My Favorite Farm-centric Charities

It is the gift giving time of year and if you’re thinking about  charitable contributions I’d encourage you to consider these groups for all the incredible things they do to help farmers!!

Zenger Farm: An amazing educational farm in SE Portland, they have recently launched a new capital campaign to build an “Urban Grange” with more classroom & kitchen space to teach more kids!

Friends of Family Farmers: They hit the road two years ago to listen to the stories of family farmers all over the state and used those conversations to create the Agricultural Reclamation Act which charts the course forward  for socially responsible farming in Oregon. Since then they’ve had great success lobbying (and occasionally litigating) to make real progress for sustainable farmers!

Slow Food Portland: What I love about this group is how they bring it all together with their motto – Good, Clean & Fair Food. They wrap traditional environmental ethics, social justice and sustainable farming up into a tasty package and work on all the issues together  – yum!

1000 Friends of Oregon: Protection of farmland is foundational – we couldn’t be farming without it and nobody works harder than this group to protect farmland in Oregon!!

Yamhill Enrichment Society: Almost as soon as we started farming at Grand Island Susan Sokol-Blosser, founder of YES, called me up and invited me to participate in their Bounty of the County farm fundraising event. I’ve been hooked ever since! In addition to their Food & Agriculture projects the non-profit also supports the Arts, Education, History and Community in Yamhill County.

Oregon Environmental Council: I have been so impressed with the Sustainable Food & Farms program at OEC! They work really hard to reach across aisle in Salem and promote innovative partnerships to support great programs like OSU extension, Pesticide Stewardship and Ag Water Quality.

Farmers Market Fund: Everyone deserves access to fresh, healthy local food and this companion charitable organization to the Portland Farmers Market is helping to make that happen! Your donation provides SNAP recipients with additional matching funds so that they can afford more healthy food from local farmers.

Portland Fruit Tree Project: This grass roots group harvests from fruit trees in the community and donates the produce to food banks and volunteers. Such a simple idea, but so powerful in it’s ability to bring neighbors together, prevent waste and feed people!