Wyden, Merkley, Hoyle Announce $435,000 to Oregon for Agricultural and Nutritional Education

July 19, 2024

Wyden, Merkley, Hoyle Announce $435,000 to Oregon for Agricultural and Nutritional Education

Programs in Eugene, Corvallis, Portland and Dallas earn USDA investments

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley with U.S. House Representative Val Hoyle today announced $435,335 in federal funds for Oregon agricultural and nutritional education programs that will establish farms, gardens, and experiences to help connect students with local food systems.

"Oregon excels at many things, but particularly in growing things and adding value to them," said Wyden. "Every year I visit Oregon's amazing counties growing our state's marvelous bounty and hear from farmers how more young people are needed in the agricultural sector. This federal investment addresses this gap, and brings more young Oregonians into the farming fold."

"The Farm to School program helps deliver nutritious meals to children by instilling healthy eating habits and investing in local farms," said Merkley. "These federal funds will directly benefit our local communities and support our state's world-class agriculture industry in the process-an all-around win for Oregon's future."

"Too many families live in food deserts and don't know how to access healthy, fresh food here in Oregon. This program gives children a hands-on opportunity to learn about local agriculture and how their food is grown," said Hoyle. "These lessons on healthy eating will not only help kids grow but will also support local farmers."

The federal investment is a part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm to School program, which promotes educational programs in Oregon and across the nation that teach children through hands-on experiences, such as planting, watering, and harvesting fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

The $435,335 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will be distributed in Oregon as follows:

• Bethel School District - Eugene: $49,964
• Boys & Girls Club of Corvallis - Corvallis: $39,450
• Corvallis Environmental Center - Corvallis : $100,000
• Friends of Zenger Farm - Portland: $97,140
• Grow Portland - Portland: $99,000
• Luckiamute Valley Charter School - Dallas: $49,781

"Building upon our 10+ years of relationships with local schools, this grant will support Grow Portland expanding beyond elementary Garden School programs and fill an identified gap in 6th-8th garden and school-based environmental education, creating a K-8 pipeline of food gardening education for primarily low-income, diverse students," said Michelle Welton, Executive Director of Grow Portland. "Grow Portland envisions a future where tending relationships with food and the land are central to the wellbeing of communities. Our Garden School programs move that vision forward by integrating school-day garden and environmental education programs with primarily low income students throughout Portland and building connections with the larger school communities."

"This year, Zenger Farm celebrates 25 years of cultivating health and sustainable agriculture. We are thrilled to be awarded a USDA farm to school grant to support our work in East Portland. Our project aims to enhance agricultural education for David Douglas School District students and families through seasonal farm trips, and pathways to agricultural careers. The project includes three farm trips for 5th graders, connections to our summer leadership and apprenticeship programs, and collaboration with the Nutrition Services team to improve food access and priorities. By connecting the dots between sustainable farming, community health, and education, Zenger Farm is not just growing food; we're nurturing the next generation of climate resilience innovators and food justice leaders," said Rob Cato, Executive Director at Zenger Farm.

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