Published Fall 2022
With leadership from Our Family Farms, Oregon Climate & Agriculture Network, Friends of Family Farmers, High Desert Food & Farm Alliance and many others, the Oregon Community Food Systems Network (OCFSN) distributed nearly $1.5 million of state funding in 2022 through the Farmer & Rancher Disaster Relief Grant Program. 104 producers from all around Oregon received financial support for losses incurred from natural disasters in 2021. Losses were caused by a variety of challenges, including crop damage from heat waves, loss of sales due to farmers market closures because of extreme heat or wildfire smoke, early irrigation shut offs due to drought, ice storm damage, greenhouse
damage from snow, and evacuating livestock to protect them from fires. Oregon producers are on the front lines of climate change. Testimonials from producers who received funding highlighted how crucial this type of direct, accessible support was for them to continue farming in an unpredictable, rapidly changing climate. This is even worse for producers who are unable to access standard disaster relief programs, at the federal or state level.
One grantee shared the value of the program. “The last 2 years have seen us bounce from one seemingly insurmountable challenge to the next, constantly operating in damage control mode. It is such a relief to finally have a little help, and so encouraging to our small family farm to know that there are people out there working and advocating on our behalf. Thank You.” OCFSN members and partners are committed to supporting Oregon producers to recover and
become more resilient to climate change impacts. Through our Farming for the Future Working Group and Climate Resilience & Stewardship Subgroup, OCFSN brings people together to discuss these big challenges, work on climate and agriculture solutions projects, and advocate for change.