Oregon Climate and Agriculture Network

OrCAN is hiring for a Program Manager!
This position is responsible for management of OrCAN’s network development, collaborative projects, and communications.
For a description of the position and application instructions, see the job announcement on OrCAN’s website: https://www.oregonclimateag.org/our-team

Tips for caring for livestock in the heat

If you hang around farmers and ranchers long enough, you’ll realize the most frequent topic of conversation is the weather, particularly this time of year as our summers are becoming increasingly hotter and drier. In recognition of this, Oregon OSHA passed some new rules in 2022 to provide for health and safety measures related to heat and wildfire smoke for farmworkers. But it’s not just humans that are affected, our livestock need considerations, too, especially in areas that experience extreme heat or high levels of particulate matter from nearby fires.

Read more to learn some important tips to care for your livestock in high heat in the OPN’s Blog Post!

Get the direct link in our stories!

https://oregonpasturenetwork.org/blog/

Small Farm School is a full day of classes, hands-on workshops, and networking opportunities designed specifically for small-scale farmers and land stewards. Highlights of this year's program include a series of soil health classes and a special track for new farmers.

Registration for Small Farm School is open!
Visit our webpage: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/smallfarms/metro/small-farm-school
Be sure to register as soon as you can, in order to reserve a spot in all three of your preferred classes. If you sign up between August 1st and August 28th, you can save $20 in registration fees!
Scholarships are also available, check out our webpage to learn more.

The Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) will offer $2 million in emergency funding to ranchers and farmers affected by wildfires in Eastern Oregon. Ranchers in Baker, Crook, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Lake, Malheur, Morrow, Umatilla, and Wheeler counties will have until Sept. 9 to apply for the funds.

https://www.opb.org/article/2024/08/14/eastern-oregon-wildfires-agriculture-farmers-ranchers-usda/

This important project of our partners at OSU was highlighted on OPB’s Think Out Loud.

OSU Extension Service aims to help ranchers and farmers with climate stress, grief Drought, wildfire and extreme weather events can cause stress and feelings of uncertainty for many farmers and ranchers. We'll hear from an OSU associate professor to learn more about climate grief.

OrCAN is hiring for a Program Manager!
This position is responsible for management of OrCAN’s network development, collaborative projects, and communications.

For a description of the position and application instructions, see the job announcement on OrCAN’s website: https://www.oregonclimateag.org/our-team

"Oregon farmers and ranchers are increasingly dealing with severe droughts, wildfires, sweltering heat waves and pests that can all-together decimate entire fields. With stress and uncertainty about the future because of climate change, ... farmers are seeking ways to cope."

Climate change increasingly taking a toll on Oregon farmers, ranchers Oregon farmers are facing more severe droughts, wildfires and sweltering heat waves. With climate change adding to their burden, agriculture researchers say more farmers are seeking ways to cope and be more resilient.

We are thrilled to be one of Food & Farm Communications Fund’s 2024 Wildseeds Grantees! We are grateful for FFCF's support for OrCAN’s work to Honor Indigenous and Ancestral Soil Health Practices. We are joining a cohort of 17 grantee partners sharing our stories and solutions for climate, labor and land justice.

Check out this great opportunity!

"Ultimately, we need a collage of holistic solutions tailored to farms of all sizes to provide resources, funding and long-term support for regenerative agriculture."

We Need Regenerative Agriculture, But How Can Farmers Fund the Transition? - Modern Farmer “Of 400 farms in our county, only five are organic,” says Matt Fitzgerald of Fitzgerald Organics in Hutchinson, Minnesota. His 2,500-acre family farm is

🌿 Join us this Saturday, June 15th at Down To Earth in Eugene for their 47th Anniversary celebration supporting Oregon Climate and Agriculture Network (OrCAN)! 🌿

When: Saturday, June 15th, 11 am - 3 pm
Where: Down To Earth
532 Olive Street Eugene, OR 97401

Event Highlights:

🎉Exciting Drawings: Enter to win amazing prizes, including a Down To Earth gift card, gift basket, hat, or t-shirt!

🎉Visit our table in the nursery to learn about OrCAN's work to promote soil health across Oregon.

🎉5% of all sales that day will directly support OrCAN's initiatives!

🎉FREE Compost Talk: Join Rodney Bloom from 10 am - 11 am. With over 20 years of experience, Rodney is a leader in composting and sustainable practices. Learn from his expertise and discover how composting can benefit our environment.

