Author Archives: Heather

29 New Community Projects Awarded $1.3 Million in Funding

We’re thrilled to announce that 29 new projects have been awarded grants through EMSWCD’s Partners in Conservation (PIC) program—our largest investment yet, totaling more than $1.3 million. These funds will support local nonprofits and community organizations working to protect natural resources, grow healthy food, and build stronger, more equitable communities.

At EMSWCD, we believe supporting grassroots efforts is one of the most powerful ways to achieve long-lasting benefits to  and community impact. This year’s funded projects reflect that commitment. They focus on:

  • Healthy rivers and landscapes
  • Outdoor and environmental education
  • Sustainable agriculture and local food access
  • Equity and support for underserved communities, including Black, Indigenous, and people of color
  • Climate action and resilience

These projects are led by dedicated organizations working at the local level to make real change—whether that’s restoring habitats, teaching students about nature, or helping communities grow food in sustainable ways.

The 2025 PIC grants were approved by our Board of Directors in April, following a thoughtful review by a volunteer grant committee made up of community members. This year, we received 43 applications requesting over $2.4 million in total. We’re excited to share that eight of the 29 grant recipients are first-time grantees, a testament to growing awareness and outreach for the program. The average grant awarded was around $40,000.

We’re proud to fund projects that help reduce disparities and improve access to environmental and agricultural resources—especially in communities that have historically been left out. Many of the awarded organizations are designing projects that directly benefit underserved groups through inclusive partnerships and equity-centered practices.

Together, we’re investing in a healthier, more just future—one project at a time.

Want to see the full list of grantees or learn how your organization can apply in the future?

EMSWCD and Good Rain Farm partner on the protection of 14-acre Forever Farm

Good Rain Farm and East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District (EMSWCD) have teamed up to create a 14-acre “Forever Farm” in Troutdale. EMSWCD helped facilitate the purchase by Good Rain Farm and added a working farmland easement which ensures the farm will always remain in active farm use, even if the property is sold to a different owner in the future. The easement ensures the farm remains in the ownership of farmers and is affordable to future farmers.

A man with dark hair and glasses stands next to a woman with long brown hair. They are holding up some papers and smiling.

Protecting Good Rain Farm gets big smiles from buyer Michelle Week and Matt Shipkey, the District’s Land Legacy Program Manager

Michelle Week has spent the past five years participating in EMSWCD’s Headwaters Farm Business Incubator Program. The program makes land and equipment more affordable for experienced farmers with limited resources. The 60-acre Headwaters Farm is located near Gresham. The site includes 15 acres along the North Fork of Johnson Creek the district is actively restoring to improve water quality and fish and wildlife habitat.

Good Rain x̌ast sq̓it (hast squeit) translates to Good Rain in the traditional language of the sngaytskstx (Sinixt) the Arrow Lakes Peoples. Farm Founder Michelle Week is of Sinixt ancestry. Weeks believes that through connection to a place we can rebuild a culture of respect, honor, gratitude and reciprocity. Learn more: https://www.goodrainfarm.com/

“Our Working Farmland Protection Program helps protect farmland and supports local farmers and growers to operate sustainable businesses,” explains Kelley Beamer, Executive Director of EMSWCD. “As farmland acreage becomes scarcer and more expensive, we work to preserve farmland and make it more affordable for future generations of farmers.”

Michelle Week holds food sovereignty, empowerment, concern for community and honorable stewardship of the land as the farm’s founding principles. Says Week, “At x̌ast sq̓it Farm we explore our relationship with this land, we decolonize and question our notions of ‘food” and ‘nourishment’. We begin conversation, build awareness, and look forward to a Good Rain that will feed our ecosystems, community and self.”

The Northwest Native Chamber also provided funding for this farmland access project. “Investing in assets, such as farmland or property, is a critical step for Native enterprises to improve long-term access to capital. For many Native-led businesses and communities, the lack of intergenerational wealth — a common barrier due to historical dispossession and systemic inequities—makes such investments essential for creating and sustaining economic opportunities. By securing tangible assets, we assist Native entrepreneurs to build lasting economic resilience, access better financing options, and establish businesses that can thrive for generations. Read more →

Remembering our former Director Bob Sallinger

The staff and board of EMSWCD were heartbroken to learn about the unexpected death of Bob Sallinger, a former board member of the District and Executive Director for Willamette Riverkeeper.  Our hearts go out to his beloved family – his wife Elisabeth and three children. His loss is devastating. He will be sorely missed.

