Access to Farmland
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Forever Farms for Future Generations
Access to farmland is a significant and growing challenge for farmers.
As farmland acreage becomes scarcer and more expensive, EMSWCD works to create more “Forever Farms” and make more farmland affordable to current and future generations of farmers – from small vegetable farms to large nursery operations.
“When our land is secure … we can continue to grow and deepen our impact in the community.” – Shantae Johnson, Mudbone Grown Farm
What We’re Doing:
We are working to make farmland more accessible
We are working to make farmland more accessible to everyone, including established farmers, mid-career farmers, beginning farmers, nursery, vegetable and livestock operators, and members of communities negatively impacted by racial discrimination and land dispossession.
Multnomah County Farmland Value
41st
Most Expensive Farmland in the US
542%
Increase in Value Since 1992
$27,472/ac
Versus US Average of $3,846/ac
One Forever Farm Story:
From Dream to Dirt: How Crooked Time Farm Found a Home
After 16 years of farming, Saruh Wynes and Bear Carter dreamed of owning land—but like many aspiring farmers, they found themselves priced out of the market. That changed when they partnered with EMSWCD, which helps protect farmland from development and makes it more affordable for future farmers. Thanks to the program, Saruh and Bear were able to buy a 10-acre farm in Troutdale, now home to their newly established Crooked Time Farm.
The land had been home to Dancing Roots Farm for decades. When its longtime owners decided to retire, they wanted to ensure the property would remain in farming. By working with EMSWCD to place a working farmland easement on the property, they helped guarantee that outcome—keeping the land in active agricultural use and ensuring it would be sold at agricultural value to qualified farmers.
By placing a conservation easement on the land, EMSWCD ensures it stays in agricultural use forever—a “forever farm” that also protects water, wildlife habitat, and the climate. The easement also made the farm more affordable. It helped Saruh and Bear qualify for low-interest, long-term loans through the Farm Service Agency (FSA). EMSWCD supported them throughout the process—handling paperwork, coordinating surveys, securing tax benefits, and connecting them with grants for pollinator habitat and water catchment.
“There’s not enough that we could say about how helpful this experience has been as we start our farm,” said Saruh Wynes. “This program changed the game for us and gave us a lot of hope about what we are capable of as farmers. We’re also honored to be stewards on this land, which will now have a permanent legacy in farmland.”
Learn how we can partner with you:
Contact Matt Shipkey, Land Legacy Program Manager:
Technical Assistance and Site Visits
Put East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District to work for you!
If you live east of the Willamette River in Multnomah County, you are automatically eligible for free practical, personalized advice about managing your land. Some properties are also eligible for site visits by our staff. We are non-regulatory – we are only interested in helping you. All of our services are provided free of charge.
