The Rogue Valley’s food and farm economy is vibrant and growing—agricultural sales have surged more than 60% since 2017, led by small-scale producers and strong community demand for local food. Farmers and food businesses are eager to expand, with over 40% ready to scale up and supply larger markets.

But growth comes with challenges. Ecosystem destabilization, limited land and labor, and critical infrastructure gaps—like processing, cold storage, and distribution—make it harder for producers to meet demand. Farmers also need better access to markets, funding, and support services to thrive in a changing economy.

This working group is focused on helping farmers and food entrepreneurs succeed by expanding markets, improving infrastructure, increasing access to resources, and creating meaningful careers in agriculture and food businesses. Together, we can strengthen the local food economy and ensure it remains a cornerstone of our region’s resilience.

 The Action Plan for group #2 focuses on helping farmers thrive, increasing local food supply and demand, and building careers in agriculture and food businesses.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN A WORKING GROUP

Read the executive summary below to learn more!