Round up this January to support family farms! Help Friends of Family Farmers fuel programs that connect farmers to land, preserve stewardship for future generations, and empower pasture-based livestock farmers to lead the way in climate-friendly, ethical farming practices.
Friends of Family Farmers advances policies and programs that protect, promote and sustain resilient and economically viable community agricultural systems in Oregon.
Friends of Family Farmers (FoFF), founded in 2005, emerged to represent small and midsize, diversified, and community-oriented farmers who were overlooked by conventional agriculture groups. Formally incorporated in 2007, FoFF expanded from advocacy to include direct services and technical assistance, guided by farmer-led biennial listening sessions.
FoFF’s two flagship programs, Oregon Farm Link (OFL) and Oregon Pasture Network (OPN), were developed through these sessions and partnerships. OFL connects land seekers with landowners to support land access and stewardship, offering one-on-one technical assistance, particularly for BIPOC farmers and others traditionally excluded from agriculture. OPN fosters a statewide community of pasture-based livestock farmers through mentorship, educational events, and peer-to-peer learning opportunities.
Advocacy remains central to FoFF’s mission. Through legislative engagement, advocacy training, and farm tours with policymakers, FoFF ensures farmers' voices are heard in state decisions. The goal is to challenge the idea of a monolithic agricultural community and represent farmers committed to climate resilience, soil health, and sustainable farming for future generations.
Funds will be used to support the expansion of FoFF's Oregon Pasture Network and the Oregon Farm Link programming in the Southern Oregon region. As an organization headquartered in the Willamette Valley, FoFF is making a concerted effort to expand their work into regions of Oregon that previously had little or no access to FoFF's resources. They are beginning this effort in Southern Oregon as they have developed strong partnerships with organizations like the Rogue Valley Food System Network and Rusted Gate Farm. Working with these fellow nonprofits, they are partnering to host more farm tours and learning sessions that are specifically aimed at supporting Southern Oregon producers.