Category Archives: Archive

NRCS Local Work Group Meeting on February 29th

NRCS’s Local Work Group Meeting has been scheduled and your participation is requested!

Agricultural producers – farmers, ranchers, foresters, nursery growers and other land managers- in Clackamas and Multnomah Counties are encouraged to attend. The meeting is being offered in a hybrid format (virtual and in person) and registration is required for either option, details below.

What is a Local Work Group Meeting?

Each year, local NRCS field offices around the state hold a Local Work Group Meeting. These meetings provide an opportunity for NRCS staff to hear from the people they serve in their communities. Local landowners and conservation partners know first-hand about the natural resource needs in their area. This locally-led process helps inform conservation priorities and strategies across Oregon. Learn more here.

Feedback provided by growers will enable NRCS to update the county Long Range Plan and develops new Conservation Implementation Strategies to address identified resource concerns.  Read more

OSU Field to Market classes

Check out these upcoming Farm to Market Classes from OSU Extension! From the OSU page:

Oregon’s Farm direct Marketing Law (ORFDML) allows small farmers and aspiring food entrepreneurs to produce certain low-risk, value-added products from the produce that they grow and sell them directly to the consumer without having to obtain a processing license. The law was passed in 2011 and amended in 2023 to include new products, new sales channels, and a raised sales limit.

The passage of the updated law has prompted new interest among those who want to take advantage of the new opportunities. Those who attend this interactive workshop will be able to:

  • Interpret and apply the new guidance to a potential product
  • Design a sample label
  • Practice taking pH meter readings of acidified food samples
  • Share best practices to ensure that products are produced in a clean, healthful and sanitary manner
  • Ask questions of a farmer panel

Read more

We are hiring for a Community Outreach and Engagement Communications Assistant

photo of the EMSWCD office sign with logo mounted on a board, framed by oceanspray bushes behind the sign

East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District is seeking an effective communicator who is passionate about engaging diverse communities in climate action and conservation! The Community Outreach and Engagement Communications Assistant will help to support the organization’s communications, grow our digital marketing efforts, and help implement community engagement projects. The ideal candidate is motivated to help advance our strategic priorities of soil health, water quality, equity and climate action.

This position is offered within the Community Outreach and Engagement program of the organization with pay commensurate with experience. Applications are due on February 5th, 2024. Please visit the job description page here to review the position and apply.

We are hiring for a Rural Lands Conservation Technician/Specialist

photo of the EMSWCD office sign with logo mounted on a board, framed by oceanspray bushes behind the sign

East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District is seeking a career and conservation minded individual to execute conservation projects related to habitat restoration, invasive plant species control, and to provide guidance related to such projects to a diverse audience. The work includes outreach to landowners, identification and mapping of noxious weed species, as well as performing control work in the Columbia River Gorge and Sandy River watershed.

We at EMSWCD believe we are stronger together, and actively work to build a diverse, connected, and healthy staff and community. We are seeking someone to join our work family who is passionate and motivated to help create the biggest impact that they can concerning the environmental and global issues facing our natural resources.

This position is offered within the Rural Lands program of the organization at either the technician or specialist level with pay commensurate with experience. Applications are due on January 22nd, 2024. Please visit the job description page here to review the position and apply.

Mt. Hood Community College Volunteer Planting Day

Join us for a morning of fun and community at the Mt. Hood Community College Volunteer Planting on Wednesday, December 13th at 10:00 AM!

We are planting a variety of trees to help manage stormwater, reduce summer heat, improve habitat, and beautify the campus.

Planting Event Details:
12/13 Wednesday 10 am Tree Planting, we hope to be done by noon, but it’s okay if you need to leave before that. Children are welcome to attend with an adult.

Meet in the Q parking lot- towards the bottom of the building 17th Street entrance of campus (see the area is circled in red on the map).

What to Wear and Bring:
Please wear clothes that are appropriate for the weather and can get dirty (we love layers!), along with closed-toe shoes/boots that will be comfortable on uneven terrain. If you have a favorite pair of work gloves, bring them but we will have some for you to use as well. If you have one, please bring a water bottle – save plastic!

Sign up below for the tree planting Wednesday, December 13th at 10:00 AM!
Read more

NRCS grant info sessions for farmers

crop rows with bare soil in a farm field

Join either of two upcoming info sessions to find out if NRCS grants are right for you! There will be an in-person info session at Tastebud Pizza and on online Zoom info session two days later. These sessions will cover both EQIP and CSP grant programs. The EQIP deadline is coming up on November 17th.

  • In-person info session – Tuesday, November 7th at 6:30 PM
    Guest farmer: David Wills-Ehlers of Zephyr Organics
    NRCS Conservationist: Stephanie Payne
    Tastebud Pizza
    7783 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland
    Register here by November 6th
  • Zoom info session – Thursday, November 9th at 12:00 PM
    Guest farmers: Lili Tova of Flying Coyote Farm
    & David Wills-Ehlers of Zephyr Organics
    NRCS Conservationist: Stephanie Payne
    Register here

A collaboration of USDA NRCS, OSU Extension and Pacific Northwest Community Supported Agriculture.

Free farm succession workshop on October 26th

sunset over distant hills and trees, and in the foreground are crops with a line of sprinklers running

Sunset over a field of crops

Have you secured your farm’s future? We can help! Join us for a free farm succession planning workshop and lunch Thursday, October 26th, 2023 at the Multnomah Grange (30639 SE Bluff Road, Gresham, OR 97080). Check-in starts at 9:00 AM and the program runs from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM.

RSVP here! RSVP required by October 18th.

Questions? Contact Andrea Krahmer at (503) 789-2467 or Andrea@oregonagtrust.org


Brought to you by East Multnomah and Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Oregon Agricultural Trust, and Oregon Small Business Development Center.

Headwaters Farm Open House

Image of indoor farm

Please join us at the Headwaters Farm Business Incubator open house!

Date: Tues, Oct 10th
Time: 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Location:
Headwaters Farm
28600 SE Orient Dr.
Gresham, Or 97080

We’re throwing open the barn doors to give our farm friends & agricultural community an inside look at the Headwaters property.

  • Tour the farm
  • See firsthand the resources Headwaters offers farmers
  • Meet past and present farmers and Headwaters staff
  • Enjoy refreshments on us

Read more

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