Oregon Small Farm News is a free online newsletter that concentrates on both commercial small farm entrepreneurs as well as non-commercial small acreage landowners. Our focus embraces organic/biological and conventional farming systems and emphasizes three areas:
- Small Acreage Stewardship - Addressing enterprises, land management and soil and water quality for non-commercial small acreage's.
- Commercial Small Farms - Entrepreneurial Agriculture Addressing high value horticulture, livestock and poultry, and alternative crop production emphasizing organic and pasture-based systems and specialty and niche production.
- Community Food Systems - Address alternative and specialty marketing through creation and enhancement of local and regional food systems and farm direct marketing channels.
To subscribe to our email list - email smallfarmsprogram@oregonstate.edu
Vol. XIX No. 2 Spring 2024
In this issue:
- A Letter from Nate Stacey, NEW Small Farms Extension Specialist
- Linn County Families Receive Local Food Through Unique Extension Partnership
- Insights Into Sourcing and Celebrating Local Food at Small Farms Conference
- Farmer Feature: Sara O’Neill of Euchre Creek Farm
- OSU Small Farms Teaching Farm in Jackson County Expands Partnerships
- OSU Extension Leads Effort For First-Ever Agritourism Economic Impact Analysis in the Willamette Valley
- Get involved with the Dry Farming Collaborative & View OSU Dry Farming Resources
- Interested in Organic Certification? Check Out These New Services
Vol. XVIII No. 1 Winter 2023
2023 OSU Small Farms Conference is Saturday, February 18th
For the Love of Farming Podcast – First Series Complete
Oregon Community Food Systems Network Brings Together Statewide Coalition to Distribute $1.5M for Small and Underserved Farmer Disaster Relief
Veteran Women for the Land Project – Enhancing Support and Growing Programming
Small Farms and Community Food Systems at the Oregon Legislature: Oregon Community Food Systems Network Plans for the 2023 Session
New Project Helps Beginning Farmers and Ranchers of All Backgrounds Access Farmland
DEQ Offers Free Well Water Testing in Southern Deschutes County
Vol. XVIII No. 2 Fall 2023
- The Oregon Farm Direct Marketing Law Has Been Updated!
- OSU Extension Answers The Call to Serve Veterans Interested in Farming
- The Be Well Project
- Connecting With Small Farming Community
- Thinking of Adding Livestock to Your Harm? Here’s Where to Start
- For the Love of Farming Podcast – Season 2
- Oregon Legislature Funds Food Systems Drought & Heat Resilience Programs
- Join The Farmer-to-Farmer Willamette Valley Agritourism Network
- Organic Grains and Pulses Field Day
- Headwaters Farm Business Incubator Program Applications for 2024 Now Open
- Southern Oregon Farmers & Ag Professionals Launch New Climate Adapted Seed Project
- 5 Legal Options For Legal Commercial Irrigation Water
- Oregon State to Co-Lead $30 Million USDA Regional Food Business Center
- Warm Season Forage Field Day
Vol. XIX No. 1 Winter 2024
New Faces & New Roles Within The Small Farms Program
2024 OSU Small Farms Conference is February 17, 2024 in Corvallis
Accelerator Program Brings New Dry Farmers Up To Speed
Farmer Feature: Korrie & Rob Hooper of Farm For Our Lives
Living With Your Water Well & Septic Systems Winter Webinars
A New OSU Program Addresses the Impacts of Climate Stress and Grief on Farmers
Take Conservation to the Next Level with CSP
Vol. XVII No. 1 Winter 2022
- Tomato Grafting for Dry-Farmed Production in Oregon
- Keeping Livestock and Pastures Healthy Over the Winter
- Keeping Oregon Producers Continue to Adapt Direct to Consumer Marketing
- A Climate Resilience Toolbox for Working with Oregon’s Farmers and Ranchers
- Farming on The Edge
- Policy Opportunities To Advance Climate Resilience on Oregon’s Agricultural Lands
Vol. XVII No. 2 Spring 2022
- Drought, Fire, Flood, Disaster Relief & Resiliency Programs
- New Small Farms Program Podcast: For the Love of Farming
- The Power of Women Farm Networks
- Overwintering Cauliflower and Purple Sprouting Broccoli for Willamette Valley Farmers: Summary of NWREC Variety Demonstrations
- Farmers, Ranchers & Advocates Praise Legislature for Funding Program to Keep Working Lands Working
- Organic Nutrient Management for Vegetable Production: a new online course for farmers and other professionals
- Oregon Agriculture Food And Fiber: An Economic Analysis 2021
Vol. XVII No. 3 Summer 2022
