HomeMy WebLinkAboutElizabeth Poff Sprague Council Letter March 24, 2022
Tigard City Council
13125 SW Hall Blvd
Tigard, OR 97223
Members of the City Council,
I am writing in support of a friend of mine, Elizabeth Poff Sprague. She lives at 11650 SW Ann
Street in Tigard.
Elizabeth and I have known each other for several years. We met through a local online
parenting group, and I have been to her home many times.
Last August, I wanted to do something special for my middle child who was turning seven.
Because of Covid restrictions,we haven't been able to go very many places over the past two
years, but I remembered that Elizabeth raises many kinds of animals, and when I asked my son if
he would like to go there as a birthday activity, he enthusiastically agreed.
Elizabeth welcomed us with open arms. My three kids (ages 9, 7 and 3) got to see chickens,
friendly goats, ducks, a tortoise that moved amazingly quickly and even a bearded dragon. They
got to experience collecting eggs from the chicken coop, which they then got to keep! It was a
joy to see such obviously well-cared for animals and to have the opportunity to get up close and
personal with them.
My two oldest boys loved Elizabeth's plants in her front yard. I don't have much of a green
thumb, so it was a thrill for them to experience actual healthy living vegetation! The boys loved
the banana palm at the front of her house, and Elizabeth was kind enough to let them have
several of its broad leaves.
While my boys were playing with the banana leaves, someone from the community stopped to
buy a couple dozen chicken and duck eggs. They soon left smiling, cartons in hand. It reminded
me of how neighbors relied on each other in the years before big box stores were the norm. I
loved that people could choose to support Elizabeth by buying her eggs and she could help them
by providing fresh eggs from humanely raised hens. It was refreshing.
Every spring, Elizabeth offers seedling plants in her front yard for sale to anyone who stops by. I
have tried growing a vegetable garden a couple of times, and the starts I got from her always did
well. I gave some to my father too. I'd much rather buy from a local person in the community,
than from a chain store.
I can't say enough good things about Elizabeth and how much benefit her homestead brings to
the community. I look forward to visiting her and her family on their property, with all their
animals for many, many years to come.
Very sincerely yours,
Amy S. Hoffman
(503) 314-5396
amysue74@gmail.com