Tag: RARE: Food Systems

Research to Resources: Understanding Rural Perspectives to Inform Program and Personal Development

Posted on by egronert

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by Alex Van Grunsven, Working Lands Program Developer, Coast Fork Willamette Watershed Council 

Committing to serve in a rural community could not be more rewarding. Imagine meeting individuals who have lived on a single property for 30 plus years. They tell stories of the animals who frequent their woods, the water that meanders across property lines, the shift in cover crops that populate their pasturelands and, most importantly, the deepening of their connection to their environmental and local communities. These stories, in my eyes, are the reasons why opening your ears and heart to those around you helps to shape not only your understanding of a rural community, but also your entire being for the better. 

Going on my second year serving in rural regions, I’ve talked with numerous people about the barriers and gaps community members face regarding their connection to food and farming. My current term as Working Lands Program Developer for the Coast Fork Willamette Watershed Council in Cottage Grove, Oregon has brought me a new perspective on how rural producers and consumers interact with their local food systems. I couldn’t have ever imagined to have learnt the valuable information I did in these past 4 months without having the opportunity to table at the South Willamette Valley (SVFM) and Lane County Farmers Markets (LCFM). 

The general scope of the Working Lands Program (WLP) is to provide a farmer-centered, free service aimed at tackling the barriers farmers, ranchers and foresters face and provide support to transition to more regenerative land management practices (Van Grunsven, Alex “Working Lands Program Farmer’s Market Outreach Report 2022” January 19, 2022.Working Lands Program, Report). Furthermore, the WLP is a brand-new program offering assistance to landowners beginning January 2023. The Working Lands Program relies heavily on the input of community members in the counties of Lane, Linn and Benton to provide context for program development and its evolution over time. That is why the WLP team identified the SVFM and LCFM as prime opportunities to gather community input and accomplish the following: 

  1. Raise community awareness of the Working Lands Program 
  2. Gather impressions of “regenerative agriculture” and associated practices from the public and market vendors 
  3. Gain an understanding of the expressed and perceived regional issues associated with working lands operations 

Now the background of why our organization decided to conduct on-the-ground outreach at farmers markets is an important piece to note. However, the how and what following such motives paint a better picture of what impact my position directly has on the local communities I aim to help. On three separate occasions, I stood through rain and shine at each market to welcome community members to engage in conversation, fill out a survey and answer topical questions about their local agricultural systems. I asked consumers at the LCFM to write or draw their response to the question: “What is the number one issue Oregon farmers face today?” Let’s just say – the range of answers written on that poster were vast and highly entertaining to reflect upon. Similarly, consumers at the SVFM were eager to discuss the nuance of farmer impacts on society and were thinking on a deeper level about the survey questions at hand. Back and forth conversations flowed as new understandings helped inform the place-based impressions my fellow community members believed in. Such responses were essential pieces to include in a comprehensive outreach report I wrote outlining community impressions and how they will inform further program development. Which as a little spoiler, the WLP will focus on increasing producer awareness for the term “regenerative agriculture” given the consumer support in the marketing realm and increased government funding for such practices. 

Documenting and analyzing the feedback of local peoples was not an easy task. Many community members came from all different backgrounds and ways of life, which posed difficult to apply a one-size-fits-all theme across the collected data. However, it only took one interaction with Tom Murray, SLO Farm Farmer and LCFM Board President, to shape my perspective on rural farming and food systems moving forward. As a farmer himself, Tom understands what it takes to run a farming business in this region. He shared thoughts of how success in agriculture does not come without time, effort and high amounts of sacrifice. What I gained from his insights was a chilling realization that all types of farmers, small scale, large scale, rural and urban alike, suffer from lack of mental health support in their communities. To be a rural farmer, rancher or forester takes a certain type of dedication and grit that superimposes your life with your livelihood. If there is one thing I will take with me from my experience chatting with consumers and vendors at both farmers markets, it is building relationships with your neighboring farmers will not only strengthen local food systems and peoples, but will also shift the very framework rural societies operate on forever. 

Thank you to all the rural farmers, ranchers, foresters, and landowners I’ve met for opening my eyes to the beauty and struggles of your livelihoods. I hope I can give you the support and attention you deserve during the rest of my time as a RARE member. 

