Local, regional and community food systems

OSU Extension is engaged in the local, regional, and community food systems movement. This page provides information, educational resources, and applied research related to building equitable, health-promoting, and ecologically and economically resilient food systems across Oregon.

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 fresh and healthy foods and teaching them about fresh foods. It increases access to local healthy foods...
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. The program works toward improving small farm ...

How Much Can I Charge for My Farm Products?

By Teagan Moran, Heidi Noordijk, Maud Powell and Larry Lev

Determining the “right” pricing for your products can be challenging for new and experienced farmers and ranchers. This publication outlines some key considerations that should affect what you charge.

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Photo Credit: just.b photography - Adobe Stock (Cropped from original)

Videos

When a Crisis Revives the Dead: A Community Comes Together to Create a Food Pantry

Just when you thought that program was dead in the water and you wondered how you would finish that final grant write up....boom! Catastrophe strikes just in time to engage its revival. The story of the establishment of the Boardman Food Pantry was a tale such as this.

Anna Browne | Jan 2021 | Video

Shop at the Dock Garibaldi: Interview with Amanda Cavitt of the Garibaldi Bistro

Meet Amanda Cavitt, the General Manager of the Garibaldi Portside Bistro. She shares her insights on keeping seafood on the menu during the COVID-19 pandemic, how they prepare their smoked albacore tuna melt, and her advice for learning how cook seafood at home.

Amanda Gladics | May 2020 | Video

Shop at the Dock Garibaldi: An Interview with Julia Wentzel from Food Roots

Meet Julia Wentzel of Food Roots and learn more about their Farm Table store and how you can access flash frozen, locally caught seafood in Tillamook County during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Amanda Gladics | May 2020 | Video

Featured Resources

Seasonality Chart: What's in Season in the Region

From fruits to flowers and meat to fiber, this chart will help determine what agriculture products are in season and available directly from farms in the Willamette Valley region.

Mary Stewart, Colton Harms | Aug 2019 | Fact Sheet Peer reviewed (Gray level)

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Latest News

OSU Extension Small Farms Program among nation’s best

The program works toward improving small-farm horticultural production and small-scale livestock, poultry and forage production.

Lauren Gwin | Apr 2024 | Impact story

Linn County families receive local food through unique Extension partnership

The project started in early December, when Extension was awarded a $5,000 local food procurement grant from Linn County Public Health.

Chris Branam | Mar 1, 2024 | News story

Farm-to-school field trips teach Marion County students about local food system

The field trip program engaged 513 third grade students over three weeks. According to post-event evaluations, 80% of teachers or chaperones rated the field trips a 5 out of 5 for their students.

Carly Kristofik, Kelly Noack | Feb 2024 | Impact story

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Latest Resources

Growing Gardens Summit: Part 2

Join Rick "on assignment" as he travels to the Growing School Gardens Summit, in San Diego California. Rick interviews a dozen people with amazing stories. This is part TWO of a four-part series.

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

Growing School Gardens Summit Part 1

Join Rick "on assignment" as he travels to the Growing School Gardens Summit, in San Diego California. Rick interviews a dozen people with amazing stories. This is part one of a four-part series.

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

How do I buy fresh seafood from the fishing boats?

Q: Buying seafood directly from commercial fishing vessels is a great way to get fresh seafood. Oregon Sea Grant has several resources that provide helpful overviews.

A: View answer | View all featured questions

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Agritourism

Organic agriculture

Farm food safety

Food security

Home food preservation

Nutrition and healthy eating

Upcoming Events

May 10

Plant Sale – Umatilla County Master Gardeners

4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Pendleton, OR

Jun 5

The dehydrated harvest: for farmers selling value-added products

11:00 am - 1:00 pm Cottage Grove, OR

Jun 11

Garnett’s Red Prairie Farm Tour

3:30 pm - 5:30 pm Sheridan, OR

Jun 14

Bee Charmed Farm Tour

10:00 am - 12:00 pm Albany, OR

Meet Our Experts

Shannon Caplan

OSU Open Campus, Rural Community Explorer Program/Department of Human Development & Family Sciences, Assistant Professor of Practice, SNAP-Ed state team

Diane Choplin

Small Farms Education Program Assistant 2

Dr. Berit Dinsdale

Postdoctoral Researcher

Contact me to discuss desired programming and educational needs related to irrigation and water quality in Oregon agriculture.

Lauren Gwin

Community Food Systems Specialist

Have a question? Ask Extension!

Ask Extension is a way for you to get answers from the Oregon State University Extension Service. We have experts in family and health, community development, food and agriculture, coastal issues, forestry, programs for young people, and gardening.

Ask us a question

Can I sell my homemade pies?

Q: I know that I am allowed to sell fruit pies without a license under the home bakery license exemption, but I was not completely clear on if this includes pumpkin and pecan pies as well. Thank you!

A: View answer | View all featured questions

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