Bob Sallinger faces into the camera. He wears a grey, bushy beard and long hair with a light green ballcap. He sits behind a spotting scoper.

Bob Sallinger was a fierce and effective advocate for urban conservation. Photo credit Vince Patton, OPB

For decades Bob was a fierce, relentless, and passionate champion for Oregon’s most precious places – our forests, rivers, and coastlines – and the birds and animals living in them. He was in the vanguard of a movement that recognized the importance of urban conservation and fought to protect and enhance our connection to nature even in the most developed parts of Portland. Bob was twice elected to our Board of Directors, in 2008 and 2012, and served until 2016.

His legacy in this single role was immense, and we are grateful for Bob’s vision which led to some of our district’s most important decisions and impactful programs including our commitment to racial equity and urban conservation. He was the driver in establishing the district’s community grant programs – under which we’ve invested more than $12 million in nearly 200 nonprofit organizations through our Partners in Conservation grants. Bob fought to ensure that a portion of the District’s Land Conservation Fund could be used to protect local natural areas and create access for people living in district areas with the fewest parks and greenspaces. Nadaka Nature Park, Grant Butte, and the natural area portion of Colwood Golf Course acquisitions wouldn’t be the same without his advocacy. His support was also critical in securing EMSWCD emergency funding for Outdoor School until, in 2016, voters approved statewide support of this cornerstone Oregon program.

At our board meeting last night his former colleagues, Directors Mike Guebert and Laura Masterson, both spoke about Bob’s influence on them and what they learned from Bob about being effective board members. “He was a dedicated steward of public resources and public funds,” said Guebert.  Board Chair Jasmine Zimmer-Stucky added, “Bob was one of the most interesting and well-rounded people I’ve ever met. Someone so committed to the community, hearing the voices of the people impacted, navigating city hall to navigating the bridges of Portland to rescuing Peregrine Falcons. He didn’t take people for granted.”

Bob’s contributions and advocacy made a huge difference in the district’s investments and direction and will hopefully inspire others to continue his legacy long into the future. “Those are huge shoes to fill. So much appreciation for him,” concluded Masterson.

Thinking about Retiring From Your Agricultural or Forestry Operation?

Thinking about the future can feel overwhelming, but planning ahead helps make sure your hard work continues to support future generations and the agricultural community. If you own a farm, ranch, or forest, we have a free five-part video series to help you get started on the right track.

A tractor tills the soil between rows of vegetable crops. In the distance, blue skies over foothills and evergreen trees.Transition Planning for Farmers, Ranchers, and Foresters is a video series that introduces planning for the future of your operation. This is just the beginning—creating a transition plan takes time and effort.  But with the right resources, whether you take a detailed class or hire a consultant, you can feel confident knowing you have a plan in place.

Our video series covers different transition options, like keeping ownership for a while or selling or gifting parts of your property.  As you watch, you’ll use worksheets to help you think about your values and goals. You will also identify strengths in your business and build a team of experts and loved ones to help make this transition a success.

Following these steps will give you a solid foundation to keep moving forward with this important part of your future. While it may be challenging, completing a plan will provide you with peace of mind and a clear path ahead.

New $1,000 Incentive!

Watch the video series at your own pace. The first three folks to complete the series will receive up to $1,000 in services from Oregon Agricultural Trust’s farm transition advising program.

You can watch the video series at your own pace. Find the links to each video here.

This series was created with funding support from the Clackamas, Tualatin, and East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation Districts, your local conservation experts.

Are you a farmer or landowner interested in learning more? Contact Matt Shipkey at (503) 935-5374 or matt@emswcd.org.

Exciting farm purchase opportunity in Corbett, Oregon

Arial view of farm land, three large areas with tidy rows of light green crops. Forest and mountains in the background.

45-acre property for sale in Corbett has a long history of commercial vegetable production.

A great farm property for purchase at a discounted price; the property listing can be found here. The 45.88-acre property has great farm soils with a fully certificated surface water right to 37 acres and public water available to the site’s remainder. Offers are being accepted through November 6th.

