Hood River County now has the most expensive farmland in the state. Accessing land for beginning farmers is difficult throughout the region. Gorge Grown convenes bi-state initiative that includes 15+ organizations working together to make sure farmland is protected and accessible for generations to come.
Co-Chairs: Sarah Sullivan, Gorge Grown Executive Director and Chantel Welch, American Farmland Trust Senior Program Manager.
Participating organizations convening quarterly include:
- Oregon Agricultural Trust. OAT has prioritized farmland preservation in the Mid-Columbia region including Juniper Flat, Parkdale, and Sherman Plateau.
- Raices Farmers Cooperative, a project of The Next Door Inc. in Hood River
- Columbia Land Trust recently preserved 40 acres of farmland in Troutlake WA using an innovative new approach to farm conservation called Buy-Protect-Sell. They also ensure that land is accessible to indigenous first food gatherers and stewards.
- 1000 Friends of Oregon
- Thrive Hood River
- Washington State Conservation Commission
- Hood River Soil and Water Conservation District
- Washington Farmland Trust
- Friends of Family Farmers
- Oregon Community Food Systems Network – Farming for the Future
Seeking farmland or want to share, lease or sell?
Email us at communications(at)gorgegrown.com
Resources for Farm or Land Seekers and those looking to lease or sell farmland:
Resource database for Oregon Farmers
Oregon Ag Trust resources and toolkits
See our Food Business Incubator page for more resources!