Building an Inclusive Soil Health Network
We bring together statewide partners including SWCDs, OSU Extension, OSU researchers, state and federal agencies, and nonprofits across Oregon to align resources and meet farmers’ needs on the ground. We build relationships inclusive of Black, Indigenous, and other Farmers of Color (BIPOC), small and large scale producers, conventional and organic growers, and more.
​
At the January 2025 Oregon Soil Health Summit, we officially launched our Soil Health Network! Our plans for the network are summarized here. If you or your organization would like to get involved, please complete our Network Engagement Survey if you have not already and contact Sage at sage (at) oregonclimateag.org.
​
Thank you to all who participated in the planning process. From January-May 2024, twenty-five Oregonians, led by OrCAN, worked together to clarify the structure of an inclusive, collaborative statewide network designed to promote soil health, with a focus on meeting the needs of historically marginalized and under-resourced producers.
Photo Credit: Stoneboat Farm by Jamie Thrower
Improving Information and Tools, and Catalyzing Place-Based Technical Assistance
With over 35,000 farms across the state, we think the best strategy to reach them is to work with the existing ecosystem of trusted agricultural service providers and influential producers. We see a need for Oregon’s agricultural service provider community to provide a holistic suite of support services, from financial incentives to a variety of educational opportunities, because every farm has different needs. We believe that if producers have adequate technical and financial resources and a network of supportive peers, they are more likely to successfully implement the holistic land management practices and plans that result in healthy soils.
​
We are collaborating with existing farm service providers in Oregon who farmers trust and rely on—from soil and water conservation districts to beginning farmer education programs. Click here for more information on our Train the Trainer: Farming for Climate Resilience workshops held in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
​
In January 2025, we hosted the Oregon Soil Health Summit, the first-ever gathering of Oregon’s agricultural community to promote soil health for climate mitigation and resilience on Oregon’s farms and ranches! We shared state-wide resources and programs, created opportunities for collaboration, and identified gaps and needs. The Summit included two Keynote presentations, soil health science workshops, a producer panel, funding opportunities, lots of networking time, and the launch of the Soil Health Network. Read more about the Oregon Soil Health Summit.
​
Are you a farmer or farm service provider Interested in participating in OrCAN’s network? Fill out our survey here! By building our network, we’ve identified agriculture producers in each region of the state, representing a variety of farm sizes and types, with interest in a variety of soil health practices.
Photo Credit: Spring Alaska Schreiner of Sakari Farms by Jamie Thrower
Advancing Institutionalized Support for Soil Health and Climate Resilience
OrCAN is working to create systemic change by advocating for strong policy to advance soil health and climate resilience on Oregon's farms and ranches. During the 2023 legislative session we engaged with farmers and ranchers and the conservation community and successfully advocated for $10M for Oregon’s Natural Climate Solutions Funds, providing financial incentives and technical assistance to farmers and ranchers for the adoption of natural climate solutions, including soil health practices. And we advocated for and have helped to develop Oregon’s Farmer and Rancher Disaster Resilience Grants which has made $2.6M available for projects and practices that make farms and ranches more resilient to climate impacts such as heat, smoke and drought. During the 2025 legislative session we're advocating for renewal of these funds and other key programs and are simultaneously advocating for federal funding for state soil health programs, which Oregon is well positioned to receive.
Our work at both the federal and state levels is focused on providing new opportunities that work for farmers and ranchers in Oregon. As these policies and programs are developed and implemented we’ll do our best to ensure they advance soil health, are practical for farmers, and support an equitable food system--engaging farmers in every step of the process.