Gorge Grown supports several groups of farmers and ranchers engaged in building communities of practice called producer working groups. Producer working groups are informal gatherings of farmers and ranchers that come together to share information on common challenges and find collaborative solutions to regional problems.
Working groups are centered loosely on different agricultural products and are meant to serve as a supportive space that allows for networking, resource-sharing, and cooperation on larger projects. The end goal in facilitating producer working groups is to create self-sustaining informal associations that equip growers with knowledge, skills, and tools they need to succeed. Gorge Grown facilitates several producer working groups focused on key production niches to work toward solutions for our unique regional challenges.
Why participate in Producer Working Groups?
Producer working groups are a tried and proven method of improving success rates of growers who participate and conditions for regional agricultural business in general. Noted benefits from a producer working group project conducted by Value Chain Partners in Iowa included:
- A place for farmers and ranchers to share knowledge, advice, and news
- Access to niche-specific workshops and speakers locally!
- Identifying and implementing opportunities to work together on projects of mutual benefit
- Investing pooled resources, including monetary support, supplies, and equipment
- Collaborative searches for project funding
Producer Working Group Project Partners?
Gorge Grown is fortunate to have a host of knowledgeable and connected project partners who help make producer working groups useful for all growers who participate.
- Washington State University Extension
- Oregon State University Extension
- Underwood Conservation District
- Wasco County Soil & Water Conservation District
- The Next Door / Nuestra Communidad Sana
There are several Producer Working Groups each with a unique focus
- The Latino Farmers PWG, facilitated in cooperation with Nuestra Communidad Sana
- Niche Meat Producers’ Working Group
- Organic Fruit Producers’ Working Group
- Vegetable Producers’ Working Group
- Bean + Grain Producers’ Working Group
- Value Added Producers’ Working Group
- Flower Growers Working Group
These groups communicate through Google Group Listservs (an electronic mailing list). To join a group, please send a request to communications@gorgegrown.com.