Author Archives: Alex

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Woodard Road Farm to be sold and permanently protected

photo of Woodard Road farm property, with a greenhouse, gravel road, and distant field and trees visible

EMSWCD is excited to announce the availability for purchase of a great farm property at a discounted price for a farmer with an active farming operation. All interested parties should direct inquiries to EMSWCD’s brokers, Chris Kelly and Jamey Nedelisky of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices NW Real Estate at (503) 666-4616. The transaction is not expected to close until late 2024 or early 2025 as it will continue in the ownership of the present owners until that time.

EMSWCD operates a Working Farmland Protection Program, which works to ensure that farmland remains available for current and future generations of farmers. One way we make this happen is by buying farm properties that are at risk of conversion to non-farm uses – like this property – and then reselling to farmers subject to a working farmland easement. The working farmland easement will ensure the farm remains in farmer ownership, continues to be actively farmed, remains affordable to future generations of farmers and that the soil resources on site are protected.

The sale proceeds will be used by EMSWCD to protect additional working farm properties to help ensure farmers continue to have access to high-quality affordable farmland in our district.

Garlic Mustard Dumpster

a field of invasive garlic mustard is flowering

EMSWCD is once again providing a dumpster for disposing of pulled and bagged garlic mustard. The dumpster is located on the Historic Highway, in front of the ball field across the street from the Corbett Water District.

The dumpster is marked clearly as GARLIC MUSTARD DUMPSTER. A tracking sheet is located below the dumpster – please fill out all of the information requested on the sheet so we can track how much time was spent pulling garlic mustard and where it came from. A dumpster will be provided each spring to help the community dispose of garlic mustard.

We are also allowing residents to dispose of tansy ragwort in this dumpster. Please only use this dumpster to dispose of garlic mustard and tansy!

Have any questions? Send an email to Chris    Learn more about pulling invasive garlic mustard

 

Remember: Re-visit pulled sites frequently to make sure no new garlic mustard plants grow and go to seed.
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Upcoming EMSWCD Board and Committee Meetings

The East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District (EMSWCD), serving all of Multnomah County east of the Willamette River, has scheduled Board and Committee meetings for the months of April through July 2024.

Visit this page to see a calendar of upcoming meetings.

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.

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