Come support a great cause, deepen your knowledge, and enjoy a wonderful day with us at Down To Earth! 🌱

The Inflation Reduction Act is empowering farmers with additional tools they need to tackle climate change. OrCAN engaged on this effort urging Congress to protect federal funding for climate-smart agricultural programs.

“Farmers are increasingly choosing voluntary conservation programs to manage risk,” said Megan Kemple, the executive director of the Oregon Climate and Agriculture Network “They are taking responsibility and we need to make sure they can implement practices that make their farms resilient, not just this year, but for years to come.”

Southwest Washington farmers call on Congress to keep conservation funding in farm bill A group of Southwest Washington farmers say they’re dealing with more extreme heat, drought and intense storms. As federal legislators debate proposals for the 2024 farm bill, the group is calling on them to protect funding for conservation and climate resilience programs.

Black Food Sovereignty Coalition and Ecotrust are distributing microgrants from a total budget of $150,000, through a cooperative agreement with the USDA Farm Service Agency!

Applicants can apply for a one-time grant of $5,000. Grant applications must be submitted by May 31, 2024.

Eligibility criteria:
● Applicants must be stewarding land or ranching in the Portland Metro area (Oregon) or a selected urban area in Oregon and serving individuals or communities residing in the Portland Metro area. (See list of selected urban areas on the next page)
● Identify as a Black, Indigenous, or Person of Color (BIPOC) urban producer
● List of projected expenses (simple budget) for grant funds anticipated use
● Each farm business may only receive this microgrant once. Please ensure you apply at the time that is most beneficial to your farm business.
● Applicant must derive a portion of their income from their farm business

Apply at: https://form.jotform.com/241006558039050?utm_source=hootsuite&utm_medium=&utm_term=&utm_content=&utm_campaign=

Learn more: https://ecotrust.org/usda-fsa-urban-agriculture-cooperative-agreement/?utm_source=hootsuite&utm_medium=&utm_term=&utm_content=&utm_campaign=

Happy Earth Day!
Improving Soil Health is Climate Action!

Soil health is key to climate change mitigation and resilience! Not only does healthy soil sequester carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but it also boosts climate resilience by protecting our farms and food system from climate-related extreme weather events.

We’re thrilled to spotlight our generous business partners, as part of Earth Day Oregon: Organically Grown Company, Organic Valley and Brooks Wine.

Farms are vulnerable to worsening floods, droughts, and other disasters, but these risks can be managed through on-farm adoption of conservation practices as well as a robust farm safety net.

Crop insurance, and disaster assistance programs have become a driving force for climate change in agriculture. These subsidies reduce risks for industrial farms that use farming practices that erode soils, emit greenhouse gasses, and ultimately make those farms more vulnerable to droughts and floods. It’s risky for farmers and for our planet, and will only get worse.

Bipartisan farm bill negotiations have been stalled by an expensive proposal to take billions away from popular conservation programs to raise commodity subsidies.

Go to https://actnow.io/raSm1yQ to call your members of Congress and tell them that the next farm bill should invest in conservation programs that stop losses before they happen.

Oregon Climate and Agriculture Network's Carly Boyer will be presenting "Building a Soil Health Network" next week at the CONNECT+ Conference in Sunriver, Oregon. Visit us Tuesday, April 16th at 4pm in room Abbot 2!

A year ago, over 500 farmers and advocates marched on Washington to call for climate action in the farm bill. Today, we remind our allies in Congress to stay strong in support of climate-friendly conservation!

$1000 stipend available! American Farmland Trust is looking for an Oregon “soil health successful” farmer to feature in a soil health case study who:

+ Grows wheat, hay, &/or other small grains
+ Has adopted practices such as reduced tillage, no-till, cover crops, nutrient management, or diversified crop rotation for soil health
+ Has implemented practice(s) for 4-15 years
+ Has economic success stories to attribute to their soil health practices with data to validate
+ Is willing to provide field operation data reflecting before and after adopting the soil health practice(s)

To apply, please complete this survey: https://bit.ly/3JHoXfC or for more information email Lia Raz, Case Study Agronomist, American Farmland Trust at [email protected]

Check out AFT’s soil health case studies and learn more: https://bit.ly/3TdS6BO

NRCS CSP Info Session is tomorrow; there's still time to join! The registration link is below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMrf-mpqzotGNdsXa-JI-Vc910Ry74WS0n9?fbclid=IwAR3e14GNrCpZi_wWB6cG1ri21ZzLUYsf5krKJ-GnV6mk6TabwE9DAHBwStM #/registration