 

Headshot image of Alex Van Grunsven About the author, Alex Van Grunsven: Originally from the dairy capital of the United States, Wisconsin, Alex made the trek to the Pacific Northwest in 2017 to attend school at the University of Oregon (UO). She pursued a degree in Environmental Science and Food Studies while working with UO affiliated programs such as the First Year Interest Group program, the Urban Farm on campus and Environmental Leadership Program. Her passions lie in creating and maintaining sustainable, accessible and local food systems and agricultural operations across regional communities. Looking at the year ahead, Alex hopes to connect with as many local farmers, ranchers and landowners of the Upper Willamette Valley as possible and is eagerly awaiting any and every opportunity to grow food and spend time in the soil. She also enjoys trying foods from different cultures and exploring the hidden lands of Oregon and beyond.

Interested in gaining food systems experience of your own? Are you looking for a life changing experience in rural Oregon? Learn more about serving with the RARE AmeriCorps Program. Applications for Year 30 (2023-24) due April 30, 2023 by 11:59pm PDT.

“Getting Things Done” for Local Food in Klamath Falls

Posted on by vbinnin2

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By Sarah Akbari, Local Food Resources Coordinator, Klamath Grown & OSU Extension Service

When I moved to Klamath Falls just a few months ago, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Having only lived in the Portland and Eugene areas, I knew that moving to a rural Southern Oregon town would be a big change for me. The AmeriCorps motto is “getting things done”, so I had a strong feeling that during my service year, my work would have an impact on the community, but I couldn’t have anticipated the impact that it would have on me, as well.

I am the Local Food Resources Coordinator for Klamath Grown, a new non-profit food hub in Klamath Falls. I’m also partnering with Klamath County OSU Extension Service, an organization that uses research-based knowledge and education to promote healthy families and communities. Klamath Grown was previously known as Klamath Falls Online Marketplace (KFOM), but pivoted last year to become a food hub that provides additional support and resources for the community than solely an online market. It’s been very exciting and encouraging to be part of the local food scene here. Of course, there have been challenges along the way, but there is also a lot of impactful work being done. Moving from an urban city that has farmers markets and farm-to-table restaurants galore, it was difficult for me to conceptualize a smaller, rural town with a growing community of people passionate about local food. However, through my work, I’ve met many people, including farmers and makers, community members and business owners who desire a more sustainable food system and increased access to local food in Klamath County.

Within the first couple weeks of my service, I attended a Klamath Grown board meeting where the team was finalizing what their mission and vision statements would be. In just a few months, there has been so much change and growth within the organization. We built a team of board members and staff, re-opened the Online Market, received a competitive USDA grant, launched a new website and so much more. Being part of a non-profit from those beginning stages, to where they are now is so inspiring and I can’t wait to see what else is accomplished in my final months of service.

When I tell community members about my service work and projects, they are intrigued, wanting to know more. Based on conversations I’ve had, there are people in Klamath Falls who are interested in buying food locally and supporting producers, but might not know how. That’s where Klamath Grown comes in, to provide education, resources and year-round access to local food. This past fall, when I worked at the OSU Extension Service booth at the farmers market, I told community members about my projects. I explained to them that I am creating a digital directory of local producers that will live on Klamath Grown’s website, working on building capacity regionally and increasing access to local food. The response I got was usually along the lines of, “finally! We’ve been waiting for someone to do this work!” I’m grateful that my projects will have an impact on the community, and as I stated earlier, this community has already had a significant impact on me, as well. I’m grateful to be here, “getting things done” in Klamath Falls, partnering with Klamath Grown to help the local food scene grow and eventually thrive.

In case you were wondering, the mission statement that the team decided on at the board meeting is: “Klamath Grown’s mission is to bring people together around local food through community engagement, education, improved food access and producer support.” With the incredible team behind Klamath Grown, along with the partnership they have with other organizations in town, I think their mission showcases exactly what they are doing in the community and will continue to do for years to come. As the local food scene in Klamath Falls continues to grow and more people support local farmers, I know that their vision of “a thriving local food web accessible to all” is within reach–and I’m so glad I get to be part of it.

 

Photo of the author smiling blithely in front of a maple tree.About the author, Sarah Akbari: A native Oregonian, Sarah received her undergraduate degree in Planning, Public Policy and Management with minors in Nonprofit Administration and Global Health from University of Oregon. She has recently continued her education by completing a Graduate Certificate in Nutrition Science for Communications Professionals from Tufts University. Sarah has experience in a variety of fields, including marketing and communication, health promotion and community engagement. In her free time, she loves to cook and try new recipes, enjoy the outdoors and be active, whether that is hiking, playing tennis or dancing.

Interested in gaining food systems experience of your own? Are you looking for a life changing experience in rural Oregon? Learn more about serving with the RARE AmeriCorps Program. Applications for Year 30 (2023-24) due April 30, 2023 by 11:59pm PDT.