June 14, 2023 by Sarah
Member Spotlight: Brenna Davis, CEO of Organically Grown Company
Member Spotlight: Brenna Davis, CEO at Organically Grown Company and OSC Core Member, takes five to reflect on 5 simple questions. Enjoy!
OSC: Where is your hometown?
BD: Portland, OR
OSC: What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
BD: I am an open book, so it’s hard to say. Generally, I think most people don’t realize that in addition to being a scientist by training, I am also a creative person. I am a writer and musician. I was a classically trained violinist for years, and now am learning the electric guitar.
OSC: What is it about the mission of your company that really ignites you?
BD: Organically Grown Company’s mission is to promote and inspire the growth of the organic agriculture movement. Organic food is better for health, the planet, workers and farmers. I am passionate about the health and wellbeing of current and future generations. Organic is the answer!
OSC: What’s a favorite childhood memory of food that you have?
BD: My father was born on a farm and taught me how to grow things. I loved growing herbs, eating the corn from our garden and picking cherries from our backyard tree.
OSC: What’s one thing that keeps you up at night?
BD: Scientists are inherently conservative. The impacts of climate change may be much more serious than we currently anticipate. I think about future generations and the immense challenge it will be to adapt to the future state. We need to teach kids how to be nimble, flexible and adaptable now to help their odds in the future. It’s one way we can show love to humanity’s future.
About Organically Grown Company
With hands in the soil, Organically Grown Company was founded back in 1978. It was a company built on the belief that organic food is simply the best way to nourish people while protecting the planet. Since then, we have grown to serve the entire Pacific Northwest, and are one of the nation’s most respected independent organic produce distribution companies. Originally established as a nonprofit farmer cooperative, we evolved as the organic marketplace matured. Our spirit of caring for each other is evident in our progression from a nonprofit, to a co-op and later an employee-owned business (ESOP). In a move that took courage and vision, in 2018 we became the first company in the nation to be owned by a perpetual purpose trust. Our governance model served as inspiration to dozens of other companies, igniting a growing perpetual purpose trust movement that now includes Zingerman’s, Grand Central Bakery and Patagonia.
