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Rural Economic Development

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Economics and Enterprise: Financial Considerations of Rural Life

By Rachel Werling and Max Bennett

People own land for many reasons, from farming as a hobby to ranching or timber production as a business. Whatever the reason, economics is always part of the picture. Learn about the financial aspects of property ownership, including zoning and tax deferrals, income possibilities for forested land, enterprise possibilities and conservation easements.

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Farming Resources

Oregon Community Food Systems by the Numbers: Oregon's Farmers Markets (in English)

Examines the impact of farmers markets in low-income areas of Oregon with low access to supermarkets. One in a series of fact sheets that monitors trends and changes in various dimensions of the food system. Growing Farms ...

Mallory Rahe, Lauren Gwin | Aug 2018 | OSU Extension Catalog

How Much Can I Charge for My Farm Products? (in English)

Determining the “right” pricing for your products can be challenging for new and experienced farmers and ranchers. Several variables — including cost of production, competition, customer makeup and season — affect pricing. ...

Heidi Noordijk, Maud Powell, Larry Lev | Sep 2022 | OSU Extension Catalog

Increasing Farm Viability Through Agritourism and On-Farm Direct Sales: An Oregon Producer Survey (in English)

Agritourism with on-farm direct sales is a way for farms to increase their business success. This survey of Oregon producers explores how small and midsized farms are expanding beyond basic production, adding value and claiming more consumer support.

Mary Stewart, Audrey Comerford, Bruce Sorte, Sam Angima | Jul 2021 | OSU Extension Catalog

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OSU Open Campus, a community-based education partnership convened by Oregon State University, provides local access to learning in order to address the unique educational needs of Oregon’s communities. Through a statewide network of Open Campus education coordinators and partners, the university delivers education to underserved and place-bound Oregonians.

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Latest Resources

EEAC Keynote: PACE and OHCC's Transformative Workforce Development (in English)

Join John Buzzard, PACE Marketing and Multimedia Designer, and Karen Taylor, Instructional Designer for PACE, as they discuss their successful multiagency collaboration with the Oregon Health Care Commission. Hear how together, they ...

Jan 2023 | Video

Number of Small Farms Increases Faster in Oregon than US

A higher percentage of all farms in Oregon are small farms with less than 10 acres (33.3% of all Oregon farms and 13.4% of all US farms). These small farms are the fastest growing farm size in the state and increased 7.6% from 2012 (increased 2.8% nationally).

Mallory Rahe | Apr 2019 | Article

Agriculture is a Concentrated Industry in Oregon and the US

2.5% of all farms in Oregon produced 69.7% of all agricultural products sold, compared to 3.9% of all farms producing 69.3% of all sales nationally. Total sales by farms selling $1 million or more increased 5% in Oregon, and increased 1.9% nationally from 2012 to 2017.

Mallory Rahe | Apr 2019 | Article

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WealthWorks in Practice - Rural Wealth Creation

By Mallory Rahe and Amy Hause

This video series introduces the three guiding goals and major components of implementing a rural wealth creation approach to local economic development known as WealthWorks. These goals include selecting a sector and defining a market opportunity, mapping and a value chain and analyzing market demand.

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Latest News

‘Agripeneurs’ course creates regional market for local seed producers

The project team offered a training course, “Growing Seed Agripreneurs,” at the OSU Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center (SOREC) and conducted research on the barriers and challenges to creating a regional market for local seed producers.

Maud Powell | Jul 2022 | Impact story

Career Connect Day draws 200 students and job seekers in eastern Oregon

On April 28, 2021, the first Career Connect Day brought together students in Umatilla and Morrow counties, as well as adult job seekers.

Amanda Bielenberg | Jun 2022 | Impact story

OSU Extension supports small-scale and historically marginalized farmers

The Oregon Community Food Systems Network (OCFSN) has been an integral part of building and maintaining the institutional infrastructure essential for the network’s activities and topical working groups.

Lauren Gwin | Mar 2022 | Impact story

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More Rural Economic Development Resources

  • Center for small farms & Community food systems (in English): This OSU College of Agriculture program works towards advancing sustainable agriculture, community food systems, and economic progress for Oregon's farmers and ranchers, as well as providing a leading-edge experience for students.
  • Rural Community Assistance Center (in English): A nonprofit organization that provides training, technical and financial resources and advocacy so rural communities can achieve their goals. Since 1978, our dedicated staff and active board, coupled with our key values: leadership, collaboration, commitment, quality and integrity, have helped effect positive change in rural communities across the West.
  • Economic Development Administration (in English): The U.S. Economic Development Administration's investment policy is designed to establish a foundation for sustainable job growth and the building of durable regional economies throughout the United States.
  • Rural Studies Program (in English): The Rural Studies Program at Oregon State University focuses its multi-disciplinary teaching, outreach and research program on critical issues affecting rural people and places.

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Upcoming Events

Apr 25

Value Added Producer Grant Information Session

5:30 pm - 6:30 pm PDT Online
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Meet Our Experts

Didgette McCracken
Open Campus and Agriculture Faculty

Contact me with educational and community development questions as well as agriculture questions.

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Rebecca Thistlethwaite
NMPAN Program Manager

Contact for meat sales, science, & processing questions.

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