Dear Friends of Family Farmers Community,

As the Board of Directors for Friends of Family Farmers, we want to let you know of some changes happening internally within our organization. Shari Sirkin is no longer the Executive Director of FoFF.

For the past three years, Shari guided the work of Friends of Family Farmers, as both Interim and then Executive Director. She stepped up to lead FoFF at a critical time when the organization found itself without an Executive Director and her dedication moved FoFF to a bright future. Prior to taking on this role, Shari served as a member of the Board of Directors for six years, helping to craft the vision and direction of the organization. We are grateful for all the on-the-ground, and behind-the-scenes work that Shari did for Oregon farmers and beyond. Her activist spirit, and passion for the work are infectious; inspiring folks to put their convictions into action.

Shari’s commitment to her fellow farmers and the broader community was demonstrated in her enthusiasm and support of policy work and contributions to the overall mission of FoFF. On behalf of the board of directors, we send our gratitude to the passion, commitment, and dedication Shari brought to FoFF. 

As we transition, a former FoFF board member familiar with the organization is working with the FoFF board to manage day-to-day operations and support all of our team as we move forward. As we seek new leadership, please know that we will continue to provide the services and connections needed by our stakeholders and community members to help them achieve success. All of our staff and the entire board remain committed to collaborating and advocating for family-scale, inclusive agriculture, fostering healthy and resilient rural and urban communities.  

Sincerely,

The FoFF Board of Directors

Looking Ahead to 2021 

While 2020 was a year like no other, it set us up for some exciting work in 2021! Because of the changes that last year brought to FoFF (and the world) we are taking some new directions in our programming to better serve the socially and ecologically responsible farmers of Oregon. We are proud to share our plans with you for 2021, some of our new initiatives and goals include:

• Expanding the technical assistance for land seekers and land holders on Oregon Farm Link, specifically for BIPOC farmers.
• Celebrating the farmers who prioritize soil health and climate resilience through a new partnership with Cultivate Oregon.
• Reinvigorating and expanding the Portland Fill Your Pantry bulk buying event alongside Slow Food Portland.
• Launching the Oregon Pasture Network's Pastured Producer Education Fund to help all pastured animal producers (with preference given to underrepresented farmers) to access new knowledge and improve their practices.
• Joining OSU Small Farms Program, Rogue Farm Corps, The OCFSN Beginning Farmer and Rancher Group and EcoTrust’s Ag of the Middle program in launching a new program to further understanding and build skills in diversity, equity and inclusion for farmers in our network.
• Representing socially and ecologically responsible farmers in Salem during the legislative session on issues like meat processing, organic seed protection, a moratorium on mega-dairies, and more.

We are so grateful to have so many farmers, eaters, and advocates on this journey to a better food system with us.  Stay tuned for opportunities to plug into these efforts and make your voice heard!

Why is a Mega- Dairy Moratorium Needed in Oregon?

Mega-dairies play a major role in driving dairy farmers off the land across the country, including in Oregon. They over-produce and flood the market with cheap milk, while externalizing their environmental and social costs, making it hard for small dairy farmers to compete. Forty years ago, Oregon was home to more than 4,000 dairies, mostly small, family-owned businesses. Now just over 200 remain.

A ‘timeout’ on new and expanding mega-dairies in Oregon is the place to start leveling the playing field.

This 2021 legislative session, alongside the Stand Up to Factory Farms coalition, Senator Michael Dembrow (D-23) and Representative Rob Nosse (D-42) are introducing legislation to enact a mega-dairy moratorium in Oregon and protect our air, water, climate, rural communities, small farmers, and animal welfare from the harms of this destructive industry.

We hope you can join us on January 26th at 5:30pm for a conversation on how passing a mega-dairy moratorium in the 2021 legislative session can protect our communities from the harms of mega-dairies and learn what you can do to support this important legislation.

Thank You for Your Support!

Join Oregon Farm Link

Are you looking for land to farm or do you have land available for farming? Are you interested in farm internships, jobs, financing options or other resources? Now is the time to create a post and start making connections for the upcoming season! Oregon Farm Link provides an online hub where land holders and land seekers can post what they are looking for and contact each other. You can also post or look for food and farm jobs as well as check out our resources tab for help with topics like financing and lease agreements. Questions about Oregon Farm Link? Email us! 

Also be sure to check out Rogue Farm Corps' upcoming Changing Hands Workshop Series for information from fellow farmers and experts on financing, business planning, succession and more. Registration is open now for workshops beginning in February.

InFARMation Spring Series: Land and Capital Access

 February 23, March 30, April 27, and May 25th from 6:30pm-8pm

Are you a farmer that needs land to farm or a tractor to plow your fields? Are you a local food enthusiast looking for ways to get involved to preserve our farmland or help small farms thrive? In collaboration with Steward, we will talk about conventional and non-conventional ways to access land and capital in Oregon.

Steward is the world’s first CrowdFarming platform, helping sustainable farms to flourish by letting regular people invest in them directly, and prosper alongside them. So whether you're an investor looking to build your wealth without compromising your values, or a farmer looking for the back-up you need to take that next step, with Steward everybody wins.

In addition to farmers that have received loans from Steward, we will hear about land trusts, long term leasing options, Oregon Farm Link, farming collectives, and other capital options. So whether you are a farmer that needs resources or an eater that wants to know how to get involved please mark your calendar for these upcoming FREE virtual events. Everyone is welcome!