Published in Fall 2023
By: Oregon Community Food Systems Network: Shin Lee & Andrew CollinsAnderson; Oregon Farmers Market Assocation: Ashely Hess & Friends of Family Farmers: Alice Morrison, Co-Director
There were wins and losses for Oregon food systems at the wrap up of the rollercoaster 2023 Oregon Legislative Session. In the final weeks of the session, the Oregon Legislature did invest in more resilient local food production and distribution through several funding allocations for disaster resilience granting programs. These grants include $2.65 million for farmer and rancher disaster resilience grants and $1.5 million for food hub infrastructure grants administered by the Oregon Community Food Systems Network (OCFSN). The Oregon Farmers Market Association (OFMA) was also awarded $2.5 million for grants for farmers market disaster resilience, accessibility improvements and SNAP technical assistance and equipment.
“Oregon’s small and underserved farmers and ranchers face the worst of climate impacts as they work daily to provide quality and affordable food for our communities. These farmer resilience grants will help producers face impacts to their operations caused by heat, drought, smoke, and wildfire by helping them proactively prepare for these compounding challenges.” Andrew Collins-Anderson, OCFSN Farming for the Future Working Group coordinator.
“This project will build local economies and disaster resilience by investing in Oregon Food Hubs and regional food system infrastructure. Hard assets funded by this project will expand and improve on regional cold storage, dry food storage, and transportation capacities by leveraging the expertise and services of existing networks and partners throughout the state. Increased system capacity improves regional disaster resilience while simultaneously building and developing regional markets.” Sydney DeLuna, OCFSN Food Hub Network Coordinator.
“Oregon’s farmers markets are economic powerhouses, drawing millions of visitors annually, supporting more than 5,500 small, Oregon-based businesses. They generate nearly $60 million in revenue and infuse their communities with economic stability. The state’s investment will bolster farmers markets’ impacts and strengthen their vital role of sustaining small business and communities alike. When our small businesses thrive and our communities get this kind of support, we all benefit. By proactively and collectively preparing for climate challenges, OFMA and our partners are optimistic that our farmers markets will endure to provide fresh, wholesome and affordable food to their communities.” Ashley Hess, Executive Director of OFMA.
“This funding represents a collaborative effort to help our state’s small and midsize, highly diversified and local market farmers adapt to the ongoing effects of the climate crisis. We are so proud to be a part of this coalition of forward thinking food system advocates, farmers, and policy makers who made this happen. Oregon is so lucky to still have a thriving small scale farming community and we think it is high time that the state invested in its future. Our farmers are on the front lines of climate change and this funding helps those who need it most.” Alice Morrison, Co-Executive Director of Friends of Family Farmers (FoFF).
This nationally unique funding ensures Oregon’s regional food systems and local producers will be more resilient to climate impacts such as heat, smoke and drought. This funding is one element of the Legislature’s multifaceted efforts to meet the challenges of the climate crisis.
This funding was initially included in the expansive Bipartisan Drought Relief and Water Security Package (BiDRAWS) and was advocated for by a broad crosssection of OCFSN members. Late in the session, the funding was moved to the Christmas Tree Bill (Senate Bill 5506) and passed at the end of session.
The farmer and rancher resilience grants program builds off the successful OCFSN 2022 Farmer and Rancher Disaster Relief Program. Program managers are in the initial stages of this year’s program development and are working with a farmer and expert advisory committee to ensure these funds meet the community’s needs. Details on eligibility and how to apply will be released fall/winter 2023.
The partners would like to thank the people who testified and worked tirelessly to ensure this funding was a priority this legislative session. Friends of Family Farmers were outstanding advocates for this funding throughout the session, and worked with Oregon Climate and Agriculture Network and OCFSN to formulate the Disaster Resilience Grant Program. The Food Hub Infrastructure funding was developed from the work of the OCFSN Food Hub Network. A significant thank you is also due to Representative Helm and his team for championing this funding and for working closely with partners to steward this through the rocky 2023 Legislative Session.