About the Owner: Sarah Colby

Sarah Colby's secret goal is to help save the world from climate change through promoting PNW truffle science and the industry. An aspirational statement, but why not use your hobby, hunting with your dogs, for the good. How’s she trying to do that?

Sarah advances this work through a combination of hands-on practice, education, and community collaboration. She leases small forest parcels for native truffle harvesting and guided forays, helping landowners generate supplemental income that can be reinvested in reforestation and in leaving trees standing longer to support carbon sequestration. She is also part of a cooperative of hunters working to promote responsible truffle harvesting through the Oregon Small Woodland Association.

With more than 12 years of experience hunting with dogs, Sarah is committed to ethical and sustainable harvesting practices. She leads truffle forays that are engaging, flavorful, and informative, using the experience as an opportunity to share meaningful environmental stewardship education.

In addition, Sarah volunteers as the NATS event coordinator, where she supports membership growth and helps raise funds for research. She believes increased forest research is critical. While some studies suggest mass timber construction may be more sustainable than concrete and steel, she notes that research in this area has not been funded at the same level. Sarah also supports NATS participation in public events, helping educate broader audiences about the natural science of truffles while strengthening local economies and culinary tourism connected to the truffle industry.

She sponsors meetings that bring together PNW foragers and food industry entrepreneurs to explore native truffle infusion and other culinary applications. These collaborative gatherings focus on improving food safety, distribution, agrotourism, and the ability to scale truffle-based products responsibly.

During the winter season, Sarah hosts a booth at the Portland Farmers Market, offering native Oregon truffles and infused foods. The booth serves as an educational space where she shares culinary tips with professional and home chefs alike, while providing a consistent marketplace for foragers and food lovers to connect.

Sarah is passionate about our connection to the land and about spending time with people who feel the same. She dreamed of having a Lagotto Romagnolo for many years after visiting the Oregon Truffle Festival and meeting one of these truly amazing dogs. After discovering truffles near her home, she became hooked on the joy of hunting. She brought Thea into her family; a smart dog with a strong working desire and a perfect fit for an active life.

Thea and her dog family have grown alongside Sarah’s family, and together they continue their adventure of truffle hunting, food production, and sharing the joy with anyone who wants to learn.

Living in the Pacific Northwest (Portland in particular) has helped define these goals. We are fortunate to live in Portland and the Willamette Valley, surrounded by forests, agriculture, and food innovation that make this work possible.