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OSU Metro Small Farms Program Updates
Clackamas, Multnomah & Washington Counties
The summer heat is here, the grass is yellowing the tomatoes and melons are ripening, and the cold wet winter seems far away. Well maybe it is, but the winter cover crop establishment window is right around the corner! Now is the time to order your seed. September and early October are ideal times to seed winter cover crops in the Willamette valley, any later and stands may not establish well enough before winter.

Helpful tips on establishment can be found here

Come join us at NWREC on Aug 25th for a workshop on cover crop establishment.

May your legumes nodulate and your cereals tiller.
Metro Small Farms Team

Heidi Noordijk
Outreach Program Coordinator
heidi.noordijk@oregonstate.edu

Clint Taylor
Education Program Assistant
clint.taylor@oregonstate.edu

Em Jones
Extension Student intern

 
Organic Vegetable Program
 
Nick Andrews
Professor of Practice
nick.andrews@oregonstate.edu
 


 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Small Farm School 2022

Monday September 12th 2022
8:00 - 3:00pm
at Clackamas Community College in Oregon City

Registration IS NOW OPEN!


Small Farm School is a wonderful way to connect with other farmers and dig deeper into topics that interest you as a beginning or intermediate small-scale farmer. A few of the topics this year include: Oregon Farm Link, Advocacy, Winter Vegetables, Processing Poultry, Ergonomics and more!  Scholarships are available.

Check the Small Farm School website for updates
More Info

Mushroom Producer Survey


This form is intended to gather input and better understand the needs and desires of mushroom producers in the greater Portland Metro Area and throughout Oregon.

Information from this form will be used by the OSU Metro Small Farms Program to create events for mushroom producers.
Link to Survey

NEW EXTENSION PUBLICATIONS

Now is the time to plant overwintering brassicas and radicchio!

The mild climate west of the Cascades allows farmers and gardeners to grow many winter-hardy crops in the field for winter and spring harvest. A wide range of alliums, leafy greens, brassicas and root crops do well. For gardeners, these winter vegetables provide fresh, nutritious, homegrown produce from November to April. For farmers, winter vegetable production can provide cash flow outside the normal summer cropping season, more consistent work for employees and year-round relationships with direct-market customers.
Link to Publication

GRANTS

USDA Accepting Applications to Help Cover Costs of Organic, Transitioning Producers

Agricultural producers and handlers who are certified organic, along with producers and handlers who are transitioning to organic production, can now apply for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Organic and Transitional Education Certification Program (OTECP) and Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP), which help producers and handlers cover the cost of organic certification, along with other related expenses. Applications for OTECP and OCCSP are both due October 31, 2022. 
More Info

UPCOMING EVENTS

Registration link

Ag Innovations Conference Located 20 miles south of Portland, Oregon State University’s North Willamette Research and Extension Center (NWREC) is organizing and hosting the 2022 AIC. Started in 2014 in California, the AIC provides a platform for stakeholders across various research institutions and agricultural industries to share the latest technological advances and developments while exploring the many varied complex agronomic and crop protection issues facing agricultural production.

These highly rated meetings help assess industry needs, explore practical solutions, and establish new collaborations. As in years past, the 2022 conference will feature an exciting agenda of talks, field tours, and opportunities to network.

Our annual Harvest Dinner will commence on Sept 23rd, following the conclusion of the AIC. Social hour begins at 5:30 pm with drinks and hors d’oeuvres, followed by dinner at 6:30 pm.

Registration link

Military Veteran Summer Farm Tour Series (Willamette Valley) 

For Veterans who are currently farming or hoping to. Farm host are all Veterans who are currently farming. An opportunity to learn, share, and network!

Aug 24 - Sep 10, 2022
Four tours in the series
 

Free to attend, Registration is required
 

First Tour: Sheep Farm - Jacob Mogler - Albany, OR

When: 6-8pm, Wednesday August 24th

Description: A walking tour with Jacob, sharing about the journey getting started, as well as the management of water & mobile fencing using low-input systems. There will be time for socializing and networking afterwards. After the tour, there will be time for networking and socializing.

