12/25/24 - Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares the news affecting small farmers in America, including a focus on the UDSA investing millions of dollars to advance research and extension activities aimed to solves challenges with specialty crop and organic agriculture producers, the latest information regarding the avian flu and it’s latest affects on turkeys and egg producers, and testing requirements for bird flu cases among dairy cows. Then, we’re introduced to Rowan Steele, Headwaters Farm Program Manager with East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District (EMSWCD) in Oregon. Understanding the difficulty for anyone who is not a big land owner, or comes from a family to inherit land, to get into farming and agriculture, EMSWCD aims to help. Headwaters Farm is the site of the District’s exciting Headwaters Incubator Program, which seeks to aid the development of new farm businesses by providing affordable access to land and farm resources. The 60-acre property on the outskirts of Gresham, is owned and managed by EMSWCD. EMSWCD values diversity and equity within their incubator program. They encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds and traditionally underserved communities to apply. Headwaters Farm Incubator Program is designed to assist in the development of new farmers. The program involves leasing out sections of EMSWCD’s Headwaters Farm to motivated, experienced individuals who will use it as a launching pad for their own farming endeavors. Lastly, Doug opines how vital family owned farming operations and the department of agriculture’s lack for assistance, the growing need for farmers to get off-farm jobs to sustain their crops, and the importance local farms play in our health. 

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