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Demo Farm
Currently we are searching for the right candidate to help lead our Demonstration Farm Project. See the attached PDF for the job announcement.
Job Announcement
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Improving Oregon...one farm at a time
The Berggren Demonstration Farm, located along the McKenzie River, is a new collaborative project located on 92 acres east of Springfield, Oregon. This project offers the unique benefits of:
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Maintaing the McKenzie River as a source of clean drinking water
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Strengthening the local agricultural and food communities in Lane County
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Working towards a sustainable agriculture
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Integrating riparian conservation and farming
Of the 92 acres, the Demo Farm project will be working with over 50 acres of critical habitat that includes more than a mile of McKenzie River Frontage |
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And the goal is...
The mission of this Farm is to support the goal of measuring the balance between watershed health and human use over time and to implement actions that maintain a healthy balance for production of exceptional water quality.
This can be accomplished by demonstrating farming practices that are:
Conservation education, demonstration farming techniques, and land management approaches will encourage long-term solutions for protecting the McKenzie River and its environmental qualities.
With the success of this project we hope to build a foundation for future projects, and to enhance and educate local communites for many years to come. |
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Keeping the Agricultural Career Alive
Willamette Valley farmland is endangered. Nearly half of Oregon farmers work second jobs because the income generated by farming is not enough to sustain their families. These staggering conditions discourage young farmers.
By utuiizing this land for optimal results we can create long term effects for a sustainable agricultural future.
The Demonstration Farm provides a wide selection of vegetation that will utuilize a variety of methods for growth and enhancement. This land has:
- Open farm fields with surrounding tree and shrub communities
- Partially treed savannas in open meadows
- Established cottonwood dominated floodplain forests and woodlands
- A Pond that occupies nearly an acre of land, with wetland vegetation
The diversity of this land, along with its thriving plants, will provide a unique opportunity to grow, learn, and accomidate farming techniques required to enhance this project. |
Locally Run
Locally Improved
The desire to improve upon our communities here in Oregon is strong. We feel that Oregon offers such a great variety of land, climates, and landscapes, that it is necessary to preserve these natural resources for many years to come.
Healthy, intact ecosystems not only enhance environmental health, but also provide the exceptionally clean drinking water for which Oregon is famous. Furthermore, Oregon residents recognize the value of family farms and the impact they have on local markets. Local markets strengthen a sense of community by connecting food producers with consumers.
This project is working towards a goal of improving the overall function of farming techniques in a wetland environment, with key factors to consider:
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Functional native riparian ecosystems protect critical habitat, preserve ecological processes, and are essential for maintaining environmental and human health, including clean drinking water.
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Community food systems connect producers and consumers, strengthen commitment to a vibrant farm economy, improve human health and ensure the availability of fresh, locally produced food.
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Sustainable farming practices make environmental and economic sense, and keep farmers farming by reducing input costs and increasing profitability.
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Collaborative learning and outreach opportunities that provide hands on experience of riparian restoration, food production, and business management foster innovation and community.
Education is Key
Education plays a crucial role in any new project, and the Demonstration Farm is no exception. This project will target two important communities for outreach and education: students and farmers.
Students represent the future of farming, both as a vocation and as advocates. This project will help students learn where their food comes from. Local educators will develop age-appropriate curricula that support state-wide learning objective metrics.
Farmers will also be provided with an opportunity to evaluate innovative practices that they may want to implement on thier own lands.
Your Support makes a difference!
Thank you to all the sponsors of the Berggren Demonstration Farm project. With your support this farm will continue to help Oregon Farmers, and will be remembered for many years to come.
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