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. XVIII No. 1 Winter 2023
In this issue:
- 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. 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
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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?