Each year, the Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) offers Partnership Support Grants to farmers markets in Clackamas County. These grants help markets pay for advertising, needed items like tents, tables, and portable toilets, and children’s education programs such as the Power of Produce (POP) Club and the Farm Fresh Kids Program.
Children’s education programs are a top priority for both the District’s grant review committee and Board of Directors. Children enjoy these programs and often encourage their parents to visit the markets more often. When more people attend, local farmers sell more of their products. Successful farmers are better able and more motivated to care for the soil and water on their land. This supports the District’s goals and benefits everyone who lives, works, or spends time in Clackamas County.
Please enjoy this guest post from one of the District’s recent grant recipients.
Farm Fresh Kids Program
Written by Lake Oswego Farmers Market Manager, Shelley Burgess
Several things make the Lake Oswego Farmers’ Market special, but one of our favorites is watching kids light up as they discover something new about fresh food.
That’s why we’re so grateful to the Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District for their continued support of our Farm Fresh Kids program. Their generosity helps bring this program to life each week, creating hands-on, engaging experiences that connect kids to the food they eat and the farmers who grow it.
Activities Support Children AND Farmers
Farm Fresh Kids is designed to make the market feel like a place for everyone, especially our youngest visitors. Through our “Passport to Healthy Living,” kids explore the market in a fun and interactive way. They might answer a Question of the Day, hunt for our apple mascots Betty and Roni, or jump into a hands-on activity like sampling fresh produce, learning how food grows, or exploring the journey from farm to plate.
Along the way, they’re also building a deeper understanding of the world behind their food, learning about healthy soil, composting, the role of bees and pollinators, and how small choices can support a more sustainable food system.
As they explore, kids earn tokens along the way that they can spend on farm products at the market. It’s a simple idea with a big impact: giving kids the chance to make healthy choices and interact directly with the farmers who grow their food.
Programs like this don’t happen without support. Thanks to Clackamas Soil & Water Conservation District, we’re able to continue offering meaningful, memorable experiences that help kids build curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong connection to healthy eating.
Learn More About the Farmers Market Grant Program
A list of recipients of the District’s 2026 Farmers Market Support Grants can be found here. Market managers whose market is held within Clackamas County can learn how to apply for 2027 grants by contacting Cathy McQueeney at [email protected] or at 503-998-9952.