- New Faces On The Small Farms Team
- Winter Vegetable Production Publication Available
- New Warm-season Forage Research at Oregon State University
- Exploring Medicinal Herb Production in the Pacific Northwest
- Check Out These Featured Resources From the Team
- Oregon Producers Continue to Look to Diversify Through Agricultural Tourism
- Supporting the Food Systems Community in Oregon
Vol. XVII No. 4 Fall 2022
Inflation Reduction Act of 2022: Funding Incentivizes Climate Solutions for Sustainable Agriculture
Save the Date for 2023 OSU Small Farms Conference
Canine Detection & Vole Management On Organic Farms: New Project Update
Oregon’s Farm and Ranch Equity and Anti-Racism Program (O-FREAP)
Oregon Farmers Receive Disaster Relief Funding for 2021 Disasters
A Summer of Interning with the Small Farms Program
Rogue Farm Corps seeks 2023 Mentor Host Farms Online Courses offered by the OSU Small Farms Program
Vol. XVI No. 1 Winter 2021
- Black Oregon Land Trust Launches
- Jeff Falen, founder of Persephone Farm died on December 4, 2020 leaving a legacy of healthy soil, tight-knit community, inspiration and love
- Shigemto Kato & Pioneer Farmer Rice Breeders
- Envisioning an Oregon Food Charter: Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Immigrant, & Refugee Perspectives
- OSU Organic Extension Program Update
- Western Cover Crops Council Works To Increase Cover Cropping In The Western US
- Land Transfers Need Technical Assistance
- Fodder for Forage: Fact, Folly, Fable or Fabulous?
Vol. XVI No. 3 Summer 2021
-
Managing Hypochaeris radiata May Prevent Stringhalt Disease in Horses
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Announcing The Viviane Barnett Food System Fellows Sixteen Leaders of Color Selected for Contributions, Potential in Food Systems Change
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Oregon Taste Launches First Ever Statewide Directory of Fresh Oregon Food Producers `
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2021 Oregon Olive School: For The Growing Industry in Oregon
Vol. XVI No. 4 Fall 2021
- Exploring Dry Farmed Winter Tomatoes in the PNW
- Managing Tansy Ragwort: Know your options and the best timing for controlling this toxic weed
- Small Meat Processors & Regulatory Burden - NMPAN Evaluates The Impact of Federal Agency Oversight
- HB 2785 Strengthens Oregon Small & Niche Meat Processing Sector
Vol. XV No. 2 Spring 2020
- Small Farms, Local Food, & COVID-19: What do you need to know?
- Takeo Sakata’s Double Flowering Petunia
- Livestock Farmers, Are You Ready For Tighter Restrictions on Antibiotics?
- Farmers: consider Individual Development Accounts to help you build your farm business
- Developing Oregon’s Winter Vegetable Market: North Willamette Research and Extension Center Field Day
Vol. XV No. 3 Summer 2020
- After Another Tragedy, It’s Time To Make Real Change A Priority*
- Black and Brown Farmers of Color in Oregon
- Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Flowchart: An interactive flowchart to explore resources on incorporating CSA into your operation
- OSU Small Farms offers Free Webinar on Staying Strong during Challenging Times
- The Farmer-Breeder Who Shaped the Flavor of Japanese Tea: Hikosaburo Sugiyama
- U-Pick farms Are Open For Business, Farmers Are Making Accommodations
Vol. XV No. 4 Fall 2020
- Small Farms, Local Food, and Wildfires: What Do You Need to Know?
- A New, BIPOC-led Farmers Market Takes Root in Portland
- 2020-21 Variety Showcase + Winter Vegetable Sagra
- Tsuneo Kanzawa: The Man Who Saved the Grape Industry of Japan
- Oregon Farmers Market Go Online!
- Heirloom Collard Project
- WSARE Grant Will Help Producers Fine Tune Season Extension Use
- ODA Awards $250K in Farm to School Equipment & Infrastructure Grants
Vol. XIIII No. 1 Winter 2019
- The National Climate Assessment Identifies Challenges for Agriculture And Rural Communities
- The Invention of the Rice Transplanter by Farmers
- Expanding Opportunities for Small-Scale Farms in the Specialty Food Market
- Field to Market: Producing & Selling Farm-Direct Products
- Reflections on my career with Organically Grown Company
- Exploring Cover Crops in Central Oregon
- Oregon Farmers Markets Association Receives $247,000 Federal Grant
Vol. XIIII No. 4 Fall 2019
- OSU’s 2019 Mechanical Cultivation Workshop
- Sexing Chicks
- Dry Farming Project Update: Field days, flavor, and grower success create buzz in the media
- On-Farm Compost – Will It Work On My Farm?
