Local, regional and community food systems

Community food system programs

• Oregon Community Food Systems Network: The Oregon Community Food Systems Network (OCFSN) is a partner of OSU Extension. OCFSN is a collaboration of 57 nonprofit organizations dedicated to strengthening local and regional food systems to deliver better economic, social, health, and environmental outcomes across the state.
• Center for Small Farms & Community Food Systems: 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.
• Farm to School: Farm to School supports Oregon's farmers, creates jobs, and strengthens local economies. It helps kids by providing access to and teaching them about fresh foods. It increases access to local healthy foods in schools, and it is stewarding the land for future generations.
• OSU Small Farms: The goal of the Small Farms program is to improve the economic and environmental sustainability of small farms by employing appropriate scale production and marketing techniques.

Latest Resources

Photo courtesy of Julie Burton (Cropped from original)

Farm Lab-DREAMS Campus with Julie Burton

Listen in on our conversation with Julie Burton and the amazing story of establishing a certified organic farm in the farm to school program in Encinitas, California.

Michelle Markesteyn, PhD, Rick Sherman | Dec 2024 | Podcast episode Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Selling your farm products through the Farm to School program

This article includes information for farmers considering getting started selling their farm products through Oregon's Farm to School Program.

Evie Smith | Dec 2024 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Photo courtesy of Sam Green (Cropped from original)

Growing food changes lives: A discussion with Big Green’s Sam Koentopp

Many organizations provide educational programming for school gardens across the USA. But what about the infrastructure of building the garden? How do you start? In this episode we hear how Big Green has a goal to start one million gardens with their home gardening kits!

Michelle Markesteyn, PhD, Rick Sherman | Dec 2024 | Podcast episode Peer reviewed (Gray level)