Policy & Advocacy
Photo Credit: Stoneboat Farm by Jamie Thrower
Advancing Institutionalized Support for Soil Health and Climate Resilience
OrCAN is working to create systemic change by advocating for strong policy to advance soil health and climate resilience on Oregon's farms and ranches. We do so by engaging with farmers and ranchers in every step of the process.
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Our historic advocacy wins:
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$10 million for Oregon’s Natural Climate Solutions Funds, providing financial incentives and technical assistance to farmers and ranchers for the adoption of natural climate solutions, including soil health practices. This funding launched the state’s first grant program providing payment for agricultural practices carbon sequestration benefits.
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$2.6 million for Oregon’s Farmer and Rancher Disaster Resilience Grants which OrCAN helped develop, funding projects and practices that make farms and ranches more resilient to climate impacts such as heat, smoke and drought.
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Our work at both the federal and state levels is focused on providing new opportunities that work for farmers and ranchers in Oregon. As these policies and programs are developed and implemented we’ll do our best to ensure they advance soil health, are practical for farmers, and support an equitable food system.
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Current projects:
We’re engaging in the Governor’s Plan for a Resilient Oregon, a people-centered resilience strategy to help communities around Oregon adapt and thrive in the face of increasingly more severe disasters. And we advise on the State’s work to advance natural climate solutions in Oregon in our role on the Oregon Climate Action Commission's Natural and Working Lands Advisory Committee.
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If you would like to engage in state or federal policy, or have questions or concerns about any policy issues, please contact Sophie at: sophie (at) oregonclimateag.org