Jackson County Fuel Committee

A partner of the Earthwise Knowledge Initiative

The Jackson County Fuel Committee is an all-volunteer membership association established in 1978 to address energy poverty in Southern Oregon through emergency firewood distribution, utility advocacy, and sustainable resource management.

Earthwise Knowledge Initiative has partnered with the Jackson County Fuel Committee since August 2024 to support sustainable community resource programs that advance sustainable and affordable energy access for low-income households, environmental stewardship through sustainable forestry and fuel practices, and community education on resource management, environmental and energy sustainability, and climate resilience.

About the Partnership

The Jackson County Fuel Committee operates seven days a week with an entirely volunteer staff, providing emergency firewood distribution, utility shutoff prevention advocacy, and weatherization services to low-income households in Jackson County. Since 1978, JCFC has maintained its commitment to addressing energy poverty while promoting sustainable resource practices. The organization accepts no government funding and exists through the dedication and generosity of volunteers and members.

Earthwise Knowledge Initiative’s partnership with JCFC supports this work through 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsorship for in-kind and monetary donations, technical assistance, and education program development. The partnership advances sustainable resource management practices while ensuring access to critical heating resources for vulnerable populations.

Our Work with JCFC

Earthwise Knowledge Initiative provides organizational support that enables JCFC to expand its capacity and environmental impact. This includes serving as fiscal sponsor for donations that require 501(c)(3) status, offering technical assistance for project development and implementation, and supporting education program design aligned with JCFC’s community service mission.

The partnership emphasizes practical solutions that address immediate community needs while advancing long-term environmental sustainability.

Biomass Collection and Energy Generation

In 2024, EKI facilitated a partnership between JCFC and Recology to establish a biomass collection program at JCFC’s Ashland woodlot. The program addresses a practical challenge in JCFC’s sustainable fuel operations: managing unusable or unprocessable wood material collected during firewood processing.

Recology provides and services a biomass collection unit at no cost to JCFC. Material collected is transported to Recology’s biomass processing facility where it is converted to electricity generation. The program diverts wood waste from landfills, completes the sustainability cycle of JCFC’s fuel operations, and demonstrates the viability of community-scale biomass recovery.

About the Jackson County Fuel Committee

JCFC is a free and voluntary unincorporated private membership association open to anyone committed to improving access to heating resources for low-income workers and families. Participation includes forestry workers, seasonal and service workers, students, teachers, clergy, local merchants, and other community residents who contribute time, skills, and resources to fight for improved living conditions in the low-income community.

The organization provides no remuneration to staff and accepts no government funding or money with strings attached.

Visit the Jackson County Fuel Committee

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to exploring, sharing, and deepening understanding of the connections between people, nature, and knowledge.

Memberships, donations, sponsorships, and grants sustain our work.

All contributions are tax-deductible.

Federal EIN: 38-4289652

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+1 541.674.5045

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