 

Second Tour: Patrick Fay @ Hentze Family Farm - Junction City, OR

When: 6-8 pm, Friday September 2nd

Description: A networking event on the farm with Patrick, sharing about the importance of networking with like minded individuals who can help you find the right resources, finding a mentor to guide you along the way, and sharing about his role on the farm and in the Cook Shack. After the tour, there will be an informal networking event and farm product tasting.


Third Tour: Ben Martin @ Dauntless Wine Co. - Gaston, OR

When: 6-8 pm, Friday September 9th

Description: A walking tour with Ben, sharing the process of starting out the vines and managing cover crops using land stewardship practices, as well as talking about the tractor and equipment needs for the farm. After the tour, there will be wine for sampling and purchase.

 

Fourth Tour: Mark Johnson @ C&C Family Farm - Canby, OR

When: 9-11am, Saturday September 10th

Description: A walking tour with Mark, sharing his experience with transitioning from the service to becoming a farmer, managing the changing of hands on the farm from his family to him, and the process of funding for restoration of existing infrastructure.There will be time for socializing and networking after the tour.

Registration link

Midsummer Gathering for Portland-area Beginning Farmers!


WHAT: A chill gathering to celebrate beginning farmers in our area and build community. A light agenda of icebreakers, farm trivia, and vegan Thai food

WHO: Portland-area beginning farmers, and feel free to pass this RSVP on to anyone who identifies as such :)

WHERE: Headwaters Incubator Farm, 28600 SE Orient Drive, Gresham, OR 97080

WHEN: Thursday, 8/11, 5-8pm

WHY: Why not?

Questions? Email geoffrey@roguefarmcorps.org.
 
RSVP: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfbaZqILZxJ5TebBZPfhr49eHIShWqjCaWYhpztTqXQtTUlDQ/viewform

JOB POSTINGS

 


Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District (CSWCD) is hiring a seasonal maintenance worker to provide program support for our Land Management Program.  We are seeking candidates with a passion for agricultural and forest land management. This person will help ensure that District-owned properties and equipment are safe and well maintained.  They will also help us deliver services to residents of Clackamas County.
The typical seasonal work period is February - October but may change during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated start date: August 15, 2022
 
More Info

Job Postings


CSA Operations Assistant
Moomaw Family Farm | Oregon City, OR | *$18/hr for all freezer / farm related tasks * $17/hr plus 58.5¢/mile for deliveries (this averages out to be $25 - $26/hr for deliveries
CSA Delivery Driver
Moomaw Family Farm | Oregon City, OR | $17/hr plus 58.5¢/mile for deliveries (this averages out to be $25 - $26/hr)
More Info

RESOURCES & CLASSES

The Western Cover Crops Council is an organization of members that are interested in cover crops. All of our members live or work in a State or Territory within the Western SARE region.

Helpful Cover Crop Resources
WCCC Website
New Heat Safety and Wildfire Smoke Rules from OHSA- Oregon
  • On Heat Safety: Water. Rest. Shade. Fact sheet about the key requirements of the wildfire smoke rule:   
  • Wildfire smoke online course: Designed to satisfy certain training requirements in the wildfire smoke rule. Topics include: air quality measurements, health effects and symptoms, proper use of respirators, and other safety measures.  
  • The Farmworker Programs of the Oregon Law Center and Legal Aid Services of Oregon invite you to a free training for service providers interested in learning more about the permanent heat stress and wildfire smoke rules recently issued
    • Heat stress rules
    • Heat rules in labor housing 
    • Wildfire smoke rules  
Link to Fact Sheets
Link to Training

Oregon Wildfire Risk Explorer


The Oregon Wildfire Risk Explorer is designed to identify the wildland urban interface and wildfire risk at the property ownership level. It shows a comprehensive view of wildfire risk within the State of Oregon, indicates local fire history, and offers additional resources. This site provides information regarding support for homeowners, communities, and professionals to identify and prioritize local wildfire prevention, mitigation efforts, and implement defensible space standards where applicable.

