Published Summer 2022
By: Andrew Collins-Anderson, OCFSN Farming for the Future Working Group Coordinator
Oregon is blessed with a diversity and abundance of crop systems, regions, and dedicated organizations that support producers, enhance food distribution, and expand equitable food access. These folks could easily work separately in their silos, but the Oregon Community Food Systems Network (OCFSN) connects and enhances innovative work across the food system. Please learn more about the network! OCFSN was founded in 2015 by 34 member organizations (including the OSU Center for Small Farms & Community Food Systems), and has deepened relationships and partnerships across Oregon’s food system with profound results. OCFSN members have increased SNAP match dollars at farmers markets, expanded VeggieRX programs across the state, developed innovative programming to support and train beginning farmers and ranchers while helping them access farmland, and launched a partnership of local food hubs around the state. With a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion this collaborative work facilitated by the OCFSN community is vital to Oregon’s thriving local food system.
Now with nearly 60 membership organizations, OCFSN is taking the next steps to grow this work. It applied for 501c(3) nonprofit status and hired its first two paid staff members (Shin Lee- Network Coordinator and Andrew Collins-Anderson - Farming for the Future Working Group Coordinator). OCFSN’s six active working groups are focused on issues of diversity, equity, & inclusion; climate resilience; food hub development; agriculture policy; beginning farmer & rancher support; increasing farmer land access; and expanded food access. This year marks the expansion of engagement and partnership opportunities across OCFSN to build a resilient food system, support producers, and increase resources for member organizations and partners.
Farming for the Future
In 2021, OCFSN’s Beginning Farmer & Rancher and Land Access & Technical Assistance working groups combined into the new and exciting Farming for the Future (F4tF) Working Group. The F4tF Working Group brings agricultural technical assistance providers, agency staff, producers, and other nonprofits together to expand and improve programming and resources for Oregon’s sustainable and community focused food producers. The F4tF Working Group has four subgroups: Beginning Farmer & Rancher; Land Access, Connection, and Succession Technical Assistance; Farm & Land Viability; and Climate Resilience & Stewardship. They each focus on supporting different stages of new and established producers’ thriving enterprises. Some successful F4tF projects include the Beginning Farmer & Rancher Subgroup’s USDA funded story map that gives producers details on the many different service providers and what they offer across Oregon. The Land Access Technical Assistance Subgroup has requested USDA funding this year to expand region focused support for beginning farmers and ranchers looking for land. If funded this project would build on the great work of the the Friends of Family Farmer’s Oregon Farm Link Program and Rogue Farm Corps’ Changing Hands Program and would provide region specific technical assistance to expand access to farmland for marginalized farmers & ranchers. Each subgroup has exciting new projects to bring resources and support to Oregon’s sustainable and community focused producers.
Disaster Assistance Program
In December 2021, the Oregon Legislature allocated funding for the Oregon Disaster Assistance Program (ODAP), for Oregon farmers and ranchers to cover 2021 losses to crops, livestock, equipment and/or infrastructure due to natural disasters. To cover farmers that would not be eligible for or who cannot feasibly apply for the ODAP, a coalition of organizations including OCFSN Climate Resilience & Stewardship subgroup members and Our Family Farms worked with the Legislature to create a $1.5 million disaster assistance grant program. This Disaster Relief Fund has provided direct financial support in the form of grants to small-scale farmers and ranchers impacted by natural disasters, who were not able to access federal disaster relief funds and/or the State’s Forgivable Disaster Loan Program. The third and final round of OCFSN disaster relief funding closes on July 4th. If you are or know a producer in Oregon that experienced losses from natural disasters in 2021, we encourage you to review the eligibility requirements and apply for support. Contact OCFSN if you have questions.
Working Towards a Transformed Food System
OCFSN is supporting leadership and innovation across Oregon’s food system. As the USDA stated in the recent Framework for Transforming the Food System, “we must build back better and strengthen the food system across the supply chain, from how our food is produced to how it is purchased, and all the steps in between.” As economic uncertainties and climate change continue to impact our communities and food systems, OCFSN offers a collaborative space to
increase just food access while creating vibrant and diverse farm and ranch enterprises. As federal funds are invested to transform the US food system, we need to work together to ensure Oregon is an innovative leader in a transformed food system.
Now is the time to connect with OCFSN and join this interconnected web of producers, organizations, and individuals working for a more just and sustainable food system in Oregon.