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Public hearing notice regarding conservation easement updated date and time: October 25

EMSWCD helps protect farmland while supporting local farmers and growers operate sustainable businesses.

We partner with farmers to ensure land remains available for current and future generations of farmers in East Multnomah County and make land for farming more affordable. Our collaborations with existing farmers help unlock opportunities for the next generation of farmers to steward these special farm properties.

Bright blue skies over a pasture and hoop house.

Another “Forever Farm” in East Multnomah County.

Local farmland is vital to our community, economy, food systems, and environment. Farmers and growers fuel our rural economy, nourish people with fresh, locally grown food, and enable us to enjoy the vibrant rural landscapes that make Oregon special.

EMSWCD will hold a virtual public hearing on October 25, 2024 at 11 AM in connection with the acquisition of working farmland easements to create “Forever Farms” for properties located at: 1) 29425 SE Division Drive, Troutdale, OR 97060 AKA as tax parcel number 1S4E07AC -00100 and; 2) 29829 E Woodard Road, Gresham, OR 97080 AKA as tax parcel number 1N4E31DD -00800. These easements will ensure the agricultural resource values of these properties are protected in perpetuity. These particular transactions will additionally incorporate easement terms that guarantee the farm property remains affordable to and in the ownership of farmers.

Interested persons may submit written testimony prior to the hearing to Julie DiLeone at julie@emswcd.org, or may attend the hearing by joining the meeting via computer or smart phone at https://meet.goto.com/EastMultSWCD/emswcdpublichearing or by calling United States (Toll Free): 1 (571) 317-3112 with Access Code: 416-726-341.

Additional information on the working farmland easement may be obtained by contacting Julie DiLeone at julie@emswcd.org,

Meeting attendees requiring Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations should call (503)222-7645 x 100 ASAP. To better serve you, five (5) business days prior to the event is preferred.

Headwaters Farm Open House on September 17th

Learn about our farm business incubator!

We’re throwing open the barn doors to people interested in learning more about Headwaters Farm and business incubator.

Whether you are a farmer early on in your career looking for support to launch your business, or you’re thinking about farming in the future and are curious about the kinds of program available, this event is for you!

When: September 17^th, 2024
Where: Headwaters Farm
28600 SE Orient Dr.
Gresham, OR 97080

Join us for a fun, informative afternoon where you can:

Tour the 60-acre farm
Enjoy refreshments on us
Learn about the farm business incubator
Meet Headwaters farmers and staff

RSVP here for English
RSVP aqui para Espanol

Questions? Contact Rowan Steele:
rowan@emswcd.org, (503) 939-0314

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 →

Public hearing notice regarding conservation easement on July 3rd, 2024

EMSWCD’s working farmland protection program works to provide current and future generations of farmers with access to farmland in East Multnomah County and make land for farming more affordable. Our collaborations with existing farmers help unlock opportunities for the next generation of farmers to steward these special farm properties.

Local farmland is vital to our community, economy, food systems and environment. Farmland fuels our rural economy, nourishes people with fresh, locally grown food, and enables us to enjoy the vibrant rural landscapes that make Oregon special.

EMSWCD will hold a virtual public hearing on July 3^rd, 2024, at 1:00 PM in connection with the acquisition of a working farmland easement to encumber a property located at 33560 SE Carpenter Lane, Gresham, OR 97080 and identified as tax parcel number 1S4E21D -00500. This easement will ensure the agricultural resource values of the property are protected in perpetuity. This particular transaction will additionally incorporate easement terms that guarantee the farm property remains affordable to and in the ownership of farmers.

Interested persons may submit written testimony before the hearing to Matt Shipkey at matt@emswcd.org, or may attend the hearing by joining the meeting via computer or smart phone here or by calling United States (Toll Free): 1 (571) 317-3112 with Access Code: 416-726-341.

Additional information on the working farmland easement may be obtained by contacting Matt Shipkey, Land Legacy Program Manager at (503) 935 5374 or matt@emswcd.org.

Meeting attendees requiring Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations should call (503) 222-7645 x 100 ASAP. To better serve you, five (5) business days prior to the event is preferred.

Garlic Mustard Dumpster

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.

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

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 5^th, 2024. Please visit the job description page here to review the position and apply.

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