Source One Serenity Honors Douglas County Leaders With Certificate of Appreciation

GLIDE, Ore. — Rusty and Elena Lininger of Source One Serenity recognized Douglas County Commissioners and Solid Waste staff this week with a certificate of appreciation, thanking the county for its support in helping their nonprofit launch a unique project at the Glide Transfer Station.

The Liningers, who operate Source One Serenity, provide nature based experiences and land stewardship missions designed to support the mental health of local veterans. Their long term goal was to create a sustainable operation that could reduce food waste, create meaningful work, and generate revenue to help fund veteran focused programs.

That opportunity began taking shape in 2021, when Source One Serenity partnered with Douglas County to establish a vermiculture operation at the Glide Transfer Station. The concept was simple, but ambitious: use worms to turn food scraps into rich compost products while building a program rooted in stewardship, purpose, and community service.

When Rusty and Elena approached Douglas County Commissioners Tom Kress, Chris Boice, and Tim Freeman, along with Douglas County Solid Waste Director Scott Adams, they said they found willingness to collaborate rather than obstacles. Solid Waste staff walked the site with Source One Serenity, asked practical questions, and helped identify a suitable area for the project without disrupting the transfer station’s normal operations.

With the Commissioners’ support, agreements were put in place and Source One Serenity began setting up the worm farm. Worm bins were built, systems were tested, and food scraps that might otherwise have been hauled to the landfill were redirected into the care of thousands of red wigglers.

The project quickly became more than a composting effort. It also created a hands on environment where veterans participating in Source One Serenity programs could take part in steady, intentional work. Caring for the worms and managing the process requires attention, patience, and consistency, skills that participants can carry into other parts of life.

Source One Serenity also offers outdoor recreation programs such as fly fishing, rafting, and hiking, giving veterans additional ways to reconnect with nature and build confidence through guided experiences.

Elena Lininger said the impact of the partnership has been significant. Since December 2021, Source One Serenity has diverted more than 60 tons of food scraps from the county landfill and distributed over 300 yards of compost products to local farmers and gardeners. The compost products are now sold in retail stores from Grants Pass to Portland, according to the organization.

During the Douglas County Board of Commissioners Business Meeting, Rusty and Elena presented Douglas County Commissioners, Public Works Director Scott Adams, and Douglas County Solid Waste Director Nick Frisinger with an appreciation plaque in recognition of the space, guidance, and support that helped the project get off the ground.

“We reached out a few weeks ago asking for an opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to the County for all that they have done for us. Without Douglas County, the Commissioners, staff and the people behind the scenes we would not be where we are today,” Elena Lininger said.

The Liningers said the collaboration reflects the strength of community in Douglas County and the hands on commitment they see from county leadership and staff.

“I have watched our Douglas County Commissioners and staff every day put their boots on and jump into the trenches with our community, and that speaks volumes,” Rusty Lininger said.

Commissioner Tom Kress encouraged residents to visit the Glide Transfer Station and see the operation firsthand.

“Rusty and Elena have a neat program out at our Glide Transfer Station if you ever get a chance to go out there and see it,” Kress said. “I am sure you will agree that it is quite an impressive operation.”

The Douglas County Glide Transfer Station is located at 13921 Glide Transfer Road in Glide. It is open Wednesday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

To watch the presentation, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hs8d1a-xFI. To learn more about Source One Serenity, visit https://sourceoneserenity.org/.