April 2025 Newsletter

Published April 9, 2025

  • We can hardly believe that the Oregon Community Food System Network (OCFSN) was formalized TEN YEARS AGO, in 2015.

    Our last in-person full network convening was at Silver Falls in 2019. We are excited to ask you to save the date for November 5 - 7, 2025 for our 10-year anniversary convening. Please fill out this form to share your interest in attending and help us plan the content and location for gathering.

  • REGISTER

    The working group has invited State Representative Sarah Finger McDonald, House District 16, and food system and related policy experts to share with network members the current state of food systems bills for this 2025 Oregon Legislative Session.

    This is a great way to get a high-level look at the current session, and hear updates about the hugely important work being done for food systems policy in our state.

    When:

    Friday, April 18th, at 1pm (virtual)

    ** Click this link to register! **

    Agenda:

    • What is the CFS at Leg Working Group?

    • Speakers / presentations

      • Rep Finger McDonald

      • Highlight justice related bills/issues

        • Immigrant Rights Package: Sammi Teo (Oregon Food Bank) & Cynthia Ramirez (PCUN)

      • Food Systems Bills Overview

        • Alice Morrison (Friends of Family Farmers)

    • Bills to Watch Presentation

    • Audience engagement

      • Poll: what are a couple of things you’ve done since the start of session (related to legislative action)?

      • Break into groups of 2- 3 to have discussion on leg session of food systems policy

      • Share outs from groups

    • Meeting Wrap 

      • Write in the chat: What is one thing you will commit to doing by the end of the session? (legislative action)

    Topics to be covered include: what bills have passed through the first chamber deadline; what is the budget landscape this year; how does it impact member priorities; and how you can get involved. Folks can track the over 40 food systems and related bills through our policy tracker to see specifics for each bill - 2025 Matrix: CFS at the 2025 Oregon Legislature.

Upcoming events

  • May Day March

    May 1st, 2025

    PCUN is organizing a May Day March for International Worker’s Day in Salem.

    We gather in Salem at the Capitol Steps to stand in solidarity for worker’s rights and demand an end to mass deportations.

    Register

  • OCFSN 10-Year Convening

    November 5-7, 2025

    Our first in-person full network convening since 2019 will be celebrating the network’s 10-Year Anniversary.

    Pre-registration Form

  • Resilience and Resistance: Cross-Pollinating Food Movements Conference

    June 22-24, 2025

    Portland State University, Portland, OR
    Apply for a scholarship to attend.

    Register to Attend

  • Brews, Bluegrass, & BBQ 2025

    June 7 from 2-8pm @ RoxyAnn Winery

    This toe-tappin’-foot-stompin’ good time is a fundraiser for the Rogue Valley Food System Network and features four talented bands: Late for the Train, Thunder Ridge, The Rosa Lees, & 33 String Drive. 

    Pre-sale tickets are only $20 each.

    Buy Tickets Now

Working Group Updates

  • Missed a meeting? You can find recordings of working group meetings on OCFSN’s Youtube Channel and other materials in our Public Google Drive.

    Stay looped into the latest news for each of the working groups by joining the mailing lists: How to Use OCFSN Google Groups.

  • The Oregon Food Hub Network meets next on April 22, 1:00 - 2:30. We’ll be hearing from Hummingbird Wholesale and Caitlin Seyfried on some new offerings to this group.

    Sign up for the Food Hub Network mailing list by emailing food-hub+subscribe@ocfsn.org to automatically receive the calendar invitations.

    Additionally, Round 2 of the Food Hub Worker Safety and Infrastructure Grants have closed and awards will be announced at the end of April.

  • We are transitioning to registration for the working group meetings:

    Sign up for the Veggie Rx mailing list by emailing veggie-rx+subscribe@ocfsn.org to automatically receive the calendar invitations. Email veggierx-admin@ocfsn.org with any questions.

  • Farmer & Rancher Disaster Resilience Grant Program:

    The Grant Program closed application acceptance on January 31st. Awards decisions have been made and announced to applicants. 68 of the 205 submitted applications were awarded disaster resilience project funding. We will be reporting second round and full two year grant program outcomes in the next several months. Again, a huge appreciation goes out to the OCFSN community for supporting and sharing this funding opportunity.

    Meetings and Working Group Updates:

    • If your farm, ranch or organization has been impact by a federal funding freeze, we have a form to gathering that information and gauge the impact to Oregon’s food system - add your info here - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdL6LRJsGFxfh0bk420k9jckhI9Y5gCgdQYKCJOq0-FRjuKrg/viewform

    • Next Beginning Farmer & Rancher Subgroup meeting - Thursday May 15th at 10 am 

      • Notes from last meeting on funding freezes and other programing challenges.