Learn more about what data was used to develop the map
Link to Map

USDA Announces Assistance for On-Farm Food Safety Expenses for Specialty Crop Growers

the USDA plans to provide up to $200 million in assistance for specialty crop producers who incur eligible on-farm food safety program expenses to obtain or renew a food safety certification in calendar years 2022 or 2023. USDA’s new Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops (FSCSC) program will help to offset costs for specialty crop producers to comply with regulatory requirements and market-driven food safety certification requirements, which is part of USDA’s broader effort to transform the food system to create a more level playing field for small and medium producers and a more balanced, equitable economy for everyone working in food and agriculture

More Info

Oregon Maple Project 


Would you like to learn how to make maple syrup in the Pacific Northwest? The Oregon Maple Project offers internships for dedicated high school and college students interested in learning the art Bigleaf Maple sugaring and assisting with all aspects of our operations at Camp Colton. This is a unique opportunity for those who love the outdoors, hands-on work, local food, teaching, and community ventures. ​ We select volunteer interns to collaborate with us for a full year, learning about Bigleaf Maples throughout the seasons. Interns should be prepared to work for one full day per month, often on weekends, and will need to provide their own transportation to our location 45 minutes Southeast of Portland in Colton, Oregon. Responsibilities will include: tapping trees, chopping wood, setting up sap collection lines, maintaining the sugar shack, harvesting sap, firing the evaporator, cleaning equipment, maintaining trails, hosting visitors, designing outreach efforts, and developing curriculum. 
  
Want to apply? Send letter of interest to Eliza Nelson at info@oregonmapleproject.org. Questions can be directed to Eliza, too
 
More Info
The Anti-Racist Farmers Market Toolkit was developed by a group of Black food systems leaders and market managers like Shiny Flanary of Come Thru Market, to help offer ways for managers to put the concepts of anti-racism into practice and action within farmers markets.
 
The work is intended to improve market experiences for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) and BIPOC communities; however, the authors’ lens explicitly centers Black people and Black communities.
Link to Toolkit

This new online course is for farmers and ranchers interested in adding an agricultural tourism business to their operation. Agritourism includes welcoming visitors onto a farm or ranch to sell products, engage with customers, offer various activities, enhance the visibility of local farms, and build connections in the community. 

More Info

NEW CLASS!

$225 (+$60 Registration Fee)

In this course, you will explore the possibility of CEA (Controlled Environment Agriculture) to create an extremely high-intensity production environment. Learn the importance of controlling water, light, temperature, substrate, nutrients, and the atmosphere for maximizing plant growth.

Farmers have embraced a high-tech future to supply a synthetic environment for optimal crop production. The controls involved are nuanced and interconnected and require significant knowledge and expertise to maintain optimal operation. We will be examining what about plant factories have caught the attention of so many and how these systems might play a significant and as-of-yet under appreciated role in the future or urban agricultural production.
Register Now

NEW CLASS!

$495 (+$60 Registration Fee)

Being able to test soil can help you save money, conserve energy, optimize crop production and diagnose issues before they become a costly problem.
 

This online soil testing course has been uniquely created for:

  • Agriculture professionals
  • Crop advisors
  • Agronomists
  • Soil laboratory managers and staff
  • Farm managers
  • Consultants who are responsible for making decisions about soil testing
Register Now
The Metro Small Farms Program is based at the North Willamette Research and Extension Center (NWREC). Variety trials and small-scale workshops occur on our two-acre learning farm. There are many other programs at NWREC that serve farmers in our region. Watch this 7-minute video to learn more.
 
COVID-19 Advisory. Metro OSU Extension is working to keep our communities safe. All Extension programming is being provided virtually, postponed or canceled. We are available via email, phone and web conference
Oregon State University Extension Service prohibits discrimination in all its programs, services, activities, and materials on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, familial/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, genetic information, veteran’s status, reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. This publication will be made available in accessible formats upon request. Program accommodation requests related to a disability should be made by calling 503-373-3774.

Please help us to monitor the effectiveness of our civil rights and affirmative action efforts and fill out our anonymous survey.

El Servicio de Extensión de Oregon State University prohíbe la discriminación en todos sus programas, servicios, actividades y materiales en base a la raza, color, origen nacional, religión, sexo, identidad de género (incluyendo la expresión de género), orientación sexual, discapacidad, edad, estado civil, estatus de la familia/padres, ingresos derivados de un programa de asistencia pública, creencias políticas, información genética, estado de veterano, represalia o represalia por actividad previa de los derechos civiles.

Te invitamos a indicar voluntariamente tu origen étnico, raza, y género en este formulario para ayudarnos a monitorear la efectividad de nuestros esfuerzos en cuanto a derechos civiles y acción afirmativa.
 


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