Community Spotlight by Austin Hall | Groovin' in the Grove
Another month, another Local Legend! This time, our community has chosen someone many of you probably know through her business, her generosity, or a certain group of troublemaking goats. 😂
Congratulations to Tina Fornoff, owner of Fornoff Rocks LLC, on being voted November 2026 Local Legend!
Tina started her business with one truck back in 2014 and built it through word of mouth and satisfied customers. Along the way, she's helped neighbors through some pretty nasty storms, supported animal rescues, raised her grandson, cared for her parents, and somehow found time to keep up with a bunch of goats that apparently thought they owned the quarry.
I asked Tina a few questions about her life, her business, the famous quarry goats, and what makes Cottage Grove special to her.
Here's what she had to say!
1. Tell us a little about yourself! Who is Tina Fornoff outside of work and community involvement?
Outside of work I am a Mother, Father, Grandmother, Sister, and a dog lover. I love staying active while raising my grandson and caring for my parents. We love going to the Oregon coast and playing on the beach.
2. How long have you been in Cottage Grove, and what do you love most about our community?
I originally moved to Creswell in 1996 where I was working in the logging industry. As for our community here in Cottage Grove, I like that people are for the people! I mean, it's not a big city and neighbors help neighbors. People greet each other and stop and talk while shopping or getting gas. Makes you smile to see people interacting and enjoying life.
3. Tell us a little about Fornoff Rocks, the quarry, and of course, the goats!
Who is Fornoff Rocks? I got into road building in 2006 for a local company here in Cottage Grove. I ended up with one of the trucks and started my own business in 2014. Several past coworkers passed my name on to a few people who were in need of material delivery and my name grew to what it is today. Word of mouth from satisfied customers is how you build a strong brand and relationship inside small communities.
My roommate worked at Sears pit and he would tell me about the goats every day after work. So, I started hauling a majority of my loads from there, you know, to see the show of how those goats made it around that property.
All of us drivers took them food and sometimes spoiled them with truckloads of apples, sweet treats, or just looking after them as you would any animal. There was a goat named "BILLY" who would get into the guys' lunch boxes and steal food. He would take off with hand tools while they were working on equipment, and there were a few times he tried to get a ride on the D9 dozer. He had a lot of personality and spunk.
Over the years, we started to name the kids as they were born, and I made posts about them on Facebook so people could learn more about how they were living at the pit. Sadly, when the company leasing the pit decided to move out, we had to find a forever home for them. The ones who are still alive live close to the pit, and the large male "DOZER" lives in Yoncalla on a farm.
4. You've been involved in helping our community, including during the ice storm. What motivates you to give back?
Helping the community? Who wouldn't? That's the best part about being human. I was stranded in a storm once and wasn't able to get help for several days. I decided to help those who could not help themselves anytime there was a storm close to me.
The flooding in Drain and Yoncalla a few years ago, yes, I took propane and gasoline to a few people. Snowmageddon, you bet! I drove to Creswell with food, water, wood stove pellets, and candles to a few "seniors" in dire need of help.
I was almost out of gas when I returned to Cottage Grove. As I pulled into Chevron, the power went out. Go figure, right. LOL. A friend of mine pulled in and had a gas can in his truck and he helped me out, just enough to get me home. So what comes around, goes around I think.
5. What's one memorable, funny, or meaningful experience you'd like to share?
I think the funniest thing I ever witnessed was "BILLY" at the pit taking food and tools from the crew. (Mentioned that earlier.)
6. What challenges or life lessons have shaped who you are today?
Life lessons and challenges would have to be raising my grandchild and caring for my parents. It's been challenging and rewarding at the same time. 🙂
7. Who are some people you'd like to thank or recognize along the way?
I would like to thank all of Fornoff Rocks' past, present, and future customers. Without their support and business, I would not be who I am today.
8. What does being voted November's Local Legend mean to you?
As for being voted Local Legend, I have to say that I am flattered. I try to be positive and consistent in my business practices to keep people happy and satisfied.
9. Is there anything you'd like to see change or improve in our community?
There are several things I would love to see improve in our community, but I would just like to answer this question with this simple reply:
"Use your skills to mentor others in being good neighbors and help thy neighbor."
10. The floor is yours! Is there anything else you'd like to share or a cause you'd like to highlight?
Tina also wanted to bring some attention to the animal rescues doing important work in our area.
"Fornoff Rocks is proud to support the care and hard work Oregon Horse Rescue does for all the animals they have in their care."
She encourages everyone to consider supporting Oregon Horse Rescue or another animal rescue in need of donations and volunteers. These organizations depend on people willing to lend a hand, whether that's through donating supplies, contributing financially, or volunteering their time.
A Few Final Words from Austin
I think my favorite part of Tina's story, besides Billy apparently running a criminal enterprise out of the quarry, was what she said about helping others.
Tina knows firsthand what it's like to be stranded during a storm without help, so she decided to do something about it. She's delivered supplies to people during floods and snowstorms, and when she found herself nearly out of gas after helping others, someone showed up to help her. Funny how that works sometimes.
I also appreciate how she built Fornoff Rocks. No big advertising campaign, just one truck, hard work, and customers who thought enough of her to recommend her to someone else. That's something to be proud of.
And I think her response about improving our community says quite a bit about her.
"Use your skills to mentor others in being good neighbors and help thy neighbor."
Pretty simple advice, really. We can all sit around talking about what needs to change, but being a good neighbor and helping where we can is something any of us can actually do.
That's one of the reasons I started the Local Legend program. There are plenty of people in our community doing good things, often without expecting any recognition. Sometimes all it takes is giving them an opportunity to share their story.
And I have to say, this one came with some pretty entertaining goat stories, too. I'm still trying to picture Billy attempting to hitch a ride on a D9 dozer. 😂
Congratulations again, Tina Fornoff, on being voted November 2026 Local Legend!
Thank you for everything you've done for your neighbors, your customers, and the animals you've helped along the way. This recognition is well deserved!
Stay Groovy Grove,
Austin Hall
Founder, Groovin' in the Grove
Your local resident ginger.
Help Us Recognize Our Next Local Legend!
Every month, Groovin' in the Grove gives our community the opportunity to nominate and vote for someone who deserves a little recognition.
Maybe it's a volunteer, teacher, coach, business owner, first responder, or simply a neighbor who's always there when someone needs a hand.
You don't have to be famous or have a fancy title. Our Local Legends are everyday people making a difference right here in our community.
Know someone who deserves to be recognized? Watch for our next round of Local Legend nominations in the Groovin' in the Grove Facebook group!
You can also explore our previous winners and their stories in the Community Winners Hall of Fame.
And with the launch of our Groovin' in the Grove Community E-Newspaper, we're always looking for local news, interesting stories, events, and people worth featuring.
If you have something to share, reach out! Let's keep telling the stories that make our little corner of Oregon special.
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