If you’ve ever wondered where the next generation of organic farmers is coming from, look no further than Clackamas Community College’s (CCC) Organic Farming Certificate Program. This one-year program focuses on following the seasons and giving students hands-on farming experience while building the practical business skills they need to run a successful farm.

This September, the organic community across Oregon and Washington is coming together for Pacific Northwest Organic Week, a regional celebration of organic food, farming and the people who make it all possible. 

The California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) Foundation believes in organic as a powerful solution for building climate resilience, protecting environmental health and improving local and rural food systems. Their vision is simple but ambitious: a world where organic is the norm.

Growing Gardens works to improve our food system, community health and wellness, and soil health using gardening as their tool.

“All our work and education are based in organic growing practices, because the health and wellness of the soil directly impact your health and wellness,” shared Growing Garden’s Executive Director Jason Skipton. “This delicate dynamic between how you treat your soil and your plants is a reflection on how your body will be treated and react in return.”

It’s Earth Month, so we’re featuring Corvallis Environmental Center (CEC). They’re on a mission to educate, engage and inspire people to create healthy, sustainable communities through food and agriculture education and nature and play-based learning.

This year, Ecotrust is celebrating 35 years of working at the intersection of equity, economy and the environment. Their work aims to make an impact across the region, from southeast Alaska down to Northern California. Ecotrust’s projects bring frontline communities, who have deep knowledge of the issues, together with the organizations working to address them. Like Organically Grown Company, Ecotrust focuses on strengthening the regional food system, bolstering environmental stewardship and investing in community. 

“With two thirds of Oregon’s agriculture land changing hands over the next decade, we have a unique opportunity to change what a farmer looks like and who gets to thrive,” shared Qiddist Ashé, co-founder and executive director of Black Oregon Land Trust (BOLT). 

Outgrowing Hunger nurtures connection to nature, food and community. Based in Portland and Gresham they build and operate farms and gardens for refugees, immigrants and anyone who cares about affordable access to real food. They work alongside communities to help people reach their highest potential for health, abundance and well-being.

x̌ast sq̓it (hast squeit) means “good rain” in the language of the sngaytskstx (Sinixt), the Arrow Lakes Peoples. Farm founder Michelle Week, of Sinixt ancestry, explains her perspective: “I feel like a steward, not an owner, of the farm. The plants are the bosses; I’m just the caretaker. The focus of the farm is to contribute to our region’s food sources and uphold Native food sovereignty.”

On a patch of Oregon State University land in Corvallis, the OSU Organic Growers Club is cultivating much more than fruits, vegetables and herbs. It’s a hands-on learning ground where students get to experience what it really takes to grow organically, from planting and harvesting to running a CSA.

“Our work is all about transforming the food system and getting more organic, sustainably grown food on people’s plates,” shared Melissa Spear, Tilth’s executive director. “There’s a lot of joy in what we do. We also love teaming up with partners like OGC – I even served on the advisory committee for Organicology this year!”

Walk into Astoria Co-op these days and you’ll notice something right away: the produce department pops. That’s thanks to a recent upgrade to their wet rack shelving and the addition of LED lighting – a project that got a big boost from OGC’s Mission Fund.