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Oregon Agriculture

​​​​​Do you own or operate one of Oregon's 30,000 small farms? 

There are a variety of resources available to support your new or small farm. Organizations that provide support in Oregon include:

  • Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA)
  • US Department of Agriculture (USDA)
  • Oregon's primary, secondary, and higher education institutions
  • Non-profit organizations
  • Financial institutions

​​USDA New Farmer and Rancher Programs

USDA has many programs and services available for beginning farmers and ranchers. To learn more, contact your local USDA office. Offices are located across state.

Resources for new farmers from USDA

Resources for new farmers from the United States Department of Agriculture. USDA New Farmers Program

​​Education and employment resources

Adelante Mujeres

Adelante Mujeres provides holistic education and empowerment opportunities to low income Latina women and their families. Adelante Mujeres website

Agriculture job and internship listings

Training and education programs listed by ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture Program. Sustainable Farming Internships and Apprenticeships

Business plan guidelines

US Small Business Administration guidelines to write a business plan quickly and efficiently with a business plan template. How to write business plan

Clackamas Community College

Training and education programs Clackamas Community College programs

East Multnomah Farm Incubator Program

This program serves as a launching pad for farm businesses by providing the resources necessary to helping farmers overcome capital, peer support, and agricultural training barriers. East Multnomah SWCD Farm Incubator Program info

Eastern Oregon University Global Food Systems & Agribusiness

Global Food Systems & Agribusiness Program

Friends of Family Farmers

Non-profit organization with business education resources. Friends of Family Farmers

Linn-Benton Community College

Training and education programs Linn-Benton Community College Agriculture Program

Livelihood Northwest Business Development

Technical assistance and business consulting services to local small businesses, with a focus on historically under-served entrepreneurs. Livelihood Northwest

Oregon FFA: Hands-on ag education for high school students

Training and education programs Oregon FFA website

Oregon State University Center for Small Farms & Community Food Systems

Resources for Oregon’s small farms and ranches including: OSU Extension Small Farms Program, Niche Meat Processors Assistance Network, Oregon Community Food Systems Network, Organic Extension Program, Agritourism Program and SARE Programs. Center For Small Farms & Community Food Systems

Oregon State University Center for Small Farms Program

The Center provides students and community members opportunities to expand their agricultural knowledge through various events, workshops and online resources. OSU Small Farms Program
Beginning Farmer and Rancher Resource Guide
Beginning Farmer and Rancher Service Provider Guide

Rogue Farm Corps Program

Farm training programs that offer hands-on experience on a diverse network of commercial family farms in Oregon. Rogue Farm Corps website

Treasure Valley Community College

TVCC's General Agriculture program gives students the option of creating an individual education plan that meets their specific career objectives. TVCC Agriculture programs

Financial assistance resources

Beginning and Expanding Farmer Loan Program

Aggie Bond Program

Craft3 Community Development Financial Institution

Specialize in loans that strengthen economy, families and environment. Craft3 website

Dev Northwest

Non-traditional lending source. Dev Northwest is a nonprofit that was created in 2019 when Neighborhood Economic Development Corporation (NEDCO) and Willamette Neighborhood Housing Services (WNHS) united. Dev Northwest website

National Funding

Small business loan company. National Funding personal financing website

RSF Social Finance

Develop innovative social finance tools. RSF Social Finance website

Steward

A private lending partner, financing the growth of regenerative farms and sustainable producers through simple, flexible business loans. Steward website

USDA Farm Service Agency

Loans and micro-loans to start or expand a farm. USDA Farm Loan Programs

Whole Foods Local Producer Loan Program

Local Producer Loan Program

Land use and acquisition resources

Oregon Farm Link

Connecting beginning farmers and ranchers with land holders in help Oregon grow the next generation of family farmers. Oregon Farm Link website

Six ways to secure farmland

Strategies to find land for farming. Finding land to farm resource

Strategies to farm productively in small spaces

SPIN Farming guide series. SPIN stands for s-mall p-lot in-tensive. SPIN farming website

​​Marketing resources

Chefs Collaborative

National nonprofit network with a mission to inspire, educate, and celebrate chefs and food professionals building a better food system. Chefs Collaborative website

Emerging market opportunities for small farmers

USDA Agricultural Marketing Service

Farm direct marketing agricultural products

Farm direct marketing for agricultural products

Farm direct marketing for producer-processed products

Farm direct marketing for producer-processed products

Oregon Farmers Market Association

Farm direct to consumer marketing. Includes the farmers market directory. Oregon Farmers Market Association website

Oregon Harvest for Schools directory

A tool to help Oregon school food buyers source Oregon-grown food products. Oregon Harvest for Schools portal

USDA Community Supported Agriculture information

Community Supported Agriculture

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​Contact ​​

Jonathan Sandau
Deputy Director
635 Capitol Street NE
Salem, OR 97301
Phone: 503-385-5027
Karla Valness
Senior Policy Advisor
635 Capitol Street NE
Salem, OR 97301
Phone: 503-986-4554