- A New Tool Makes it Easy for Organic Farmers to Follow the NOP Guidance on Natural Resources and Biodiversity Conservation
- All The Farms: Old Issue, New Tool
Vol. XIII No. 1 Winter 2018
- Economic Impact of Local Food Producers in Central Oregon
- Western Washington and Oregon Pasture Management Calendar Debuts
- Update on the Produce Safety Rule From Oregon Department of Agriculture
- Headwaters Incubator Program – Cultivating Farms and Future Stewards No Small Task
- Connecting the Dots between Farm Succession and Land Preservation
- Apple Orchard Diversity: Every Weather Event Selects for Resilience
Vol. XIII No. 4 Fall 2018
- A Farmer Should Not Be In Regular Pain! A look at the risk of Musculoskeletal Disorders and how the science of ergonomics can help
- OSU Mechanical Cultivation Field Day a Major Success!
- Oregon Community Food Systems by the Numbers
- Grafting is a Biological Disease Management Strategy
- Communities, Food, and Resilience
- NMPAN turns 10!
Vol. XII No. 1 Winter 2017
- The 41st Issue
- Organic Farming Gets a Boost from New Partnership Between Oregon State University and Oregon Tilth with Launch of Organic Extension Program
- Breaking Down Beef with Retail Butchers and a Small Meat Processor
- OSU Central Analytical Laboratory
- Best Milking Practices for Small-Scale Dairies
- Oregon Community Food Systems Network Seeks New Partners
- Small Plant Operators Meet with USDA Officials at Gunthorp Farm
- Oregon Organic Coalition Bestows Awards for Excellence on Nine Oregon Individuals and Companies
Vol. XII No. 2 Spring 2017
- Taking the Research on the Road: The Future of Oregon’s Farmland
- Dry Farming Collaborative: Innovating and adapting to a changing climate
- Food Hubs and Wholesale Market Development
- Research on Essential Oils to Control Snails and Slugs
- Small Farms and a Regional Food Bank Grow Community Food Security
- New Report on Farmer Transition to Organic: Breaking New Ground: Farmer Perspective on Organic Transition
- Protect Oregon’s Brassica Crops: ODA’s black leg rules aim to control an outbreak
- Local Food Production and Sales Increase in the Rogue Valley
- How Has Cannabis Legalization Affected Small Farms so Far?
- Reflections of a SARE Fellow
- D.I.Y Farm Tools and Equipment
- GROW Healthy Kids and Communities - Reporting Back After 5 Years in Communities
Vol. XII No. 3 Summer 2017
- Agritourism Resources Available to Support Oregon Farmers and Ranchers
- Changing Lands, Changing Hands: Report From The National Conference
- Japanese Beetle: A Pest to Watch for in Oregon
- Lessons Learned in Local Meat Processing
- Veggie Rx in Oregon
- Reduce Weeds by Friending Grasses
- New Food Campus in Portland Provides Local Producers With New Opportunities
- Oregon Pasture Network
- USDA Economic Research Service Issues Report Land Use, Land Cover, and Pollinator Health: A Review and Trend Analysis
- CleBer LLC Introduces a Versatile New Tractor That is Not Just For Cultivation
Vol. XI No. 1 Winter 2016
- USDA Does Switcheroo with Grass Fed Label Standard
- Northwest Farm Credit’s New Programs for Beginning Farmers
- Croptime: Scheduling Vegetables with Degree-Day Models
- Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV) in Oregon
- Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV) What Is It?
- Jackson County’s Ban on Genetically Engineered Crops Will Stand
- Finger Lakes Meat Project: Bringing Back the Meat Locker
- Using Sacrifice Areas to Protect Pastures
- What Do You Need to Know About FDA’s New FSMA rules?
Vol. XI No. 2 Spring 2016
- The OSU Small Farms Conference: 16 Years & Breaking Records
- USFDA issues RFC in FR re BSAAO for FSMA PR
- Farmers Share Their Farm to School Experiences
- New Technology Available for CSA Farmers Funded by Western SARE
- National Animal Health Monitoring System and the 5 Q's
- Plant in a Box: A Solution for USDA-Inspected Poultry Processing?
- Local Foods and Farm Business Survival and Growth
- Scientists Urge New Model for Soil Carbon
- Brietenbush Farmer to Farmer: Ahas and Uh-oh!
