Newsroom

CORVALLIS, Ore. - Bob Moore, the founder of Bob's Red Mill Natural Foods, will give a free public talk on Thursday, May 20, at Oregon State University.

The talk, presented by OSU's Austin Entrepreneurship Program and the Department of Food Science and Technology, will be held from noon to 1:20 p.m. in the Construction and Engineering Hall of LaSells Stewart Center, 875 S.W. 26^th St., Corvallis.

Moore recently made headlines around the nation by announcing that he was turning over ownership of the multi-million dollar company to the employees on his 81st birthday. The Employee Stock Ownership Plan means that the company's 200-plus employees now own the business and its hundreds of offerings of stone-ground flours, cereals and bread mixes.

Moore's talk, "Makin' a List and Checkin' it Twice," will reveal his personal story of how he used old-world technology to succeed in modern times because he wanted to own a business that nurtured his soul and his community.

He will also address how a business can be entrepreneurial, sustainable, and still turn a profit. The company's website says it has had an annual growth rate of between 20 and 30 percent every year since 2004.

In addition to the public talk, OSU students can attend a fireside chat with Moore from 3 to 4 p.m. the same day in the Trysting Tree Conference Room D107 at Weatherford Hall. Faculty can attend a luncheon with Moore from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at Weatherford Hall. To attend either the student or faculty event, contact Mary McKillop at mary.mckillop@oregonstate.edu.

This event is sponsored by the Roger and Sharon Detering Agricultural Entrepreneurship Fund.