturers, agriculturalists, regional workforce leaders, academics, and possibly even government initiatives. Georgia’s presentation will be designed to engage Oregonians of these various backgrounds and interests from across the state.

The Oregon Heritage Excellence Awards honor those that have made the most of available resources and skills and are given for exceptional and meritorious work by organizations, businesses or individuals.