updated January 15th, 2020
We have had a few questions about inclement weather, including possible snow on the horizon this week! Most EMSWCD workshops are currently set to remain open during inclement weather, unless otherwise noted. Update: the Farm Succession workshop set for today, January 15th has been postponed to March 11th. If any other workshops are cancelled or postponed, we will notify all registrants by email.
You can register for any of our workshops here!
“The farm succession planning workshop series helped us create an important road map for the future of our family farm.”
-The Sturm family, 2019 Farm Succession Planning Workshop participants.
EMSWCD is excited to once again offer a free farm succession planning workshop series for District farmers(the EMSWCD service area consists of all Multnomah County east of the Willamette River). Taught by a leading national expert, the workshop series will offer strategies to transition the farm and farm business, tax planning and so much more. One-on-one personalized counseling is also offered at no cost. The workshop will take place at the Multnomah Grange (30639 SE Bluff Road, Boring) on January 29th, February 12th and February 26th, and on March 11th from 1 – 4 pm, with a complimentary lunch at 12:30 PM.
Registration is required and space is limited – RSVP with Kathryn Nishimoto at (503) 594-0738 or kathykb@clackamas.edu.
EMSWCD has put a farm property currently in its ownership up for sale. The listing for the property can be found here. All interested parties should direct inquiries to EMSWCD’s broker, Chris Kelly of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices NW Real Estate at (503) 666-4616.
EMSWCD acquired the property in 2018, when it was listed for sale. At the time EMSWCD was concerned that a sale could result in the local farming community losing access to one of the more productive farms within our District. To help prevent this outcome, EMSWCD and the farmer/owner entered into a partnership whereby EMSWCD purchased the property to ensure it would remain forever available for agriculture. At the same time, the farmer also granted EMSWCD an option to permanently protect other property in their ownership. Read more
We have brand new content in our Land Conservation section! See our Working Farmland Protection page to learn how we’re helping ensure farmland remains available for current and future generations of farmers. The section now includes information on landowner options, program participation benefits, information on working farmland easements and much more.
The East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District (EMSWCD) will hold a public hearing for the purpose of taking comments on the draft findings for an exemption from the competitive bidding requirement under ORS 297C, for the installation of a solar photovoltaic system on an agricultural property owned by EMSWCD, located east of Gresham, Oregon. The hearing will be held at 5211 N Williams Ave., Portland, OR 97217 at 10 AM on Friday, August 2nd, 2019. For queries or to obtain copies of the draft findings, contact Andrew Brown: (503) 222-7645 or info@emswcd.org.
Come tour our naturescaped garden and the green features we’ve added to our historical building on June 1st! At this family-friendly event you’ll see native plants, rain gardens, eco-roofs, pervious pavement and more! You’ll walk away with new ideas for how to care for the land and water in your yard.
Learn more about
the event here!
Please note that our grounds are ADA accessible, but there are varying types of terrain. For more information or questions on accessibility, please contact Monica at (503) 222-7645 or monica@emswcd.org.
East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District (EMSWCD) is pleased to announce that the working farmland protection component of its Land Legacy Program has closed on the acquisition of its first-ever working farmland easement. This month, EMSWCD secured the permanent protection of a 57-acre farm property in the Gresham area.
The acquisition of the easement occurred in conjunction with the sale of the property, which EMSWCD had owned since 2011. EMSWCD acquired the property when it was listed for sale and at risk of no longer being available for productive use by the local farming community. Proceeds from the sale will be used by EMSWCD to protect additional working farm properties.
A working farmland easement is a legally binding blueprint for the future of the property which ensures it will remain in active and highly productive agricultural use. The recently released U.S. Department of Agriculture Census of Agriculture underscores the need for these working farmland protection efforts, with Multnomah County losing an average of 2.5 acres of farmland a day during the period from 2012 to 2017.
The easement for this property also seeks to address the growing challenges of farmland access and affordability. Farmland affordability is a challenge in Multnomah County, with the Census of Agriculture finding a 75% increase in the value of farmland and buildings from 2012 – 2017 and the second highest average farmland/farm building values of any county in Oregon. The easement incorporates provisions that ensure the property will remain in the ownership of a farmer and limits residential infrastructure that could make the property unaffordable for agricultural operators. As part of the transaction, EMSWCD also secured an option to acquire a working farmland easement on another 20-acre property owned by the buyers. Read more
Update, April 17th, 2019: This position is now closed and applications are being reviewed. Thank you for your interest!
The East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District (EMSWCD) is seeking an Outreach and Education Intern for the Urban Lands program. This position will help promote program offerings through a variety of activities such as coordinating educational workshops, maintaining supplies, supporting staff with annual event preparations, and engaging the community through tabling at community events, email marketing, social media and surveys.
Applications materials are due by April 15th. Learn more about the position and how to apply here.