We recently spoke with farmer Aaron Nichols of Stoneboat Farm about development pressure on farmland and the challenges of farming on the edge of two cities: Hillsboro and North Plains. Aaron is a first-generation farmer in his 11th season on this land. He grows a wide variety of vegetables and sells them through a CSA business, farmers markets, and wholesale accounts. 

Falling Sky Brewing has been part of Cheers to the Land each year, offering a Cascadian Dark Ale with spruce tips that is always a hit. This summer, OAT Communications Manager Sal Lopez chatted with Stephen Such, owner of Falling Sky, about the history and philosophy of the brewery, his favorite Oregon-grown ingredients, and why he feels committed to supporting land protection in our beautiful state.

The other day, our son fixed our toilet by learning how to do so on YouTube. When he asked me if he could try, I felt a little trepidation about a newly minted adult with no experience, but then thought: Why not? We can always call a plumber if he doesn’t fix it.

This is the third year of Cheers to the Land, and we couldn’t be more thrilled that Block 15 has been one of our partner breweries from the very beginning.  We asked Head Brewer Garrison Schmidt and Marketing & Creative Director Kelsea De Filippis to share how Block 15 practices sustainability and how they work with farmers to create their incredible craft beers.

Tess Baker, our Farm and Ranch Succession Advisor, recently attended a seminar on succession planning by Dick Wittman. She describes what she learned and why OAT is hosting him for two seminars this fall.

The other day, our son fixed our toilet by learning how to do so on YouTube. When he asked me if he could try, I felt a little trepidation about a newly minted adult with no experience, but then thought: Why not? We can always call a plumber if he doesn’t fix it.

We sat down recently with Oregon Women for Agriculture (OWA)’s current President, Sarah Puls to talk about her love of ag, vision for OWA, and what she wishes the general public understood about agriculture in Oregon.

“Oregon’s current farm owners have a lifetime of accumulated wisdom and assets. The full succession and estate plan is their opportunity to make a difference for their future family, their community, their industry, or any other cause they value.” - Sherri Noxel, PhD

It just so happens that advocating for OAHP was my first time engaging with legislators at the state capitol. I was nervous at first but, as OAT Executive Director Nellie McAdams shared with me, “It’s ok, you’ll learn through osmosis.” What was at first an intimidating concept turned out to be an eye-opening experience on the legislative process and the people that take part in it. 

When you live in a state like Oregon, or one of the many states around us, you've got a bounty of things from grain to hops to fruit and other ingredients that are used in beer. And, when you can go pick it up or get a smaller shipment from close by, and truly know the farmer, those things are great, but if we don't support and protect that ag land, we're going to be forced to get it from somewhere else and not from our home.

-Matt Van Wyk, Alesong Brewing & Blending

“From an early age, I valued the land and what it could provide for people and animals and wildlife.”

OAT member Matt Moffitt shares the origin of his appreciation of nature and land, and why he feels strongly about farmland protection.

“Moving from Kathmandu to Portland, where I am a junior economics major at Reed College, it wasn’t hard to see that there is a drastically different approach to urban planning and land use.”

Farmers and winemakers Jan Wallinder and Ron Webb share the story of their land, their reasons for a working land easement, and why they decided to work with OAT.

The word persist comes from the Latin sistere, to stand, and per, meaning through, steadfastly. It is a standing verb, not a moving one. To persist is “oak” as verb. The oak is a standing universe of connections, and is a touchstone of this land, its history and people. In founding the accord, we saw the oak as a catalyst for dissolving the perceived mutual exclusivity between agricultural productivity and the healthy habitat on which it depends.

This is a beautiful area, demand is high for affordable housing, and it’s even more profitable to build fancy second homes for folks who don’t live here. But once the land is paved over, it’s lost.

We recently spoke with Christian DeBenedetti, founder of Wolves & People Farmhouse Brewery in Newberg, Oregon about the vision and philosophy of his brewery, the intersections of agriculture and brewing, and what he hopes people will get out of participating in Cheers to the Land, OAT’s collaboration with brewers and farmers.

By Justin Ferrell

Last summer we stopped by Valley Falls, Oregon to visit rancher Justin Ferrell and discuss an easement on his ranch property. It was a windy day and the thick wildfire smoke obscured the view of Abert Rim. We sat at Justin’s table as he shared some of his thoughts about easements and Oregon agriculture.

By Marc Hudson

OAT’s Rangeland Program Director, Marc Hudson, attended the ALE Summit in Jacksonville, Florida to learn and improve on this important farmland protection tool.

By Diana Tourney

“For me, it's like peeling an onion. Layer by layer you get closer to what you want.”