Oregon Hosts Multicultural Roundtable

Nearly 80 representatives of non-government organizations, universities, and state and federal agencies gathered in Hood River Oregon to take the first step toward creating a more integrated support system for disadvantaged, minority, immigrant and refugee farmers. The organizations represented education, advocacy, technical assistance, and loan programs. The Multicultural Farming Roundtable was organized by the Oregon State University Small Farms Program, Heifer International, the Washington State University Small Farms Program, and the USDA Risk Management Agency.

Farmers Jose Guzman of Guzman Orchards near Yakima and Tong Xiang who farms near Portland spoke about their backgrounds in Mexico and Laos and the challenges and successes of starting a commercial farming operation in the United States. Complicated paperwork through federal agencies and access to farmable land were high on their list of challenges.

Based on the most recent census of agriculture (2002), there are about 160,000 farmers in the U.S. who are African American, Asian, Hispanic or Latino, and Native American. Hispanic and Latino farmers are the fastest growing group, increasing by 50% between the 1997 and 2002 census. Because of language, cultural, and bureaucratic barriers, these farmers have typically been under-served by traditional agriculture service, research and outreach organizations. However, all farmers increase in average age, this sector of the farm population holds promise for the future of food production in the U.S.

Groups in attendance who currently serve or plan to increase service to these farmers included university faculty from Washington and Oregon State Universities, USDA agencies (FSA, NRCS, RMA), Heifer International, Mercy Corps Northwest, Adelante Mujeres, Ecumenical Ministries, Oregon Food Bank, Oregon Tilth, Oregon Friends of Family Farmers, the Washington Farm Bureau, Washington State Department of Agriculure, the New American Farming Association, and others.

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