Soil Health Network
Photo Credit: Blue Raven Farm by Jamie Thrower
About the Network
OrCAN brings together partners including Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs), OSU Extension, nonprofits, state and federal agencies, and researchers across Oregon to align resources and meet farmers’ needs on the ground. We build relationships inclusive of Black, Indigenous, and other Farmers of Color (BIPOC), small and large scale producers, conventional and organic growers, and more.
1,130+
People engaged in
OrCAN's network
437
Farm service providers
318
Producers
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An Inclusive, Collaborative Soil Health Network
We are building an inclusive, collaborative statewide Soil Health Network to promote soil health for climate resilience, with a focus on meeting the needs of historically marginalized and under-resourced producers.
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The network aims to increase implementation of soil health practices on Oregon’s farms and ranches by:
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Streamlining Resources: Relevant, and accessible tools to support producers in implementing soil health practices
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Fostering Connection: Opportunities for peer support, inspiration, and learning for producers
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Building Capacity: Increasing capacity for farm service providers to meet producers' needs
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Strengthening Alignment: Enhancing collaboration and innovation among farm service providers
Soil Health Network Partners
Regional Hub Leads
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Portland Metro: Rowan Steele, East Multnomah SWCD
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Mid Willamette Valley: Cesar Zamora, Marion SWCD
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South Willamette Valley: Penny Feltner, Coast Fork Willamette Watershed Council
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South Central Coast: Rhonda Black, Umpqua SWCD
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Rogue Valley: Rhianna Simes, Rogue Valley Food System Network, in collaboration with Josh Bilbao of Jackson SWCD and Nan Xu of OSU Extension
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Southeast: Jason Kesling, Harney SWCD
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Central: Ellen Hammond, Jefferson SWCD
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Northeast: Jim Webster, Union SWCD
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Northeast: West Lambert, Tiichám Conservation District
​Culturally-Specific Support Organizations
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Javier Urenda Camacho, Adelante Mujeres
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shiny flanary, Black Food Sovereignty Coalition
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Alisha Howard, Ecotrust Food Systems Equity
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Nikita Vincent, Mid-Willamette Valley BIPOC Farmers Co-op
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Statewide Resource People
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Shannon Cappellazzi, OSU Organic Agriculture Program
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Nathan Stacey, OSU Small Farms Program
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Jericho Winter, Oregon USDA NRCS
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plus more
Soil Health Network Map
If you or your organization would like to get involved, please complete our Network Engagement Survey and contact Sage at sage (at) oregonclimateag.org.
Thank you to Upper Willamette Soil and Water Conservation District for their support of the Coast Fork Willamette Watershed Council Regional Hub.