Photo credit: Jamie Thrower
https://www.facebook.com/jamie.thrower.13

Join OrCAN for this upcoming informational session:

NRCS Conservation Stewardship Program:

Info Session for Farmers and Ranchers
Online webinar: Wednesday February 7th at 2pm

Agricultural producers can now apply for 2024 Conservation Assistance from USDA NRCS, with the highest total funding available in history, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act. NRCS funding supports on-farm practices such as compost and mulch applications, planting hedgerows, cover cropping, prescribed grazing and more. There are new eligible practices and more money than ever is available in 2024 for the USDA NRCS Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) cost share program.

The CSP deadline is coming up March 29th, 2024.

OrCAN, NRCS and OSU Extension are partnering to bring you this informational webinar with everything farmers and ranchers need to know to get started on their CSP application. The session will include tailored information, project examples, and NRCS staff to answer questions.

Presenters:
Will Fett - Outreach Coordinator & Tribal Liaison, NRCS
Lynn Larsen - District Conservationist, NRCS

More about CSP:
+ For producers and forest managers
+ $29M in available funding
+ Includes technical and financial assistance
+ $4000 minimum annual payment for producers
+ Expanded conservation practices
+ Both land owners and lessors are encouraged to apply.

Registration link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMrf-mpqzotGNdsXa-JI-Vc910Ry74WS0n9 #/registration

Photo credit: Jamie Thrower
https://www.facebook.com/jamie.thrower.13

The Oregon Climate Action Commission approved the State's plan for the $10M Natural Working Lands Fund, providing financial incentives and technical assistance for natural climate solutions on farms, forests, wetlands and estuaries. We're excited that the state will be providing support for farmers and ranchers in adopting natural climate solutions, including soil health practices!

Oregon commission approves ‘carbon capture’ fund for state’s natural and working lands The Oregon Climate Action Commission approved $10 million in investments with the goal to reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions. The broader goal is to incentivize practices that capture and store carbon in the state’s natural and working lands.

Join OrCAN for this upcoming informational session:

NRCS Conservation Stewardship Program:

Info Session for Farmers and Ranchers
Online webinar: Wednesday February 7th at 2pm

Agricultural producers can now apply for 2024 Conservation Assistance from USDA NRCS, with the highest total funding available in history, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act. NRCS funding supports on-farm practices such as compost and mulch applications, planting hedgerows, cover cropping, prescribed grazing and more. There are new eligible practices and more money than ever is available in 2024 for the USDA NRCS Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) cost share program.

The CSP deadline is coming up March 29th, 2024.

OrCAN, NRCS and OSU Extension are partnering to bring you this informational webinar with everything farmers and ranchers need to know to get started on their CSP application. The session will include tailored information, project examples, and NRCS staff to answer questions.

Presenters:
Will Fett - Outreach Coordinator & Tribal Liaison, NRCS
Lynn Larsen - District Conservationist, NRCS

More about CSP:
+ For producers and forest managers
+ $29M in available funding
+ Includes technical and financial assistance
+ $4000 minimum annual payment for producers
+ Expanded conservation practices
+ Both land owners and lessors are encouraged to apply.

Registration link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMrf-mpqzotGNdsXa-JI-Vc910Ry74WS0n9 #/registration

Photo credit: Jamie Thrower
https://www.facebook.com/jamie.thrower.13

Join OrCAN for this upcoming informational session:

NRCS Conservation Stewardship Program:
Info Session for TA Providers

Online webinar: Wednesday January 24th at 2pm

Agricultural producers can now apply for 2024 Conservation Assistance from USDA NRCS, with the highest total funding available in history, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act. NRCS funding supports on-farm practices such as compost and mulch applications, planting hedgerows, cover cropping, prescribed grazing and more. There are new eligible practices and more money than ever is available in 2024 for the USDA NRCS Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) cost share program.

The CSP deadline is coming up March 29th, 2024. This is a good time for producers to take advantage of these programs.

OrCAN, NRCS and OSU Extension are partnering to bring you this informational webinar with everything technical assistance providers need to know to help farmers get started on their CSP application. The session will include tailored information, project examples, and NRCS staff to answer questions.

There will be a second session for farmers and ranchers in early February.

