The Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District is proud to support to our local farmers markets with its 2022 Farmers Markets Support Grants. Clackamas County farmers markets are well represented in both rural and urban parts of our District. They provide their communities with locally grown, produced, and crafted agricultural and forestry products. Visit your local market soon!
How Does the District Support Farmers Markets?
On Tuesday, April 19, 2022, the Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Directors unanimously approved farmers market partnership support grants totaling $10,000. These grants will be distributed to seven farmers markets within the District’s boundaries.
This year, the District’s support funding will be used by markets to:
- Provide free, weekly tokens to children who participate in Power of Produce (POP) Clubs or other programs that support children’s agricultural education. This money goes directly to producers who sell fruits and vegetables or plants that produce fruits and vegetables.
- Enable markets to offer matching or bonus funds for participants in Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the Farm Direct Nutrition Program. These matching funds can only be used to purchase local produce, which in turn helps farmers be more profitable.
- Offer sustainability education and new business incubator programs.
- Create signage and other promotional materials to advertise and promote individual markets.
The District provides informational handouts for the markets to share with their patrons. We also promotes the markets via social media and visit each market to talk directly with customers and vendors about a wide variety of conservation issues. The District frequently sets up informational displays at markets to share the different programs it offers to our local community.
Why Does the District Support Farmers Markets?
Farmers markets provide valuable points of sale for local agricultural producers, increasing their economic success. Financially successful farmers have an increased incentive and ability to care for their farms. By conserving water and soil resources and maintaining healthy habitat, they are investing in their future. Success also helps farmers keep their land in agricultural production. That’s good for the farm, native wildlife, water quality, and you!
Additionally, farmers markets are well-positioned to provide food, farm, and natural resource education to adults and children. Learning about the value of nutritious, fresh, and healthy whole foods is good for public health, our agricultural producers, and our environment.
2022 Farmers Market Grants
Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District will provide partnership grant awards to the following markets for the 2022 season:
- Hoodland Farmers Market
- Lake Oswego Farmers Market
- Milwaukie Sunday Farmers Market
- Mount Hood Farmers Market
- Oregon City Year-Round Farmers Market
- Redland Grange Farmers Market
- West Linn Farmers Market
Not all farmers markets in Clackamas County choose to participate in our partnership support grant program this year. Additional markets in our district include:
- Estacada Farmers Market
- Happy Valley Farmers Market
- Molalla Farmers Market
- Wilsonville Farmers Market
For more information about the Clackamas SWCD Farmers Market Support Grant Program, please contact Cathy McQueeney at 503-210-6012.