Project Summary

For our 2024 Season we have been again been awarded an $8000 grant from the Upper Willamette Soil & Water Conservation District. The funds from this grant will be instrumental in expanding our membership and customer base, attracting more produce vendors and enabling neighborhood families from all income levels to purchase a wide variety of fresh, locally grown produce, value-added products and baked goods.

Key Project Components

(1) Fund a licensed chef who will prepare lunches in an inspected kitchen using local produce procured from market vendors. Lunches will be available at a discount for SNAP customers.

(2) Live music performances have been a key attraction each year since the founding of our market in 2009. Funds would be made available to fairly compensate musicians and our Music Coordinator.

(3) Market members as well as members of our community have in the past been invited to farm tours hosted by some of our farmers. Our farmers share info on crop cultivation and conservation strategies, including water use, composting and carbon sequestration, and demonstrate how one can apply these techniques on their own farm or garden. We would use funding to encourage and support participating farmers.

(4) Funding will also assist our Farmer Outreach efforts to increase both the quantity and the diversity of produce offered at the market by networking with farmers in our community.

(5) The South Willamette Valley is home to both the University of Oregon, Oregon State University and two prominent Community Colleges. Drawing from faculty and alumni as well as the business community and nonprofit institutions, we would use funds to host educational events that would focus on conservation-related topics such as soil health, home composting, pollinator-friendly plant choices, IPM strategies in the garden, irrigation, rainwater catchment and much more.

(6) Because our market is a membership-based organization, attracting and retaining members is essential for the health and vitality of the market. We would use funds to support the efforts of our Membership Coordinator in actively engaging with our membership.

(7) Funds would also help our publicity director increase the market’s visibility through advertising in local print and broadcast media and via posts on social media platforms. We would also be able to submit an advertisement promoting the market in the Willamette Farm and Food Coalition’s Locally Grown Guide. The publicity director could also assist in publishing a monthly newsletter, creating color flyers for posting at local food stores and community centers.

(8) Another popular component of our market is our Power of Produce kids booth. In addition to participating in fun educational activities, POP Club kids receive vouchers to spend at the market, providing them with an opportunity to meet and interact with farmers. Funds would be used to expand this popular program.

(9) Funds will also be allocated to sponsor an agricultural or conservation-related nonprofit to attend the market each week. In 2019 and 2023 we had Master Gardeners from the OSU extension service staff a booth at the market. Their enthusiasm and wealth of knowledge inspired interactions with our customers as well with as our produce vendors.

(10) To help facilitate the project components outlined above, funding would used to provide stipends for 8 volunteer positions. These individuals also serve on our Board of Directors:

• Market Manager
• Membership Coordinator
• Kids’ Activities (PoP Club)
• Publicity / Photography
• Music Coordinator
• Webmaster / Tech Support
• Infrastructure Coordinator
• Market Chef Committee Coordinator