Oregon Tilth forms Partnership with OSU Small Farms Program
Oregon Tilth and Oregon State University (OSU) Small Farms Program has solidified a long-term partnership with each other to mutually benefit each organization and organic farmers. Focusing on four targeted areas to benefit small organic farmers.
In a timely convergence, the OSU Small Farms Program and Oregon Tilth have formed an innovative partnership. Using funding support from Oregon Tilth, the partnership creates a framework for the OSU Small Farms Program to enhance Oregon Tilth’s research and education efforts in support of organic farmers. The funding is relieving a portion of the recession-related budget reductions to the Small Farms Program.
At this time, the partnership has four areas targeted:
• Cover crop research by OSU in organic systems including
development of a Cover Crop Calculator
• Education for beginning farmers through OSU’s Growing
Farms: Successful Whole Farm Management series
• Education for organic and transitional farmers through
Organic Day at the North Willamette Horticulture Society annual
meeting
• And, an ongoing needs assessment of organic farmers by OSU to set a
research and education agenda for the future.
Oregon Tilth brings to the partnership a deep understanding of organic market trends, the regulatory environment and industry connections. OSU brings the ability to leverage well-established resources and infrastructure in outreach, education and research.