- Field to Fork: An Agricultural Field Day
- Poultry Feed Trials at Berggren Demonstration Farm
Vol. X No. 1 Winter 2015
- How Human Values Affect Views on Genetically Engineered Crops
- Composting: Great promise that comes with challenges, is it a fit for your farm?
- Tasting Tables in the Gorge: Sourcing Local Produce for Schools
- Pigs: Home on the Range?
- Rogue Valley Grown: Local to Wholesale in Southern Oregon
- Hooping it up in Central Oregon
- Recipe to Market: Creating Your Own Food Business
- Livestock Producers and Climate Change
- A Year of Success
Vol. X No. 2 Spring 2015
- Building Soil: A Down-to-Earth-Approach
- 2015 OSU Small Farms Conference
- Farmers Share Valuable Insights at Northwest Farmer to Farmer Conference
- Oregon Community Food System Network
- Tips and Good Cultural Practices for Producing Healthy Transplants in the Greenhouse
- Successfully Navigating the First Ten Years
- Cracking the Cost Code
- Highlighting Farmers during Tasting Tables
- Growing Quinoa in the Willamette Valley
- Economics of Local Food: Strategies and Impact
Vol. X No. 3 Summer 2015
- Dry Farming Demonstration
- What Do We Know About Small Farms & Local Food Systems? Recent Research in Brief
- Rural Economic Development One Oven at a Time
- Biodegradable Mulch Update – New NOP Rule
- Oregon Grown Produce at a School Near You
- Ask a Veterinarian or Ask Social Media?
- New Report from Ecotrust Highlights Regional Food System Challenges and Opportunities
Vol. X No. 4 Fall 2015
- The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
- The First FSMA Rule is Finalized
- Internship Program Teaches Realities of Farming
- Southern Oregon Seed Growers Association Launches Education Network
- New Pest of Brassicas in Oregon: Cabbage Whitefly
- 4th Annual Small Farm School Recap
- SB/HB 341 - Limited Liability for Agritourism Providers
- What’s So Funny?
- Highlights from Closing the Hunger Gap
Vol. IX No. 2 Spring 2014
- Audacious Plan Launched to Provide More Small Farms Extension Positions
- New 1000ft2 Organic Fertilizer and Cover Crop Calculator Available
- Growing Local Food Businesses for Community Economic Development
- Center Participates in CFS Convening
- Selling Direct to SNAP Recipients: Strategies for Success
- Pregnancy Ketosis
- 15 Ways to Help Mitigate Drought on your Farm this Season and Beyond
- USDA Climate Risks in the Northwest Fact Sheet
- What’s up in the North Willamette Valley Small Farms Program this Season?
- Food Modernization Act Update
- New Network Launches For Transitioning Farmers
- Growing Pains to Gains in the Willamette Valley
Vol. IX No. 3 Summer 2014
- Audacious Plan Continues: Provide More Small Farms Extension Positions
- Common Misconceptions & Key Points About Dry Farming: Case Study of Dry Farmer With More Than 40 Years of Experience
- Food Safety Modernization Act Update
- Keeping Veterinary Expenses Low
- Mobile Poultry Processing: New Services in the Willamette Valley
- GROW Healthy Food Environments for Oregon's Rural Communities
- Relay Seeding Cover Crops in Fall and Winter Harvested Vegetables
Vol. IX No. 4 Fall 2014
- Postal Service Issues a Stamp to Commemorate Farmers Markets
- Cover Crop Establishment in Western Oregon Vegetables
- New USDA Local Food Directories Announced!
- Pasture Management: Fall Back to Spring Ahead
- Regional Conferences Nurture Regional Food Systems
- Crops That Don’t Require Irrigation (and big equipment)
Vol. VIII No. 1 Winter 2013
- Getting to Yes for Agritourism in Oregon
- Strengthening Agriculture’s Infrastructure: Notes from a WSARE Conference in Portland
- Pregnant Animal Care
- NRCS Helps Fund Seasonal High Tunnels
- Winter Farmscaping: Enhancing Riparian Vegetation along Ponds & Waterways
- Headwaters Farm Incubator Program: Cultivating the Next Generation of Farm Stewards
Vol. VIII No. 3 Summer 2013
- Don't Bring Surprises Home From the Fair
- First in Time, First in Right
- Resources for a Dry Summer
- Dry Farming Vegetables: One farmer’s approach to building soil, conserving water and producing great tasting tomatoes
- Composting at Winter Green Farm Improves Soil Health & Protects Water Quality
- What’s Holding Back Local Meat?