Presenters:
Will Fett - Outreach Coordinator & Tribal Liaison, NRCS
Misty Beals - Program Specialist, NRCS

Registration link here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYvfuGsqT0qG9L5iIIGG8EeUH90uo7AXuKO #/registration

Photo credit: Jamie Thrower
https://www.facebook.com/jamie.thrower.13

Our community partner, Friends of Family Farmers (FoFF) is conducting their biennial Family Farms Survey through March 15th. Your responses determine what legislation, community events, and programs FoFF will focus on to best serve Oregon's local food community. Whether you're a farmer, a local food lover, or an advocate…they want to hear from you! As a thank you, your name will be entered into a raffle to win some great prizes!

Here we are again - it’s SURVEY TIME! Every even numbered year, Friends of Family Farmers calls on our supporters to give us feedback on how our programming, advocacy, and services can better support Oregon’s small and medium socially and ecologically responsible farmers and the food systems they exist within. Our goal is always to be working on the most pressing and necessary issues for our farmers across the state, and we are proud to be an organization directed by farmers.

This survey is open to EVERYONE who supports the vision and mission of FoFF and “our” farmers. Whether you are a farmer, rancher, local food supporter or food system advocate/professional, your voice is valuable to us when we are prioritizing our efforts for the future. We have designed this survey to take you to the questions that most reflect your place in the food system based on your answers. All of our stakeholder questions lead to actions for our programming and policy work, so we value all of the responses to our survey.

You have the opportunity to engage in statewide efforts to make Oregon a leader in local food. A whole lot has changed since we launched our first Family Farms Survey back in spring of 2020, and getting feedback from farmers, ranchers, food system advocates and local food supporters is as important as ever! This info will be used to shape our legislative priorities and programs, and your voices are vital to helping Oregon’s farmers thrive in the future. The survey is available in English and Spanish and we will be accepting responses through March 15th.

Follow the link in our bio or stories to make your voice heard today!

OCFSN’s Farmer & Rancher Disaster Resilience Grant Program is now accepting applications from January 1, 2024 through March 1, 2024!

During the 2023 Oregon Legislative Session, $2.65 million was allocated to the Oregon Community Food Systems Network (OCFSN) for the Farmer & Rancher Disaster Resilience Grant Program. This essential and nationally unique funding will support Oregon’s small and underserved producers to be more resilient to climate impacts such as heat, smoke and drought.

GREAT NEWS! The applications are now open until March 1st! All application materials and grant program details can be found at https://ocfsn.org/disaster-resilience-grant and a Spanish version can be found at https://ocfsn.org/resiliencia-agricultore A program overview document can be found here.

Please share this low barrier to access this funding opportunity with your farmer networks!

The 2023 Climate Resilience Training recordings are now available on our YouTube channel. If you missed the whole webinar series or just a session, you can now easily jump back in where you left off. Please check it out and let us know what you think!

https://www.youtube.com/

Today is World Soil Day!

OrCAN envisions a future where healthy soils are the foundation of thriving food systems in Oregon–reconnecting healthy ecosystems, economies, and communities.

Support OrCAN’s work to promote soil health and climate resilience across Oregon by making a donation today, World Soil Day!

Donate via this link: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=XPQDAYC9GVP42

Congratuations Dr. Lauren Gwin!

Congratulations to Dr. Lauren Gwin, named the new director of the Center for Small Farms and Community Food Systems. 🎉

She has been at OSU since 2008 and helped to co-found the center in 2013. She leads a team of innovative programs and people that bring a broad range of expertise and experience to complex food systems challenges and opportunities.

https://agsci.oregonstate.edu/home/article/lauren-gwin-named-director-oregon-state-university%E2%80%99s-center-small-farms-and-community

Oregon State University Small Farms Program

Please join OrCAN's program manager, Carly Boyer, November 16th at 6:30PM at the upcoming "Fixing Food" documentary premiere and discussion panel, at the Art House theater in Eugene, Oregon.

FIXING FOOD tells stories of people who are working to lower our carbon footprint with impactful new ways to gather and prepare the food we need. The series looks at five important areas where we can make changes—farming in the ocean and the air, finding new food sources, learning from Indigenous agriculture, and rescuing the food we already have. Their stories challenge us all: If we change the way we eat, can we save our planet?

Panelists:
Jennifer Denton, Burrito Brigade
Melissa Fery, Oregon State University OSU Extension
Genevieve Shaack, Willamette Farm and Food Coalition
Shelley Schuler, Moondog's Farm & Lane County Bounty
Kara Smith, Food for Lane County
Carly Boyer, Oregon Climate and Agriculture Network