Drawn to the River

Hiking, shooting hoops at McKenzie’s basketball courts, or playing golf at his favorite course, Tokatee, were all fond recollections for Cody Farr-Baenziger. He grew up on the McKenzie River 20 years ago and admits it was a unique and memorable experience. Although his family later relocated to central Oregon, and he moved to Portland to begin a new career, he says he has always wanted to return to those roots.

His mother, Toni, was a therapist with McKenzie School District, and his father, Bart, was an Environmental Consultant. Together, they built a cabin near Finn Rock before Cody was born. And their love of the McKenzie River brought them back to raise Cody and his younger sister, Jesse.

He shared his parent's feelings. “The beauty of the McKenzie River area is unmatched, and the tight-knit community is something that I have not found anywhere else,” Cody says.

After graduating from the University of Oregon with degrees in Environmental Studies and Sociology, he spent years as an environmental surveyor. But the trades and home inspection, in particular, had always interested him. So did the idea of working for a nonprofit.

Finding Nonprofit Home Inspections (NHI), he says, happened by chance. After graduating from NHI’s trade school in 2019, Cody was hired by the company and entered their rigorous apprenticeship program, which provides inspections on a sliding scale and partners with other nonprofits to provide inspections free of charge.

Cody has gained Master Inspector status and is also a licensed Structural Pest Inspector and FAA-licensed drone pilot. Several other certifications allow him to provide sewer scopes, mold testing, radon testing, and more.

After many years in Portland, Cody has returned to the Willamette Valley. He’s opened a new branch of Nonprofit Home Inspections that serves the area he still calls home, the McKenzie.

“I hoped to return to where I grew up and provide a valuable service to this community for many years. I am extremely excited to finally make it a reality,” Cody says.

Now married, he plans to follow in his parent’s footsteps and raise his family in the Willamette Valley. Giving back to a place that has given so much to him “just feels like the right thing to do,” he feels.

You can find more information about Cody and Nonprofit Home Inspections by visiting nonprofithomeinspections.org