Oregon Tilth Inc

ORGANIC EDUCATION PROGRAM: THROUGH EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES, THE ORGANIZATION PROMOTES FOOD PRODUCTION PRACTICES THAT CONSERVE NATURAL RESOURCES, ENHANCE RESILIENCE TO CLIMATE CHANGE, AND FOSTER HEALTHY, EQUITABLE COMMUNITIES. KEY STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS INCLUDE A JOINT STAFF POSITION WITH THE USDA NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE TO IMPROVE CONSERVATION PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR TRANSITIONING AND ORGANIC FARMERS, AND COLLABORATION WITH OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY TO INFORM RESEARCH, TRAINING AND TOOLS TO SUPPORT ORGANIC AND COMMUNITY-BASED FOOD SYSTEMS. THE ORGANIZATION SERVES AS THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST REGIONAL LEAD FOR USDAS TRANSITION TO ORGANIC PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM (TOPP). THE PROGRAM BUILDS ON EXISTING COLLABORATIONS AND CULTIVATES NEW PARTNERSHIPS WITH SERVICE PROVIDERS, PUBLIC AGENCIES, RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, AND INDUSTRY LEADERS TO EXPAND KNOWLEDGE AND STRENGTHEN SUPPORT FOR TRANSITIONING FARMERS AND ORGANIC AGRICULTURE. INITIATIVES LIKE FARMER-TO-FARMER MENTORSHIP, INDIVIDUAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, EDUCATIONAL FIELD DAYS, AND ACCESSIBLE WEBINARS ARE DESIGNED TO GROW THE ORGANIC SECTOR. ADDITIONALLY, THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUED ITS KNOW YOUR COST TO GROW PROGRAM IN SIX SOUTHERN STATES, OFFERING BUSINESS PLANNING TRAINING AND TOOLS TO HELP ORGANIC FARMS REMAIN ECONOMICALLY VIABLE WHILE CONTRIBUTING POSITIVELY TO THE ENVIRONMENT.THE ORGANIZATION IS COMMITTED TO DIVERSIFYING ITS STAFF, LEADERSHIP, AND THE BROADER ORGANIC SECTOR. IN 2023, PARTNERSHIPS WITH TRIBAL ORGANIZATIONS AND GROUPS SERVING LATINO AND IMMIGRANT FAMILIES INVESTED IN COMMUNITY EVENTS, OUTREACH, STORYTELLING, AND DIRECT SUPPORT TO REMOVE BARRIERS AND BRING RESOURCES TO THESE HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. A NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH PAUL QUINN COLLEGE, A DALLAS-BASED HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGE, WILL PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH REAL-WORLD WORK EXPERIENCE WHILE REDUCING THEIR RELIANCE ON STUDENT LOANS.THE ORGANIZATION WORKS IN STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS TO SHAPE PUBLIC POLICY AND GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVELS. IN 2023, THE ORGANIZATION COLLABORATED WITH ADVOCACY PARTNERS TO ENGAGE LEGISLATORS, AGENCY LEADERS, AND UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATORS THROUGH WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS, ORAL TESTIMONY, AS WELL AS ONLINE AND IN-PERSON MEETINGS. THIS EFFORT CONTRIBUTED TO A LANDMARK INVESTMENT IN OREGON STATE UNIVERSITYS ORGANIC EXTENSION PROGRAM, RESULTING IN A THREEFOLD INCREASE IN STAFFING CAPACITY. BY CONNECTING POLICYMAKERS AND ADMINISTRATORS WITH THE ORGANIC COMMUNITY, THE ORGANIZATION HELPS ENSURE THE SECTORS VALUES AND NEEDS ARE REPRESENTED IN DECISIONS THAT ADVANCE ORGANIC RESEARCH AND EDUCATION, EXPAND MARKETS, AND PROMOTE ORGANIC PRACTICES THAT PROVIDE ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND ECONOMIC BENEFITS.