Vol. VII No. 2 Spring 2012
- Local Meat Producer Takes on Retail Meat Cutting
- The 2012 OSU Small Farms Retrospective
- The Small Farms Conference
- Oregon’s 1000 Bird Exemption: Rules & Best Practices
- Building Community Through Food & Partnerships: Gathering Together Farm, Part 1
- Meat Measles
- Ponding, Plugging, & Pugging: How to Care for Wet Spring Soils
Vol. VII No. 3 Summer 2012
- Old Mill Feed & Garden
- Genetically Modified Organisms Continue to Be a Controversial Topic in Agriculture
- The Annual NW Farmer to Farmer Exchange Turned Ten This Winter
- How Secure Is Your Farm?
- The Microbiology of Meat Processing: Learning Opportunity
- New Study Finds Grass-Fed Beef Reduces Carbon Footprint
- Small Acreage Landowners Get Clean Irrigation Water After Dispute Resolution
Vol. VII No. 4 Fall 2012
- A Glimpse of What We Do and Do Well
- Growing Farms: Successful Whole Farm Management Grows Farmers
- Growing Agripreneurs: Training the Next Generation of Farmers
- Local Meats and Marketing
- Oregon’s Women Farmer Networks: Support for Women, Success for Farms
- Enhancing Organic Agriculture in Oregon
- Growing Farms Online: Online Education for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers
- Nitrogen Management in Organic Vegetables: Work in Progress
- USDA Inspected Meat Processing Comes to NE Oregon
- Blazing a Trail with Whole Carcass Butchery Boulton & Son Opens
- Building Community Through Food & Partnerships: Gathering Together Farm, Part 2
- First Annual Small Farm School
- Accident at Lonesome Whistle Farm: Beans, Grains and Love
Vol. VI No. 2 Spring 2011
- Permaculture Opportunities for Small Farmers in the Willamette Valley
- Farm Profile: The Road From GateWay Farms to Little Farms, LLC
- Buying Whole Animals: Not Only Tasty but Thrifty?
- Pinning Maps Protect Vegetable Seed Quality in the Willamette Valley
- Organic Vegetable Growers Share Tricks of the Trade
Vol. VI No. 3 Summer 2011
- Agritourism Turned into Agri-education
- Grafting Vegetables - Is it worth the trouble? Many growers say yes
- New Poultry Processing Options in Oregon
- Growing Agripreneurs: A Farmer Incubator Program & Partnership
- Big Farms Are Becoming More Dominant
- Protecting Water Quality at Agricultural Composting Facilities
Vol. V No.2 Spring 2010
- Alternative Meat Marketing Strategies: Small Farms Conference Session
- Farm Profile: Walker Farms
- Oregon Country Trails are Blazing Opportunities for Rural Entrepreneurs
- Irrigation Management Basics
- Love’s Labors Lost: Small Ruminant Abortion Storms
- Living on a Few Acres: A Success
- Oregon Farmers, Ranchers Unite to Shape the Future of Agriculture
Vol. IV No.4 Fall 2009
- New Report From California Assesses Cost of Leafy Greens Food Safety Programs
- Meat & Poultry Buying at Farmers’ Markets
- Farm Profile: Conway Family Farm - Camas, WA
- A New Pest Attacking Healthy Ripening Fruit in Oregon
- Composting and Blueberry Production
- Cooperative Farm Education Program Takes Root in Southern Oregon
- Season Extension Using Mulches
- Herbicide Carryover in Hay, Manure, Compost, and Grass Clippings
Vol. III No. 3 Summer 2008
- Farm Profile: Blue Fox Farm
- It's the Time of Year...to Buy Hay
- Feeding Pastured Poultry
- For the Vegetable Farmer: Farmer's Market Displays & Attracting Customers
- A Key to Farmer's Success: Matching Market Size & Management Structure
- Carrot Rust Fly Biology & Management
- Potassium Deficiency: Listening to Your Ears of Corn
- Growers Harness Sun to Produce Row Crops
- Tube Feeding Neonatal Small Ruminants
- The Satisfying Sound of Clean Water
Vol II No. 3 (PDF) Fall 2007
- Farm Profile: Reill Farm of Lincoln City
- Fall Pasture Management: Plant, Root Growth, & Soil Fertility
- Function and Selection of Cover Crops
- Fresh Shell Bean and Dry Bean Variety Trial
- Small Ruminant Medication: How to Stay Within the Law
- Seasonal Changes Affect Poultry
- Forage Production Under Agroforestry Systems
- You've Grown it, Now What?