      • Zoom link

    • With Tanya leaving OCFSN and the RFBC we are evaluating the next steps for the Farm Viability Subgroup. If you have not been a part of this subgroup and are working on supporting farm financial viability anywhere in Oregon, please reach out and Andrew will add you to the subgroup list (andrew@ocfsn.org) as we think about next steps.

    • The Transitioning Oregon’s Farmland BFRDP Program is in its third and final year for its current grant. The team is working on its next BFRDP application to submit this spring. If your organization or partnership is applying for a BFRDP this year, please reach out (andrew@ocfsn.org), so we can discuss and make sure our applications are coordinated and as competitive as possible.

    As always, please continue to use the farmingforthefuture@ocfsn.org Google Group to share your updates with working group members and email farmingforthefuture+subscribe@ocfsn.org to join that group.

  • The Community Food Systems at the Legislature Working Group has regular monthly meetings scheduled for the 2025 Session. Please join us every month on the 4th Friday at 1pm. This working group focuses on food systems policy education and coordination for the Oregon Legislature and is a great place for folks to coordinate with folks active in Salem on their food systems bills. It is also a good place for folks who want to listen in and learn more about how state policy advocacy is done in this space.

    • Working Group convening for full network on April 18 at 1pm. Register here - https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/OBeHebKyRpCHcL6lFxlS4g 

    • HB2979: Outpouring of support for the Feb 5 House Ag Hearing (~275 testimony in support of renewing programs); passed House Ag Committee unanimously and now goes to Ways and Means.

    • One of the main tools we use in this working group is our Policy Matrix for farm and food systems and other related bills for the 2025 Session. If you have bills you are tracking, please review the matrix and provide your updates. For others, this sheet is a one-stop-shop for learning about food systems bills that are active this session (there are 42 bills in the matrix currently!).

    • Next working group meeting is April 25 - 1-2pm - Zoom

    Please join the Google Group if you would like to get regular updates on policy work this session by emailing cfs-policy+subscribe@ocfsn.org.

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

  • Visit OCFSN's calendar page for details on all the upcoming working group or other OCFSN hosted events.

    • April 18: 2025 Oregon Legislative Session - CFS at the Legislature Online Convening. Register here.

    • April 22: Oregon Food Hub Network Monthly Meeting. Zoom Link.

    • April 25: CFS at the Legislature Working Group Meeting. Zoom Link.

    • May 6: Veggie Rx Quarterly Meeting Register here.

    • May 15: Beginning Farmer & Rancher Subgroup Meeting. Zoom Link.

    • May 23: CFS at the Legislature Meeting. Zoom Link.

    • May 27: Oregon Food Hub Network Meeting. Zoom Link.

    • Finance Director at National Young Farmers Coalition. The current salary range for the Finance Director Role is $106,539, and $127,500 for an Executive Finance Director. Apply by April 10. Learn more here.

    • Program Assistant - Produce Prescription at Vancouver Farmers Market. Part-time, Seasonal, 8 hours per week. Learn more here.

    • April 10: FREE Land Leasing Workshop Hosted by OSU Extension, FoFF, and OAT. Register here.

    • April 13: Eugene Area Collaborative Networking + Changing Hands Event. Register: https://changinghandsapril2025.eventbrite.com/

    • April 18: Applegate Valley Grown & Made Campaign 1st meeting; We're hosting a planning meeting for the Applegate Valley Grown & Made Campaign. This is your chance to help shape this important initiative promoting locally produced goods. We'll be discussing strategies, opportunities, and implementation plans. Your input is valuable whether you're a producer, retailer, or community supporter. Join us as we work together to highlight and celebrate the locally grown and made products in our region. Contact jaimy@agreaterapplegate.org for the Zoom link. A Greater Applegate's office is in Ruch - 7380 Hwy 238.

    • May 1: May Day March International Workers’ Day w/ PCUN. Register here.

    • May 8: Western Water Rights 101 for Ag Advisors. 10am-Noon PT on Zoom
      With Amanda Cronin from (AMP Insights), we’ll break down water rights fundamentals across WA, OR, and CA for western ag advisors. Register for the 05/08 workshop here.

  • Interested in volunteering at farmers markets in 2025?

    Farmers market season is just around the corner! Both Applegate Evening Market and Williams Farmers Market are seeking volunteers starting this May.

    This is a wonderful opportunity to support local agriculture and artisans while enjoying the vibrant market atmosphere. AEM offers volunteers a free beverage of their choice, while Williams treats helpers to a refreshing popsicle - perfect for those warm market days! Volunteers help with varied tasks like setup, customer assistance, and creating a welcoming environment for shoppers and vendors alike. If you or someone you know is interested, please contact us for more information about scheduling and responsibilities. You'll find morew information on our fliers below. Thank you for the support! 

Our next newsletter will be published June 2025.

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