The property has an older barn structure and some existing farm roads but limited other farm infrastructure and no residence. It will be sold subject to a working farmland easement, which will result in a reduced list price of $650,000. The sale price is discounted to reflect the value of that easement. All inquiries should be directed to the listing brokers, Chris Kelly and Jamey Nedelisky of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices NW Real Estate at (503) 666-4616.

Online Info Session

We held an online information session about our goals for this property, the eligibility requirements, and how offers will be evaluated.

Information session presentation 

Questions and Answers notes

Our Working Farmland Protection Program provides current and future generations of farmers with access to farmland in East Multnomah County and is helping make land for farming more affordable. One way we do this is by buying farm properties with no clear succession plan – like this property – and then reselling them to farmers at a discount. This property will be sold with a working farmland easement significantly reducing the list price. The easement will ensure the farm remains in farmer ownership, continues to be actively farmed, and remains affordable to future generations of farmers.

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

We listened to farmers and made some changes to our working farmland program 

a tractor in near-silhouette against a dramatically lit sky with dust glowing in the setting sunlight. The tractor is next to a structure on the right, and a farm field and distant trees are visible to the left

Ensuring a future for agriculture in East Multnomah County.

EMSWCD is working to ensure a future for agriculture in East Multnomah County. Our farming community has let us know farmland is getting harder and more expensive to access. We have been responding to that challenge by working with local landowners to protect farmland for current and future generations of farmers. Farmers can also receive financial support and technical assistance from us to plan for the future – whether that’s continuing to farm, passing a farm to the next generation, or selling it to another farmer.

2023 Survey of Potential Participants
Recently, our “Forever Farm” program got some updates with input gathered from one-on-one interviews with more than 30 local farmers and landowners in our district. We engaged Stamberger Consulting to help us understand how to improve our working farmland protection efforts. 

Based on what we heard, we made some changes:

  1. Removed the requirement for agricultural management plans for new working farmland protection easements
  2. Revised our approach to working farmland easements on commercial nursery operations. Whereas previously we would not acquire working farmland easements on properties with active “ball and burlap” operations, we will now do so
  3. Making working farmland easement purchase offer amounts more financially attractive

In addition to collecting valuable information and insights, the survey project helped us connect with farmers in the district. It has helped us build interest and increase peer-to-peer referrals. New project leads were generated through the survey outreach. Read more →

What does $1M buy today? 26 new Partners in Conservation projects

Supporting community efforts is the key to meeting our mission. At EMSWCD, we are investing in local efforts that underscore the importance of healthy rivers, outdoor and environmental education, local food production using sustainable practices, and resource access for underserved, lower-income, and/or Black, Indigenous and people of color. Many of these projects also further critical climate action. By providing $1,050,000 million in Partners in Conservation (PIC) grants to non-profits and community-based organizations, EMSWCD is empowering our local communities to self-organize for a brighter future.

In May our Board of Directors approved funding for 26 PIC grant proposals recommended by a community review committee. These grants further agricultural development, bridge economic disparities, provide youth and adult education, and restore our natural resources and environment. Organizations are addressing community disparities and advancing equity by creating benefits for underserved communities through project design, partnerships and organizational practices. See the full list of PIC 2024 grantees here.

This year’s PIC Grant Review Committee reviewed 48 grant applications requesting more than $2.3 million in funding. Outreach for our program is growing, with 12 first-time applicants receiving grants this year with an average grant of $40,000. Learn more about the committee members who helped review and recommend grants here.

Together we’ve invested more than $12 million in 175+ 2024 Partners in Conservation Grants to organizations that help advance our mission. Find out if your organization might be eligible and find support for your community project. Learn more.

EMSWCD has a new Executive Director!

Photo headshot of Kelley Beamer

We are thrilled to announce the selection by the Board of Directors of our new Executive Director, Kelley Beamer!

Kelley Beamer served as the Executive Director at the Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts (COLT) for more than 10 years and will bring to East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District (EMSWCD) her experience in forging partnerships with diverse communities and advancing land conservation to protect farm and forest lands.

“We are excited to welcome Kelley as our new Executive Director,” says Jasmine Zimmer-Stucky, EMSWCD Board Chair. “Her passion for place-based conservation aligns beautifully with the Board’s recently adopted Strategic Plan. Kelley will bring experience, great communication skills, and time-tested partnerships to the organization. We feel very fortunate to have found a home-grown leader who has worked with urban and rural communities across the state and in our district.” Read more →